How to get along with atheists?

[Gauntlet]

There's no avoiding them.

Sooner or later you'll run into someone or a group of someones who will try to destroy your faith. Either maliciously, condescendly or benignly. The enemies of God are our enemies, but as Christians we're challenged to love them. And as many atheists I've encountered online and IRL have been mean-spirited, arrogant and obnoxious. And intent on converting.

How to get along with atheists if they are absolutely intent on winning you over to their side? If they scorn and mock and taunt? Jesus told us to expect all that and more, did He not? Jesus told us to expect to be hated on account of Him ... after all, He was one one of the most hated men in Roman Palestine.

I am a timid, quiet person and I try to avoid conflict. Other personalities thrive on drama and confrontation, but not me.

The atheists I've come in contact with, mostly online, tend to be aggressive, loud & outspoken. With a missionary zeal all their own, they'll go to work on me until I quite the forum and flee with my tail between my legs. I hate feeling like a coward. I never was very assertive and people push me around because of that.


Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth ... or whatever's left of it.

[tt1106]

Good morning. I find Atheists to be just like Christians, there are some that study and know why they are Atheists and others that are Atheists because they choose to not know God, but they don't know why they are, as in if you ask them, they will simply attack you and call Christianity ridiculous.
If Christians were more knowledgeable they could defend those attacks with reasonable arguments and shut those people down, but unfortunately not enough of us are "studying" the word of God.
Thankfully Christian apologetics is growing and many people are embracing that field of study.
I agree that online personalities tend to be much more hostile than in real life.
But that's the internet.
I love debating with Atheists. It is very rewarding to use my brain. Thank the Lord he gave us one.

[Gauntlet]

tt1106,

Do you know of any good Apologetics books I might be able to find at a bookstore or library?

I hereby commit myself to the study of Christian Apologetics. I'd like to be able to hold my own in any debate.

[Followtheway]

Lee Strobels books (and youtube videos), Rob Bells books (and youtube videos), "The new evidence that demands a verdict" (and youtube videos), you can also go to the site "answersingenesis.com"

[HankZ]

tt1106,

Do you know of any good Apologetics books I might be able to find at a bookstore or library?

I hereby commit myself to the study of Christian Apologetics. I'd like to be able to hold my own in any debate.

Biblicaltraining.org is a great resource on appolagetics.

[tt1106]

If you have never read an Apologetics book.....I recommend evidence of Faith 101 or When God goes to Starbucks. Both are very Basic. (IMO)

"I don't have enough Faith to be an Atheist" by Geisler is more like a resource book than a book, but it is a very good book.

Lee Strobel has The case for Christ, The case for the Real jesus and the Case for a Creator.

I would also suggest The Dream Weaver by Ravi Zacharias. More than just a book on apologetics, it very much ties in the raw beauty and emotion that the Lord can provoke while still keeping a reasonable perspective.
Very powerful.

I also listen to podcasts form Apologetics.com, reasonable faith.org and come let us reason.

LOL......And the best book of course, the Bible.

As some other posters have suggested, there is plenty of stuff out there.

[Izdaari]

All of the apologetics books suggested so far are good, and I can add a few more to the list:

Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis
The Problem of Pain, C.S. Lewis
Miracles, C.S. Lewis
The Great Divorce, C.S. Lewis

The Everlasting Man, G.K. Chesterton

The Holman QuickSource Guide to Christian Apologetics, Doug Powell

Also, The Apologetics Study Bible (HCSB) is a good resource.


Now, how to get along with atheists...

I talk with atheists every day, both in real life and on message boards. We get along just fine. As with every conversation, the key is politeness and respect for the other person. But you don't necessarily have to go everywhere they want you to.

If you don't feel well prepared to debate a particular subject, or just aren't feeling like a debate that day, you can politely decline. Most of the time I am not interested in debate, though I do like interesting, thought-provoking conversation on most any topic. Don't allow yourself to be dragged or taunted into something you don't want to do.

[godhelpsall]

In my opinion, debate is the worst thing to do if your goal is to get along with atheists- at least passionate atheists.
Think about it from another perspective: If you want to get along with a mormon, you dont debate the authenticity of thier basic tenants- you agree to disagree and enjoy each others company and discussion on other topics.
I think that many believers have a hard time looking at things from another person's perspective. Atheists, at least the ones I know, are not mad at god, or are not searching for something more meaningful in life. They are as happy as believers are. The last thing they want is for a theist to try and convince them of things that they believe are ridiculous.
Not to mention the fact that debate on faith is stupid to begin with- the term faith in itself meanselief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence. You cant debate something when your point of view lacks proof, and expect to convince people of your possition. Also, you cant use the bible as proof to support the bible itself.

[crawfish]

* Treat them with respect.
* Listen honestly to their opinions.
* Don't be pushy.
* Walk the Christian walk in a way that honors God.

You won't reason many atheists into belief. You can soften their hearts to God and make them more open to the Word, though.

[Gauntlet]

Debating with atheists is tawdry, in my opinion. It's tawdry and cheap and it serves no purpose because it gets so nasty and petty. I'm willing to explain what my beliefs are to someone who's genuinely willing to listen. Atheists are listening not because they want to learn or grow but simply to figure out news ways to slander and disrespect you.

I'm perfectly fine with having people disagree with me in this regard, but not when all they want to do is fight an unwinnable battle of words and wits. I don't want it to be a battle. I understand how people can have resentment, even hatred for everything we stand for.

[ilovemetal]

They are as happy as believers are.

are they? really? cuz every non-believer i know searches for happiness in some form or another. drinking, weed, sex, computer games, etc...people can be 'happy', heck it's not hard, but to have true joy is a whole nother thing. the happiness only Jesus can offer. in fact i've talked about that with a few, asking them 'why do you do drugs or look at porn? is it because you think it will fill the void you have?'

things likea that...i guess. not meaning to argue your point, just a thought.

You cant debate something when your point of view lacks proof, and expect to convince people of your possition.

i've learned that 'proof' is a term thrown around lightly by athiests. there's no proof? i always get confused by that. using strict reason, we can prove it's more reasonable God does exist then not, (The ontological argument, cosmological argument, teleological argument, moral argument etc..)


wordup.

[livingwaters]

There is a site called www.livingwaters.com with Kirk Cameron, who starred in Fireproof and was an atheist, has published an Atheist Bible. It tells the atheist what they can't prove to disprove God...Amen.

You might want to check into it!

God Bless

PS It was their sight that inspired me
in choosing my username!

[Athanasius]

I'd stop considering them enemies...

[Izdaari]

I'd stop considering them enemies...

Yep! That's the first thing. It's hard to have a good conversation with someone you think of as the enemy.

[tt1106]

Keep in mind the words of Paul

"For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing;
to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things?For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God."

Who is adequate, we are not. Only through Christ can we reach the lost.

It is important that we love them to salvation.