How to Convert Others

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About a year ago I met one of the nicest people I’ve ever known and found out that he was atheist. From that point on I made it a goal to try to convert him, and for the past year we’ve been going over the readings and gospels of each day’s mass and having discussions about abortion and premarital sex, etc. I’ve been taught a lot about the theology of the body so after explaining why the Church has all of these rules and why they are necessary, he has really come to understand and agree with those teachings. Recently I’ve asked where he stands in his beliefs and he replied “I kind of believe in God, but I’m not sure.” I told him to try to start praying and he’s tried but it’s kind of weird and awkward for him. Does anyone have any advice on how I can help and what else I can do to help him convert? Is there any sort of guideline to converting that he can follow that would help him convert?
 
Try the Pray as You Go website- it has a podcast based on the daily readings in which you ask yourself questions.

Also there is a book out there that does the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius through the movies.

amazon.com/Finding-God-Dark-Spiritual-Exercises/dp/0819826804

I bet your friend would find these both to be very accessible. They are especially great because they both revolve around questions that one asks of oneself.
 
user3 said:
About a year ago I met one of the nicest people I’ve ever known and found out that he was atheist. From that point on I made it a goal to try to convert him, and for the past year we’ve been going over the readings and gospels of each day’s mass and having discussions about abortion and premarital sex, etc. I’ve been taught a lot about the theology of the body so after explaining why the Church has all of these rules and why they are necessary, he has really come to understand and agree with those teachings. Recently I’ve asked where he stands in his beliefs and he replied “I kind of believe in God, but I’m not sure.” I told him to try to start praying and he’s tried but it’s kind of weird and awkward for him. Does anyone have any advice on how I can help and what else I can do to help him convert? Is there any sort of guideline to converting that he can follow that would help him convert?
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Hi.

As budding Catholic apologetics, we’re often reminded by on-air apologists such as Tim Staples that it is not we who convert someone into the faith, but the Holy Spirit. Tim also frequently quips: “I’m not in sales. I’m in marketing.”

That is, we as apologists help spread the Word, to explain and defend our faith, help others with our knowledge of Christ and the Church and how its history and influence are positives, as well as helping others differentiate the false or watered-down versions of Christianity and other religions.

But in the end, every argument we may have available, every historical fact, even any scientific evidence will not convert those who question too actively, who want proof or hard evidence, who cannot leap on faith. It is the Holy Spirit that will ask the final questions in the person’s heart, to which the person may say, “Yes,” “No,” or “Not yet.”

Your friend sounds like an agnostic…a “Not yet.” Try the arguments of intelligent design with him/her. See the complexity as something that cannot be simply random. See the infinity of numbers that exist on a ruler’s markings of “1” and “2.” Contemplate the sequences of DNA. Explore the incorruptible bodies of the saints and other miracles in the world. Somewhere there might be an answer that leads your friends closer to the Spirit.

God bless.
 
Pray for him, a lot. The book “Theology for Beginners” by Frank Sheed pushed me over the edge. When I read it I finally understood why there must be one God, the Trinity, and why Jesus must be truly present in the Blessed Sacrament. It was really exciting. When someone is struggling with prayer I try to pray with them or for them.
 
Thanks for the help! I’m making sure to pray for him a lot, and I will have him look into those books and websites. Thanks for the suggestions!
 
Spencerian said:
Hi.

As budding Catholic apologetics, we’re often reminded by on-air apologists such as Tim Staples that it is not we who convert someone into the faith, but the Holy Spirit. Tim also frequently quips: “I’m not in sales. I’m in marketing.”
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And thanks for that advice. I realize I need to leave it up to God in the end and not try to push him so much.
 
user3 said:
About a year ago I met one of the nicest people I’ve ever known and found out that he was atheist. From that point on I made it a goal to try to convert him, and for the past year we’ve been going over the readings and gospels of each day’s mass and having discussions about abortion and premarital sex, etc. I’ve been taught a lot about the theology of the body so after explaining why the Church has all of these rules and why they are necessary, he has really come to understand and agree with those teachings. Recently I’ve asked where he stands in his beliefs and he replied “I kind of believe in God, but I’m not sure.” I told him to try to start praying and he’s tried but it’s kind of weird and awkward for him. Does anyone have any advice on how I can help and what else I can do to help him convert? Is there any sort of guideline to converting that he can follow that would help him convert?
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This is exactly what I’m doing with an agnostic friend. I’ve presented to him many philosophical arguments for God and we go back and forth and explain each others arguments or counter-arguments. He’s still an agnostic, bu it’s only because of his ignorance. Once he gets over the ignorance I know he’ll come full circle and believe. I pray for him as often as I can, usually offering a decade of the Rosary for him. I suggested he try to pray now, but I don’t know if he has (I doubt it, but I can’t be sure). Right now, I just want him to believe in God- then we can hammer out organized religion later 👍
 
coolduude said:
This is exactly what I’m doing with an agnostic friend. I’ve presented to him many philosophical arguments for God and we go back and forth and explain each others arguments or counter-arguments. He’s still an agnostic, bu it’s only because of his ignorance. Once he gets over the ignorance I know he’ll come full circle and believe. I pray for him as often as I can, usually offering a decade of the Rosary for him. I suggested he try to pray now, but I don’t know if he has (I doubt it, but I can’t be sure). Right now, I just want him to believe in God- then we can hammer out organized religion later 👍
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🙂 Thats great. I’m glad there are other situations like mine out there. When my friend and I first became friends I found out that he could really stubborn and just liked to argue for the sake of arguing, so in the beginning I would argue about nonreligious things and things that didn’t matter. All of those unimportant arguments made him stop being stubborn and I was able to talk to him about religion and God and he really listened and understood my side. If your friend is like that maybe you should try arguing about nonreligious things first until your friend really starts to listen to what you’re saying.
 
user3 said:
🙂 Thats great. I’m glad there are other situations like mine out there. When my friend and I first became friends I found out that he could really stubborn and just liked to argue for the sake of arguing, so in the beginning I would argue about nonreligious things and things that didn’t matter. All of those unimportant arguments made him stop being stubborn and I was able to talk to him about religion and God and he really listened and understood my side. If your friend is like that maybe you should try arguing about nonreligious things first until your friend really starts to listen to what you’re saying.
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Good idea! 👍
 
I have a slightly different suggestion–if your friend is amenable (and he may not be), I would suggest taking him to Mass with you. It’s been my experience that the philosophical, theological, intellectual stuff can only take a person so far. Most everyone I know (myself included) was put on the road to conversion for intellectual reasons, but it was the liturgy and practices of Catholicism that put us over the edge.

And, as others have said, the Holy Spirit converts, not us.
 
user3 said:
Thanks for the help! I’m making sure to pray for him a lot, and I will have him look into those books and websites. Thanks for the suggestions!
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One more thing, pray particularly that he receive the gift of faith. Received that advice this week from a priest regarding a similar situation.
 
Just tell them to use common sense 😛 If they have a brain and can research, they’d have to come to the conclusion that Catholicism is a bog scam or it is the truth 🙂 I simply find it pretty impossible to come to the conclusion that it’s a big lie and scam. I’m sure that they would have been arrested by now or something 😛
 
=user3;6674075]About a year ago I met one of the nicest people I’ve ever known and found out that he was atheist. From that point on I made it a goal to try to convert him, and for the past year we’ve been going over the readings and gospels of each day’s mass and having discussions about abortion and premarital sex, etc. I’ve been taught a lot about the theology of the body so after explaining why the Church has all of these rules and why they are necessary, he has really come to understand and agree with those teachings. Recently I’ve asked where he stands in his beliefs and he replied “I kind of believe in God, but I’m not sure.” I told him to try to start praying and he’s tried but it’s kind of weird and awkward for him. Does anyone have any advice on how I can help and what else I can do to help him convert? Is there any sort of guideline to converting that he can follow that would help him convert?
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***Rather than “pray” in the Traditional sense; suggest that he simply TALK to God as a friend; and ask for His help.

As to the conversion: LIVE YOUR FAITH PUBLICALLY,[which you seem to be doing:D] and encourage this friend to ask as many questions as occour to him. Then address them one by one. Don’t rush… take one issue at a time until he is comfortable with it.***

Love and prayers,
Pat
 
Spencerian said:
Hi.

As budding Catholic apologetics, we’re often reminded by on-air apologists such as Tim Staples that it is not we who convert someone into the faith, but the Holy Spirit. Tim also frequently quips: “I’m not in sales. I’m in marketing.”

That is, we as apologists help spread the Word, to explain and defend our faith, help others with our knowledge of Christ and the Church and how its history and influence are positives, as well as helping others differentiate the false or watered-down versions of Christianity and other religions.

But in the end, every argument we may have available, every historical fact, even any scientific evidence will not convert those who question too actively, who want proof or hard evidence, who cannot leap on faith. It is the Holy Spirit that will ask the final questions in the person’s heart, to which the person may say, “Yes,” “No,” or “Not yet.”

Your friend sounds like an agnostic…a “Not yet.” Try the arguments of intelligent design with him/her. See the complexity as something that cannot be simply random. See the infinity of numbers that exist on a ruler’s markings of “1” and “2.” Contemplate the sequences of DNA. Explore the incorruptible bodies of the saints and other miracles in the world. Somewhere there might be an answer that leads your friends closer to the Spirit.

God bless.
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As someone with many atheist friends, I do not suggest arguing the intelligent design theory. Any Atheist worth his salt will know how to dismiss that, and quite frankly its not that difficult. I do agree you should get his impression on incorruptible bodies.

Remember, atheists are people too. They want to be respected for their beliefs, or lack their of. Being a friend is one of the best things you can do.
 
Redratfish said:
As someone with many atheist friends, I do not suggest arguing the intelligent design theory. Any Atheist worth his salt will know how to dismiss that, and quite frankly its not that difficult. I do agree you should get his impression on incorruptible bodies.

Remember, atheists are people too. They want to be respected for their beliefs, or lack their of. Being a friend is one of the best things you can do.
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Amen. The first step for conversion is consideration of the other person’s spiritual condition. Though, one thing I will add, intelligent design can mean many things: It can mean aliens designing humanity or life on earth, it can imply God and the 6-day creation, or it can mean theistic evolution.
 
Encourage him to read the work of Fr. Ronald Rolheiser. He’s probably one of the best Catholic spiritual writers around.
 
The most important thing to do is pray and put it in God’s hands.

Also, you could take him to national park or some forest or something. I find nature very inspiring and it makes me think that there has to be a God. You can also take him to a Mass, possibly at a Basillica or Cathedral or anywhere where he may be inspired.

And, you could try to mention the Eucharistic miracles and the Marian apparitions.
 
First pray for him then encourage him to read the bible. Teach him about christian beliefs and what christian religion stands for. Let him understand that faith is personal and it is not about going to church or being a member of any church. It is the acceptance of God and repentance of sins. 🙂
 
Please note Intelligent Design is not a Catholic teaching. It assumes a simplistic, direct, cause and effect relationship between the creator and all creation which eradicates all mystery and is actually even contrary to the thoughtful, moderating, evolution position embraced by the church.

This position acknowledges certain truths about evolution (biological evolution) while not embracing evolution as an explanation for the totality of human questions and searching about our origins and destiny.
 
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