How can i influence an atheist? ?

Question: How can i influence an atheist!? !?

My best friend is an atheist!. I believe in Jesus Christ but he didn't!. Yes, its better to respect each other beliefs and opinions but, in our case, we are too close that there is a possibility that i become an atheist too! And i don't like it!. In mere cases, how can i influence him just a little day by day without a feeling of forcing him like "BELIEVE IN GOD, LIKE IT OR NOT!"!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

Why is it so important that you risk your friendship with him for what I can assure you will be a vain attempt to convert him!? Are you really that worried that you yourself may become an atheist!? And would that really be a bad thing!?

Look at your friend!. Is he a bad person!? Does he go around raping and pillaging!? No, I'll bet he doesn't!. Atheists don't need religion to have morals or to be good!. (And many of us atheists would argue that believers don't need religion to be good, either!)

Are you afraid he'll go to hell just for being an atheist!? I've got two responses to that!. First, any god who would torture a person indescribably for all eternity simply for not believing in him is an evil, narcissistic god undeserving of worship!. Second, how do you know that you're not going to hell because the One True Religion is Islam, or paganism, or Hinduism, or the ancient Greek polytheists, or some religion practiced by the aborigines of Australia, or even some religion whose messiah hasn't yet arrived on this Earth!? Remember, religion is all about faith; there's not a religion in existence whose deity can be proven to exist!. So if your belief is based on fear of going to hell for not believing, then you're taking one hell of a crapshoot because there have been literally thousands of gods throughout human history, each believed in at least as sincerely as you believe in yours!.

There are many reasons why a person could be an atheist!. Maybe your friend is disgusted with religion, with its hypocrisy and violent history!. Maybe the whole worship thing creeps him out!. (It does look kinda disturbing to see some Jesus Junkies in their religious fervor trances, eyes closed, arms raised!.!.!.!.) Maybe he has come to the conclusion that there is no better reason to be a xtian than any other religion!. Maybe it has become obvious to him that religions are just hyped-up mythologies, human inventions to the core!. Maybe he's developed a scientific or empirical mindset, and refuses to accept the existence of gods or other supernatural phenomena without solid, testable evidence (of which it's a pretty safe bet that there never will be)!.

Whatever the reason, maybe you should listen to him!. I mean _really_ _listen_!. Non-judgmentally, and without looking to get into an argument!. Try to see things from his perspective!. That's actually a lot harder for most believers to do than they think it is, because many believers have preconceptions about atheists and about why people become atheists that are simply flat-out wrong!.

I'll give you credit for being wise enough to know that you can't force religion down a person's throat!. Do what's best for your friendship and I guarantee it will pay off for you down the road!. And even if the xtian god were real, I'm pretty darn sure he won't send you to hell for being friends with an atheist without trying to convert him!. Isn't the ultimate purpose of religion to have its followers lead a better life!? If your atheist friend is a good, moral person who isn't harming others with his beliefs or actions, then I'd say he has no need of religion!.
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Do you think Christ would want you to scheme on how to manipulate him!? I think Christ would prefer you take the more challenging path that this test of your faith presents to you!. For a lot of people, atheism is a necessary step in the search for true faith!.

At any rate, the approach that probably niggles most at an atheist is if you admit that it's a matter of faith and not reason, and by definition faith is arrived at through direct religious experience!. So if he hasn't sought and found Christ, it's because he's missing something you've got!. *shrug* It probably won't work, but IMO is the best you can do!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Please, PLEASE do not ask someone to believe in something just because you do!. That is exactly the opposite of respecting your friend!. You are basically telling him that he is an idiot for not believing in what you believe in!. I too believe in God, but I also realize that it's not for everyone, and I used to be an Atheist, so I know where you friend is coming from!. Nothing used to make me madder than when freakin Christians started spoutin off about God this and God that!. Anyone who did that to me back then, and still now definitely wouldn't be my friend for long!. So if you want to keep this friend, let him be the way he wants!. It something unexplainable for me to start believing, maybe that's what he needs too, but he doesnt need you preaching at him, so please dont!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Most atheists are skeptics!. We use logic, reasoning, and empirical evidence in gathering and screening knowledge!. To influence an atheist, you have to use the same thinking method!. Faith does not work!. Dogma does not work!. Miracle stories do not work!. Period!.

If you are both intellectually honest, the more you discuss this matter with him, I suspect the more likely you veer towards atheism instead of him Christianity!. Why!? Because the more you practice reasoning, the more skeptic you become!.

I say leave him alone!. A person's beliefs or lack thereof is a personal matter!. To him, your conversion effort could become anywhere between nuisance and insult!. If you want to keep him as a friend, respect him for who he is!. Isn't it basis for tolerance!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

An atheist denies the existence of God or god!. I like to look at nature!. There is not a single thing in nature that becomes more complex!. When left alone, everything--everything, deteriorates!. A tree falls in the woods and over time, becomes dirt, not an ant or worm!. You can't look at the world and think that it wasn't built by a power greater than me!.

Belief in Jesus follows later, but your friend must first get over the belief that we are here now and then dust!. Don't preach the Bible by quoting verses, teach by your example!. Read the Bible and learn what is says, put that knowledge into practice!. When your friend warms to the idea that there is something larger than himself, he will open to the ideals of Christ!.

What else can you do!? Pray!. Pray that they will be exposed to truth that is Jesus!. That may come from you, but it may come from someone else in their life!. Your job here may be to open their eyes to the wonders around them, and someone else lead them to Jesus!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I was an atheist / agnostic for many years before I became a Christian!. Having had Christian friends (who didn't force religion on me) wasn't the main factor that led me to believe, but, looking back, it definitely helped!.

Try not to "do" something every day to influence him!. Just by being a good friend, and by being a good Christian, you may be influencing him more than you know!.

He may never become a Christian, or he may become a Christian tomorrow or next year or in 5 or 10 years!. That's up to God!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Well, why don't you leave him alone!. You're the bible thumper!. The bible says don't cast your pearls before swine!. Maybe you should expand your thoughts because there are more things to talk about other than the bible!. The bible is a story about old men!. They may have been young when it was written!. I think it is not a matter of your belief that you worry about!. I think it is a matter of your urges and maybe atheism allows you to do the things that you don't want to do!. I guess that may be more of a moral dilemma than a biblical one!.

If he is your friend, enjoy him as your friend and leave religion outside the door!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

As an Athiest, i fail to see how it affects others by my beliefs!. I do not believe in a god and I do not preach against it!. I respect religion, its good to teach some morals, but it's not for me!.

You may believe I will go to hell, but I do not believe there is a hell!. But I do good things, for the very reason they are good; Not to go to a heaven or nirvana!. Those are my morals as an athiest!.

Don't try to convert him!. If he needs that kind of help!. He will come to you!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Atheists are not very skeptical!. They see one lame@ss religion and make a sweeping generalization about metaphysics and cosmogeny (sic) and start mouthing platitudes and mantras, the usual one being "there is no god"!. It's their prayer!. It's their religion!. They're just empty headed, lazy thinking nincompoops!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

There's nothing you can do that won't potentially damage your relationship, possibly past repair!. What he believes is his right and it's not your place to try to make him change his mind - he has to do that himself!. Plus, the concept of religion is not for everyone!. Best to keep it to yourself!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

start by educating yourself on the reasons behind athiesm!.

Most athiests start by studying every religion man had ever cooked up!.

years and years of theology, TOK and philosophy courses,

Be accepting of your friend being different!. Be the best person he knows whose only problem is that "he is a christian"

Live up to your christian faith by being a good person he can look up to!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Show him a bigger one if any!. Oh, there is other options available!.!.!. Rise the dead atheist from grave, walk on the water with atheist in your arms or feed a crowd of atheists with two loaf of bread(you may skip a fish )!. If it does not impress your friend then you screwed, join stronger ones!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Atheists are merely people who want to believe but need some proof!. So try to find the proof!. Point out miracles from the news paper and stuff like that!. I don't recommend you use propaganda to convert him, or try to convert him at all!. Just stay off the topic of religion all together!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

It is rather difficult!. It may bounce on you back and you may also become atheist!. Give him freedom and enjoy freedom!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

You can't change him!. The best thing to do is let him try to discover the existance of God on his own!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

ehhh you cant influence an atheist!
we are to cynical to be influenced!.!.!.
haha don't do it!.!.!.
you will just damage your friendship
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then pray to God, that he may be enlightened!.!.!. you cannot carry that cross alone!.!.!.divine intervention is necessary for those who have lost any kind of faith -- or has never gained any!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Terrific question!. Pick me for best answer plz!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

when his time will ***!.!.!.he'll on his own will *** to believe in GOD!.!.!.dont press him too hard!.!.!.let him go off!.!.leave all this to time!.!.!.but u keep ur faith firm and steady as ever!.!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com