For My Atheists

[Julia_Mae]

Atheists usually hang out n the philosophy areas of religious forums, so I know you are out there. I call you “my atheists” because I adopt you all and pray for you. I want to share a quote with you all and ask you to do something.

Quote:

“Whoever prays is certainly saved. He who does not is certainly damned. All the blessed (except infants) have been saved by prayer. All the damned have been lost through not praying. If they had prayed they would not have been lost. And this is, and will be their greatest torment in hell: to think how easily they might have been saved, just by asking God for His grace, but that now it is too late - their time of prayer is gone.” - St Alphonsus Liguori, doctor of the Church

Request:

You know, it’s possible that there is a great and merciful being in the Universe that people call God. Now, you and I can’t unde stand how the world can be what it is and that be true, that God is merciful and loving, but let’s just say, well, maybe we just can’t understand.

So, just privately, could you please pray? Not that often, if you hate it, but just maybe ask God, if He is there, to somehow forgive your rejection and anger and doubt and help you find Him when you pass? Maybe ask for help for the more horrible aspects of the world? That’d be nice.

You can yell at Him, if you want, He just wants to hear from you. I just don’t want you getting lost, is all. I’ll still be praying for you, in any case.

God bless you abundantly.

 

[Kismetji]

Since I’m a Hindu, is this to refer to me as well?

Thanks, I guess.

 

[Bohm_Bawerk]

You know, it’s possible that there is a great and merciful being in the Universe that people call God. Now, you and I can’t unde stand how the world can be what it is and that be true, that God is merciful and loving, but let’s just say, well, maybe we just can’t understand.

So, just privately, could you please pray? Not that often, if you hate it, but just maybe ask God, if He is there, to somehow forgive your rejection and anger and doubt and help you find Him when you pass? Maybe ask for help for the more horrible aspects of the world? That’d be nice.

You can yell at Him, if you want, He just wants to hear from you. I just don’t want you getting lost, is all. I’ll still be praying for you, in any case.

Thank you for your concern and kind gesture, but it was in fact the ineffectiveness of prayer that was the primary reason that led me to conclude that there is no God. I’ll be reserving my time for more productive activities.

 

[NewsTheMan]

It is dangerous to take that quote from St.Alphonsus out of context. He is talking to, and about, Catholics. In a general sense it’s about luke-warm souls. I’m sure you know that, but it’s important to recognize that because your post makes it sound as if all you need to do as an atheist (or Hindu, etc) is pray and God will forgive you and you can be saved. Not true. For an atheist it is near impossible to be saved, for those of other faiths they must convert. Outside of the Church there is no salvation. It is understood that one is saved if one responds to the grace of God fully, and this can be done through prayer. What would responding to the grace of God look like? Part of it, for a non-Catholic, would be to convert to the Catholic faith (unless of course, this is impossible, God works within what is possible, so for a pagan who has never seen anybody but his own tribemates, responding to God’s grace would involve something else). For the everyday atheist, including those on this board (in fact, especially those on this board) prayer will lead them to the Church. If it doesn’t, they are rejecting God’s grace and as such are placing themselves outside the Church and thus they cannot be saved.

 

[Kismetji]

For the everyday atheist, including those on this board (in fact, especially those on this board) prayer will lead them to the Church. If it doesn’t, they are rejecting God’s grace and as such are placing themselves outside the Church and thus they cannot be saved.

I feel it is important for people like me (who believe that people like you hold to false beliefs) should depart from any illusions of pluralism and indeed elaborate on this Difference. Flesh it out and enhance it, for clarity’s sake, and our own view to what the truth is in our own eyes.

 

[Moses_Goldman]

Atheists usually hang out n the philosophy areas of religious forums, so I know you are out there. I call you “my atheists” because I adopt you all and pray for you. I want to share a quote with you all and ask you to do something.

Quote:

Request:

You know, it’s possible that there is a great and merciful being in the Universe that people call God. Now, you and I can’t unde stand how the world can be what it is and that be true, that God is merciful and loving, but let’s just say, well, maybe we just can’t understand.

So, just privately, could you please pray? Not that often, if you hate it, but just maybe ask God, if He is there, to somehow forgive your rejection and anger and doubt and help you find Him when you pass? Maybe ask for help for the more horrible aspects of the world? That’d be nice.

You can yell at Him, if you want, He just wants to hear from you. I just don’t want you getting lost, is all. I’ll still be praying for you, in any case.

God bless you abundantly.

You do realize, by persisting in saying that atheists are suffering from rejection, anger and doubt - you are setting up a straw man and not getting to the real issue? I know more theists who are suffering from rejection, anger and doubt than atheists. It is a popular apologists trick to play to emotions and suggest someone would believe in God were they not emotionally compromised. Not effective. Not squaring with reality.

 

[DJK100]

You do realize, by persisting in saying that atheists are suffering from rejection, anger and doubt - you are setting up a straw man and not getting to the real issue? I know more theists who are suffering from rejection, anger and doubt than atheists. It is a popular apologists trick to play to emotions and suggest someone would believe in God were they not emotionally compromised. Not effective. Not squaring with reality.

Geez Guys, she is just trying to do a good thing. I don’t think she was expecting an attack or a discussion on this. She was just saying she was going to pray for atheists and would like them to pray as well.

Why can’t we all leave it at that?

 

[ASimon]

Geez Guys, she is just trying to do a good thing. I don’t think she was expecting an attack or a discussion on this. She was just saying she was going to pray for atheists and would like them to pray as well.

Why can’t we all leave it at that?

Well, not exactly. She said she was praying for “her atheists” - the folks that she’s taken it upon herself to ‘adopt’ and spiritually save. Whether they like it or not. Because, after all, she’s on a mission from God.

I have no doubt she means well, but do believers really think this is the sort of talk that wins converts, even among those who are more inclined to buy what’s being sold?

 

[Moses_Goldman]

Well, not exactly. She said she was praying for “her atheists” - the folks that she’s taken it upon herself to ‘adopt’ and spiritually save. Whether they like it or not. Because, after all, she’s on a mission from God.

I have no doubt she means well, but do believers really think this is the sort of talk that wins converts, even among those who are more inclined to buy what’s being sold?

It’s actually rather presuming and snooty if you really look deep. To assume that atheists are miserable and maladjusted… when in reality, it is more often people of faith that are in that boat.

If you really want to get honest about things.

It’s on a par with voting for candidates who are into nation building outside the USA, but won’t lift a finger to improve the lives of US citizens

 

[Al_Moritz]

I have no doubt she means well, but do believers really think this is the sort of talk that wins converts, even among those who are more inclined to buy what’s being sold?

No I don’t. She means well, but I am afraid her effort is misguided.

 

[Al_Moritz]

I have no doubt she means well, but do believers really think this is the sort of talk that wins converts, even among those who are more inclined to buy what’s being sold?

No, I don’t.

 

[Cryptic1]

First of all, let me applaud you, Julia Mae, for your sincere attempts to reach out to the lost sheep. I would wish that more believers and followers of Jesus Christ would open their hearts to those who are truly ignorant about God and His desire to see all men saved.

I am a Christian who believes that, as easy as it is to say a sinner’s prayer to receive salvation, true repentance or turning away from sin is also necessary to obtain that promise. I have come to believe that all peoples can receive salvation if they will turn to God for help (in prayer) and also accept Jesus as Savior (make him king of your life).

Jesus, when he preached to the crowds, spoke of himself as “the Good Shepherd” of the lost sheep (sinners), and as “the Way, the Truth and the Life”. He stressed the fact that he was the only door to salvation as he said, “no one comes to the Father except through me”. I believe that as long as you belong to a church (Catholic, Protestant, Pentecostal, Baptist, etc.) that professes Jesus as Savior and one that follows God’s Word (the bible), Jesus himself will lead you to your salvation.

Listen to the promptings of your heart. If you feel in any way that you are being drawn to know more about God, this is God’s grace and mercy touching you. God desires nothing more than the salvation of all mankind and this is only possible when we cry out to him and let his son Jesus show us the way.

God Rocks

 

[Ohana]

Geez Guys, she is just trying to do a good thing. I don’t think she was expecting an attack or a discussion on this. She was just saying she was going to pray for atheists and would like them to pray as well.

Why can’t we all leave it at that?

 

[carn]

Well, not exactly. She said she was praying for “her atheists” - the folks that she’s taken it upon herself to ‘adopt’ and spiritually save. Whether they like it or not. Because, after all, she’s on a mission from God.

I have no doubt she means well, but do believers really think this is the sort of talk that wins converts, even among those who are more inclined to buy what’s being sold?

I cannot say what people think, but i can testify, that a “why don’t you just try and pray to God asking for his help to understand?” has contributed to a process, that might be classified as a conversion process, in the order of 5%±3% to the entire process, wherein this number is to be understood as a rough estimate by the subject of the process how important the suggestion was for the outcome of the general maybe unfinished process.

@Julia Mae
, but try to leave out references to any guilt towards entities atheists do not believe to exist.

 

[perezethel]

First of all, let me applaud you, Julia Mae, for your sincere attempts to reach out to the lost sheep. I would wish that more believers and followers of Jesus Christ would open their hearts to those who are truly ignorant about God and His desire to see all men saved.

I am a Christian who believes that, as easy as it is to say a sinner’s prayer to receive salvation, true repentance or turning away from sin is also necessary to obtain that promise. I have come to believe that all peoples can receive salvation if they will turn to God for help (in prayer) and also accept Jesus as Savior (make him king of your life).

Jesus, when he preached to the crowds, spoke of himself as “the Good Shepherd” of the lost sheep (sinners), and as “the Way, the Truth and the Life”. He stressed the fact that he was the only door to salvation as he said, “no one comes to the Father except through me”. I believe that as long as you belong to a church (Catholic, Protestant, Pentecostal, Baptist, etc.) that professes Jesus as Savior and one that follows God’s Word (the bible), Jesus himself will lead you to your salvation.

Listen to the promptings of your heart. If you feel in any way that you are being drawn to know more about God, this is God’s grace and mercy touching you. God desires nothing more than the salvation of all mankind and this is only possible when we cry out to him and let his son Jesus show us the way.

God Rocks

Amen!

 

[DJK100]

Well, not exactly. She said she was praying for “her atheists” - the folks that she’s taken it upon herself to ‘adopt’ and spiritually save. Whether they like it or not. Because, after all, she’s on a mission from God.

Does it really matter to you if she prays for you to a God you say doesn’t exist? What harm could possibly befall you then? Why would you even care?

I will admit from some people it can be obnoxious but I do not get that feeling from the OP.

I have no doubt she means well, but do believers really think this is the sort of talk that wins converts, even among those who are more inclined to buy what’s being sold?

 

[ASimon]

Does it really matter to you if she prays for you to a God you say doesn’t exist? What harm could possibly befall you then? Why would you even care?

On a practical level, I don’t care. But in principle, it’s the pseudo-humility that I find irritating. “I’m just trying help you - you poor, sweet, deluded idiots. I just want to give all you maladjusted, emotionally troubled fools a great big hug. Because I’m just humble Christian, on a mission given to me by the Creator of the Universe.”

Frankly, I’m almost tempted to walk back my earlier concession that she means well. It’s simply strains credulity to think that an adult of even average intellectual equipment could think that this was the appropriate tone to take to convince people of her point of view.

 

[DJK100]

On a practical level, I don’t care. But in principle, it’s the pseudo-humility that I find irritating. “I’m just trying help you - you poor, sweet, deluded idiots. I just want to give all you maladjusted, emotionally troubled fools a great big hug. Because I’m just humble Christian, on a mission given to me by the Creator of the Universe.”

Frankly, I’m almost tempted to walk back my earlier concession that she means well. It’s simply strains credulity to think that an adult of even average intellectual equipment could think that this was the appropriate tone to take to convince people of her point of view.

Okay, I understand and respect your point of view. We find ourselves getting drawn into a debate which was something my first post was trying to avoid.

You read it one way, I read it another. Can we leave it at that?

 

[Julia_Mae]

You do realize, by persisting in saying that atheists are suffering from rejection, anger and doubt -.

I didn’t say that. I don’t think it. Some atheists are suffering from anger, I know some like that. I don’t think Isaac Asimov was beset by these things, he seemed quite the cheerful atheist.

I just said what I said. You do as you will.

 

[Julia_Mae]

On a practical level, I don’t care. But in principle, it’s the pseudo-humility that I find irritating. “I’m just trying help you - you poor, sweet, deluded idiots. I just want to give all you maladjusted, emotionally troubled fools a great big hug. Because I’m just humble Christian, on a mission given to me by the Creator of the Universe.”

I have one response to this: LOL!!!

You make a really bad psychic I’m actually less the mission from God type than I am the “raise the pot” type, if you know what that means.

I’m still siccing God on you and you can’t stop me, nyah-nyah.