Atheist/Agnostic Friends

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What’s the best way (besides prayer, of course) to help an atheist friend? I know of at least one person whose admitted somewhat to a belief in God, but not in “organized religion”. This person seems inclined to a Buddhist view, though I doubt he fully understands their beliefs. This person claims to have studied religion as a part of the school curriculum (sp?) but I can’t speak for the quality of that education. I’ve also heard the “I see no reason to believe” argument and would like to know of any helpful responses. What about someone, not neccessarily an atheist, who says that they just " don’t like ‘the system’ "?

( it might be helpful to add that these people are mostly 16-17 yrs old)

Any helpful question to get them thinking a bit?

Any help and prayers would be appreciated:)
 
Speaking as a friendly agnostic, don’t proselytize where it hasn’t been asked for. If one of your friends asks about your beliefs, go right ahead, but don’t feel like you have to pressure them into accepting Christianity. That’s an excellent way to stop being their friend.
 
Atheist here, and I agree with Mirdath. Why not just treat them like normal people? Most of us have no desire to convert people to atheism/agnosticism or to be actively converted/proselytized to. Preaching will likely not be well received. You will get better results if you show that you respect their right to their religious beliefs (or lack thereof) and expect the same respect to be shown for your religious beliefs.
 
As a Catholic with a few agnostic friends, I agree with the other posts. Treat them like everyone else. If they want to discuss it, do so without preaching or judgement. Find out why they hold to that position, don’t assume it is because they want to live alife contrary to the Gospel.

One of my professors in college was agnostic. Well, I know more than one was, but I had several classes with this one and his wife and was fairly close to them socially. Anyway, one day a street preacher was out in front of the library yelling and shouting about how we were all going to hell and such. The professor went out there and using only the scriptures, silenced him. He knew the Bible better than the preacher! I asked why he did it and he said "Judge not lest ye be judged.’ For the first time, I asked him why he was agnostic, and he just said “because of guys like that.”
 
When I saw the title to this thread I smiled…then after I read it I laughed…I know some Agnostic Friends…and even a Friend who claims to be “atheist”…by “atheist” he means he does not believe in the anthropromorphic view of deity…he reject a big "Santa Claus in the sky looking down on who’s naughty or nice…making a list of all their sins and checking it twice…and “coming to town” in some far off future to judge them.

Even my “atheist” and “agnostic” friends who happen to be Friends believe in the Light Within and offer ministry through the guidence of the Spirit as they are moved…both of them serve in soup kitchens to “the least of these.”
 
Well as a Christian,
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I can not in my love of mankind not offer them the truth of God and Christ.  I cannot call my self a friend and leave them in ignorance.
Now if the subject comes up, which can present itself in many forms, be prepared to share why you believe and what you believe. You would not let someone drink and drive just to keep them as a friend. If you are Christian that is the difference between us and others. God desires that none be lost.

I have begun with the teachings of Romans 2:13-16. Become familiar with it. If I am not mistaken Buddhist do not believe in a God. So as you can see this friend may be seeking but in the wrong place. There is a opportunity. Read some of Pauls work with the Romans. Knowing how intelligent they were he had to present a case to get them to really think.

St. Patrick’s relationship with the Celts is really a wonder.
Its sketchy but the conversion of the vikings is really enlightening.

If you are showing the genuin love for their salvation many will listen. You will be surprised just how many people who claim not to believe are truelly seeking the author of the laws writtten on their hears from the beginning. Romans 2:15

One time I had a discussion with some one ove abortion. She was an aetheis. When I mentioned to her that there was scripture that God knew us in the womb. That John the Bbabtist lept in his mothers womb at the approching of his Lord. Her own reaction shocked her. She had just never known there were such a reference in the bible to such thing. She began a slow walk to really wanting to know that which she was so ignorant.
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Realize that many people only know a slanted or completely propaganised few of the Lord.  Look at Christopher Hitchens.  He critisises a self fabricated god and teachings then writes books on how awful our God and religion is.  

Keeping silent on the most important thing is not what Christ wants you to do.  So in your deeds, words and love you should be preaching and sharing.  What else can your heart bear to do?
Your friends will not hate you for it. If in all you do is for the Glory of God you may find you open the way for another.

Lord have mercy!
 
S_V7 said:
. I’ve also heard the “I see no reason to believe” argument and would like to know of any helpful responses. What about someone, not neccessarily an atheist, who says that they just " don’t like ‘the system’ "?

( it might be helpful to add that these people are mostly 16-17 yrs old)

Any helpful question to get them thinking a bit?

Any help and prayers would be appreciated:)
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 Refernce your last two points.  Again Romans 2"11 is a good opener.  Paul had such an approach in presenting the gospel.  People don't normally want to be ignorant about life.  sometimes its easy to present to them why they are not equipped to navigatethrough this life and why christ knows that.  Thus the reason to believe and the system he provided to grow on the knowledge.  They go to through our school system and have to go through all types of licenseing systems.  If they travel they will deal with the customs system and the postal and on an on.  So why expect to have no system by which to develope our spiritual selves?   Most likey if you don't understand what it is you are getting from it the "system" is just incomprehsible or meaningless or they are put off by it.  
For alot of people the boot camp system of the military is not liked.  However once they complete it they understand why it was neccessary.
Just an example by which to get them to approach it.

Why believe?, Well present the “in the beginning…”, Let them then see if they have thoughts on a purpose in life. Going through life being blown by what ever comes your way is not often appealing.
Get them thinking about these important things and they may want to learn more. And once again do this with the same love that Christ loved the Church.
 
S_V7 said:
What’s the best way (besides prayer, of course) to help an atheist friend? I know of at least one person whose admitted somewhat to a belief in God, but not in “organized religion”. This person seems inclined to a Buddhist view, though I doubt he fully understands their beliefs. This person claims to have studied religion as a part of the school curriculum (sp?) but I can’t speak for the quality of that education. I’ve also heard the “I see no reason to believe” argument and would like to know of any helpful responses. What about someone, not neccessarily an atheist, who says that they just " don’t like ‘the system’ "?

( it might be helpful to add that these people are mostly 16-17 yrs old)

Any helpful question to get them thinking a bit?

Any help and prayers would be appreciated:)
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The best way is to show respect for your friend’s thoughts and try to listen to him. Being a follower of Christ - a Christian - involves living like Him, and among other things that means to show God’s love to all human beings.

Perhaps your friend has some problems in his past which has given a negative view on God and the Church. Try to ask why he doesn’t like the system and why he finds it “unreasonable” to believe.

The way you put it, I think he is curious and maybe even fascinated by religious life. Instead of scaring him away with a lot of words, try to be a real friend and at the same time don’t be afraid of being open about your faith, answer all questions he might have honestly.

Show your friend what Christian faith is all about by trying to be like Christ.
 
Speak the truth to them, explain your beliefs when they ask, and love them. Also, be sure that your live shows that you truly believe in the words of Jesus. If nothing else, I find most agnostics and atheists will at least respect believers who act like believers. Besides that, just pray and fast for their conversion.
 
If the atheists/agnostics are reasonable people, they will acknowledge that you have a moral responsibility to tell them about Christ. You are, after all, concerned about their immortal souls.

I grew up with the whole Bible-beating televangelist stuff, and this stuff continues today. So I can appreciate how harsh a loud proselytization can get, how unpleasant and offputting.

I think actually that’s a quiet secret of the Catholic Church’s charm: there’s not much arm-pulling, arm-twisting, obnoxious door to door stuff.
 
Kevin42 said:
Speak the truth to them, explain your beliefs when they ask, and love them. Also, be sure that your live shows that you truly believe in the words of Jesus. If nothing else, I find most agnostics and atheists will at least respect believers who act like believers. Besides that, just pray and fast for their conversion.
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In addition to what I said earlier, pay attention to this guy. He’s right on the money.

Maxply, Vintagecoils, do you remind your friends to brush their teeth and eat their broccoli too? Chances are we’ve heard it already. If someone isn’t interested in being missionaried at, don’t do it – and don’t assume silence implies assent. I realize you are supposed to be fishers of men and your brothers’ keepers and all that, but most of these fish have nibbled (or been caught and released) and in the words of Public Enemy, brothers gonna work it out. If we’re interested, we’ll probably ask. If we don’t ask, have a little class and don’t push it (this is all, of course, assuming the potential evangelist wants to keep those friends – if evangelism is more important than friendship, welp, all bets are off).
 
Just out of curiosity…what IS the difference between atheism and agnostic (if there is any). I know that an athiest does not believe in God, but I am not sure of the proper deffinition of an agnostic! Thanks~just wondering!
 
wifenmommy said:
Just out of curiosity…what IS the difference between atheism and agnostic (if there is any). I know that an athiest does not believe in God, but I am not sure of the proper deffinition of an agnostic! Thanks~just wondering!
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Agnosticism is the position that the divine may or may not exist, but we don’t know for sure either way. Some agnostics, myself included, consider the question unanswerable by mere humans.
 
Well even as a cradle christian myself, i sometime find it hard to chat with Atheist especially when we talk about God…I always got bomb by them…:o so in the end i choose to ignore what they said, if they continue to bomb me…otherwise it will become an argument…sick of it…however i believe i won’t find a partner who is an atheist…very difficult for me
 
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