Catholics have you ever helped an atheist become a theist?
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Prayerman
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Yip I helped a family member reconvert to Catholicism. She had gone off with 'life is a hiologram crowd etc I sent her a book as well perhaps not catholic but it helped i think but so did the prayers It was 'The Delusion of Disbelief. Brother is an atheist now but praying for him too. He went off the charts with the Dawkins anti Sister Teresa fans . Refuses to read books like the above mentioned. I know learned people that are atheists but at the mention of God and Jesus they raise their voice and become violent its not easy without the help of God. Nothing is easy without His help.
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Glark
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A lapsed-Catholic brother-in-law of mine reacts very angrily to the mention of God; he just about froths at the mouth in rage. Sometimes atheists are so far gone that all one can do is pray for them.
Re the OP, it’s possible that something one has has said (or done) has planted a seed of faith in the mind and soul of an atheist one has encountered; a seed that may take many years to germinate.
Re the OP, it’s possible that something one has has said (or done) has planted a seed of faith in the mind and soul of an atheist one has encountered; a seed that may take many years to germinate.
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Prayerman
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The frothing at the mouth is often due to the religious belief in disbelief or angerr at hearing the name of someone they believe was never there for them.
It becones a form of religion in itself so that you are discrediting their faith by mentioning the existence of a creator.
One thing i did notice is that someone like this will often if not always look at you as setting the example of what it means to be a Christian.
So if you become angry, shout etc it wont help them see the light.
You can tell them you never claimed to be perfect that’s why you are a Christian and accept Jesus as your saviour and that worked for family member but some will still expect exemplary behaviour at all times.
You can’t become a weight to rest of family in the form of worries because you are unemployed for example, suddenly you are just bone lazy and yet preaching the gospel and so forth so this will be part of the backlash often…
I now solely receive help from our Lord and master the Almighty.
I earn through playing guitar and singing and was down and out but now surviving on playing guitar and singing.
The Lord Jesus is mighty in every way.
It becones a form of religion in itself so that you are discrediting their faith by mentioning the existence of a creator.
One thing i did notice is that someone like this will often if not always look at you as setting the example of what it means to be a Christian.
So if you become angry, shout etc it wont help them see the light.
You can tell them you never claimed to be perfect that’s why you are a Christian and accept Jesus as your saviour and that worked for family member but some will still expect exemplary behaviour at all times.
You can’t become a weight to rest of family in the form of worries because you are unemployed for example, suddenly you are just bone lazy and yet preaching the gospel and so forth so this will be part of the backlash often…
I now solely receive help from our Lord and master the Almighty.
I earn through playing guitar and singing and was down and out but now surviving on playing guitar and singing.
The Lord Jesus is mighty in every way.
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Prayerman
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The frothing at the mouth is often due to the religious belief in disbelief or angerr at hearing the name of someone they believe was never there for them.
It becones a form of religion in itself so that you are discrediting their faith by mentioning the existence of a creator.
One thing i did notice is that someone like this will often if not always look at you as setting the example of what it means to be a Christian.
So if you become angry, shout etc it wont help them see the light.
You can tell them you never claimed to be perfect that’s why you are a Christian and accept Jesus as your saviour and that worked for family member but some will still expect exemplary behaviour at all times.
You can’t become a weight to rest of family in the form of worries because you are unemployed for example, suddenly you are just bone lazy and yet preaching the gospel and so forth so this will be part of the backlash often…
I now solely receive help from our Lord and master the Almighty.
I earn through playing guitar and singing and was down and out but now surviving on playing guitar and singing.
The Lord Jesus is mighty in every way.
It becones a form of religion in itself so that you are discrediting their faith by mentioning the existence of a creator.
One thing i did notice is that someone like this will often if not always look at you as setting the example of what it means to be a Christian.
So if you become angry, shout etc it wont help them see the light.
You can tell them you never claimed to be perfect that’s why you are a Christian and accept Jesus as your saviour and that worked for family member but some will still expect exemplary behaviour at all times.
You can’t become a weight to rest of family in the form of worries because you are unemployed for example, suddenly you are just bone lazy and yet preaching the gospel and so forth so this will be part of the backlash often…
I now solely receive help from our Lord and master the Almighty.
I earn through playing guitar and singing and was down and out but now surviving on playing guitar and singing.
The Lord Jesus is mighty in every way.
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Lia
Guest
My brother convinced me to believe in God, then to become Christian, then finally Catholic. He used philosophical arguments mostly but what really convinced me is the story of the Saints and apparitions of Mary.
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Lia
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The fact that Saints can suffer so much and still be happy. This is only possible if they believe in Jesus without a doubt, and it helps me grow in my faith as well. Reading the diaries and writings of Saints like Thérèse of Lisieux and St Faustina is very inspiring and humbling. Especially near the end of their life, dying from Tuberculosis is slow and painful, but they see it as a way to connect with Jesus’ suffering on the cross and gladly offer it as a sacrifice to God.
My favourite apparition is the Fatima apparitions of 1917. I love that the children are so innocent and genuinely concerned for the souls of sinners. They would torture themselves for the conversion of sinners. I find it quite impossible that they could be lying about seeing Mary and being shown the horrors of Hell. You can read about the “sacrifice of the rope” here:
Also the tilma of Guadalupe is the most miraculous image and convincing proof of Catholicism.
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These are the main ones, but its many of these stories that add up, like the origin of the Divine Mercy image, the scapulars and the Rosary that makes Catholicism > Protestantism.
Also, if you are interested in philosophical arguments for theism over atheism, this guy was very helpful. He is a protestant but also a good apologist.
“https://www.youtube.com/user/InspiringPhilosophy”
My favourite apparition is the Fatima apparitions of 1917. I love that the children are so innocent and genuinely concerned for the souls of sinners. They would torture themselves for the conversion of sinners. I find it quite impossible that they could be lying about seeing Mary and being shown the horrors of Hell. You can read about the “sacrifice of the rope” here:
Also the tilma of Guadalupe is the most miraculous image and convincing proof of Catholicism.
“
These are the main ones, but its many of these stories that add up, like the origin of the Divine Mercy image, the scapulars and the Rosary that makes Catholicism > Protestantism.
Also, if you are interested in philosophical arguments for theism over atheism, this guy was very helpful. He is a protestant but also a good apologist.
“https://www.youtube.com/user/InspiringPhilosophy”
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IWantGod
Guest
You can’t change anyone. All you can do is state your case. As soon as you make it about you, that is when you have lost the argument. Human beings are complicated emotional creatures. We are imperfect and cannot possibly save anybody’s soul. All we can do is plant the seed.
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Escabrosa
Guest
I was an outspoken atheist for years until I returned to the Church a little over two years ago. I wasn’t angry and most atheists I knew weren’t either. For a great many it’s simply a lack of belief in any deity for lack of evidence. Mostly rational people who don’t venture past materialism.
I think the biggest hurdle to get over is the idea that most theists think God is some anthropomorphic magical figure in the ether, otherwise know as a sky daddy. A benevolent bearded man in the sky, so to speak. This is the version of God that most atheists, to include Hawkins and Harris argue against, and for good reason. A lot of Christians and other theists seem to have a superficial understanding of God. Fortunately, for me anyway, the Catholic Church does not.
I think the biggest hurdle to get over is the idea that most theists think God is some anthropomorphic magical figure in the ether, otherwise know as a sky daddy. A benevolent bearded man in the sky, so to speak. This is the version of God that most atheists, to include Hawkins and Harris argue against, and for good reason. A lot of Christians and other theists seem to have a superficial understanding of God. Fortunately, for me anyway, the Catholic Church does not.
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Escabrosa
Guest
Since returning to the Church I have talked with my 2 adult sons about my beliefs. I raised both of them to think critically and to questions religion. I think it’s fair to say they were both atheists, until recently.
While I never tried to convert them, I did tell them why I returned to the Church and gave rational and practical reasons for it. We had a couple of pretty long conversations, but I never pushed.
Both have recently asked to go to Mass with me, and both are interested in learning more. My youngest son wants to attend RCIA and is waiting for the next class to begin. My oldest is a theater sound specialist and got a job in a prestigious Catholic college prep school. He runs the sound board for some of the Masses and has met our local Bishop. He’s quite fond of the nuns who run the school as well.
While neither have fully committed, they are certainly on their way.
While I never tried to convert them, I did tell them why I returned to the Church and gave rational and practical reasons for it. We had a couple of pretty long conversations, but I never pushed.
Both have recently asked to go to Mass with me, and both are interested in learning more. My youngest son wants to attend RCIA and is waiting for the next class to begin. My oldest is a theater sound specialist and got a job in a prestigious Catholic college prep school. He runs the sound board for some of the Masses and has met our local Bishop. He’s quite fond of the nuns who run the school as well.
While neither have fully committed, they are certainly on their way.
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Aquinas
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Does myself count? 
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clarkgamble1
Guest
I’ve found it impossible to do. All my attempts have failed because all
I have are beliefs I have memorized as told me by nuns, priests and eventually college professors. Where my atheists friends have logic and critical reasoning which does not rely on rote memorization of beliefs that either don’t make logical sense or are too fantastic to ever believe. I have given up trying to convert any such people.
I have are beliefs I have memorized as told me by nuns, priests and eventually college professors. Where my atheists friends have logic and critical reasoning which does not rely on rote memorization of beliefs that either don’t make logical sense or are too fantastic to ever believe. I have given up trying to convert any such people.
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