How do I deal with Athiests? I recognize that their morality comes from God, and I explain that to them. Most morality among the non-religious is based on the golden rule, and they will claim that it is based on selfish logic. I show them that that logic is no less valid than the selfish, step-on-others to get ahead, and that the golden rule comes from God. Even if they don’t believe in Him, He is still touching their hearts because they are created in His image. Does that always work? Of course not.
Sure. But now you admit you must argue morals first. That was my point.
You cannot just start with “Jesus has saved you”.
Are you looking for the 100% effective solution? It doesn’t exist. Truth with Love will eventually win out. It did with me.
I am not saying a 100% effective solution. It’s more like how does this solution work.
The current situation we have was not something that happened over night. We first stopped evangelizing because of our ecumenical approach. Then we stopped catechizing morals because we felt it drives people away. Now our inter-religious situation is not one where you can say “Jesus saved you”.
So the people who left were not because they didn’t know there was a doctrine in Christianity that God loves them. You can ask any atheist in North America and Europe and they will tell you that they probably read the Bible, know that Christians claim a Jesus died for them. At that point, you are in a tight spot. They will already speak as if the insistence of Christian morals are backward and products of a man made religion.
If you were to try the non-Catholics Christians, you will be in a tighter spot. They will tell you they already know the good news and it is you that needs to hear it.
If you were to try non-Christian religious, they will tell you they know what you are saying but they got it Vishnu. Or if its Islam, they will tell you you got it wrong.
So essentially, the deadlock condition we see today came about after attempting the very approach that Pope Francis said by some. Yes, few convert to Catholicism but more just leave because they think Christianity is false after being in it. The converts are more faithful for sure but the fact that we loose a lot is also a fact.
What I mean to say is that what if its a fact that not many are going to come in? When do we stop trying and focus our energies on first making sure the inside of the house is in order? How do we strike that balance?
For me, the early Christian community made sure they were Christian on the inside. The rules and disciplines were sharply enacted and if you violated it in a serious way, you were out till you repented. But we are not talking about that here but a more mercy only approach. So what if we suffer internal casualties?
On another note, what if the world outside is full of pride and they just reject Christ? What is the next step? When do we leave the city and wipe off the dust?
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Note: I agree with the Holy Father that we must be more concerned with evangelizing than moralizing 100%. But, there has to be a method to it. There must be a point at which we say, ok we tried. They reject us. Then build up the groups we gathered, rinse, repeat. Right now it feels like there is no build up. There are faithful Catholics today but we have not seen an epistles of the type of St. Paul or St. Peter instructing to hold fast to the faith in these trying times. Instead we are told times are great and we must be pouncing on the opportunity to evangelize and blamed for not doing enough. **
