The question

[dskysmine]

There’s a question that I have heard atheists ask that has never seen answered by any Christian or Catholic in a profound way.
“What would it take for you to change your beliefs?”
I was asked this question and my answer was “I don’t know… it would certainly have to be something more than human error.”
In the end I guess my answer was also not very profound, but it was truthful.
My belief in God is very much at the core of my understanding of life.
I remember that when we were at the preparation for Confirmation (I was 17 years old) the priest asked us something in similar words to:
“How would your life change if I proved to you that there is no God?”
My answer came as a reflex:
“Our life would have no meaning… we would be as rocks.”
At the time the priest laughed, and no one said anything and we quickly changed to the topic of the three cardinal virtues, but that question stuck with me ever since.
It’s something that bothers me almost every day.
I live my life with the only assurance being that God is love, and that He loves me no matter what.
I don’t think I had bad parents or that my wife don’t love me, but I tend to not look to them for encouragement or reassurance, as if trusting another fallible human being is wrong, the words of the bible “don’t put your trust in princes” come to mind. My wife is always asking me how can she love me, and it’s a difficult question for me, because I have a strong impression that no human love or physical thing is worth much in comparison to God’s Love.
This has made some people comment that my "Thank you"s don’t sound sincere.
I do feel though that this has put me in a difficult spot to communicate with atheists or people from other religions. As if there’s no point discussing subjects like religion or philosophy.
My answer might put me in a point of impossibility to get empathy for them.

Does anyone here that is a Catholic (or Christian) have an answer that you would like to share?

God bless,
D.

 

[davidv]

There’s a question that I have heard atheists ask that has never seen answered by any Christian or Catholic in a profound way.
“What would it take for you to change your beliefs?”
I was asked this question and my answer was “I don’t know… it would certainly have to be something more than human error.”
In the end I guess my answer was also not very profound, but it was truthful.
My belief in God is very much at the core of my understanding of life.
I remember that when we were at the preparation for Confirmation (I was 17 years old) the priest asked us something in similar words to:
“How would your life change if I proved to you that there is no God?”
My answer came as a reflex:
“Our life would have no meaning… we would be as rocks.”
At the time the priest laughed, and no one said anything and we quickly changed to the topic of the three cardinal virtues, but that question stuck with me ever since.
It’s something that bothers me almost every day.
I live my life with the only assurance being that God is love, and that He loves me no matter what.
I don’t think I had bad parents or that my wife don’t love me, but I tend to not look to them for encouragement or reassurance, as if trusting another fallible human being is wrong, the words of the bible “don’t put your trust in princes” come to mind. My wife is always asking me how can she love me, and it’s a difficult question for me, because I have a strong impression that no human love or physical thing is worth much in comparison to God’s Love.
This has made some people comment that my "Thank you"s don’t sound sincere.
I do feel though that this has put me in a difficult spot to communicate with atheists or people from other religions. As if there’s no point discussing subjects like religion or philosophy.
My answer might put me in a point of impossibility to get empathy for them.

Does anyone here that is a Catholic (or Christian) have an answer that you would like to share?

God bless,
D.

Proof the all (every single one) of the witnesses were lying.

 

[fisherman_carl]

I think it is a dumb question by someone who is not interested in truth but only trying to change your belief. The only reason you should believe anything is because it is true. If it was ever proven to not be true then it would not be worth believing.

 

[Della]

There’s a question that I have heard atheists ask that has never seen answered by any Christian or Catholic in a profound way.
“What would it take for you to change your beliefs?”
I was asked this question and my answer was “I don’t know… it would certainly have to be something more than human error.”
In the end I guess my answer was also not very profound, but it was truthful.

I have to disagree with you and say your answer was quite profound, as well as true.

My belief in God is very much at the core of my understanding of life.
I remember that when we were at the preparation for Confirmation (I was 17 years old) the priest asked us something in similar words to:
“How would your life change if I proved to you that there is no God?”
My answer came as a reflex:
“Our life would have no meaning… we would be as rocks.”
At the time the priest laughed, and no one said anything and we quickly changed to the topic of the three cardinal virtues, but that question stuck with me ever since.
It’s something that bothers me almost every day.

Belief in God is, for many believers the core of their understanding of life–it is for me, at least. I can see nothing wrong with that, if you think there is something wrong with that. As for the priest laughing, he may have felt your answer was so spot on it amused him, and so good he need add nothing more to it. No need to be bothered by it. The truth is the truth if everyone “gets it” or no one does.

I live my life with the only assurance being that God is love, and that He loves me no matter what.
I don’t think I had bad parents or that my wife don’t love me, but I tend to not look to them for encouragement or reassurance, as if trusting another fallible human being is wrong, the words of the bible “don’t put your trust in princes” come to mind. My wife is always asking me how can she love me, and it’s a difficult question for me, because I have a strong impression that no human love or physical thing is worth much in comparison to God’s Love.

If by this you mean you adopt a cold demeanor with others, fearing that you would only be showing them human love, then that’s taking things too far. God builds on human nature, he doesn’t destroy it. Our affections/loves are perfectly fine. What we are not to do is be attached to others as if they are our only loves–that’s idolatry. But there is nothing wrong with feeling normal human emotions of love or affection–as long as they are not inordinate–take the place of our love of God, through whom we can truly love them, warts and all.

This has made some people comment that my "Thank you"s don’t sound sincere.
I do feel though that this has put me in a difficult spot to communicate with atheists or people from other religions. As if there’s no point discussing subjects like religion or philosophy.
My answer might put me in a point of impossibility to get empathy for them.

If you are repressing your natural feelings to try to have only godly ones, then you are making a mistake and people can sense that your feelings aren’t sincere. We don’t have to try to be so detached that we can’t relate to others, if that’s what is what you are doing. Allow yourself to like and love others, just don’t put such feelings before serving God and neighbor as we ought to. Some spiritual direction from you priest or other solid Catholic might be beneficial.

Does anyone here that is a Catholic (or Christian) have an answer that you would like to share?

God bless,
D.

My own answer to “what would it take to change your beliefs” is I’d have to have irrefutable proof that Christ did not rise from the dead. That is the foundation of our Christian beliefs. As to my belief in God, to deny that I’d have to have more reasons that any atheist I’ve ever read or encountered has had to offer. Their reasons are not reasons, but beliefs–based on nothing more than their inability or unwillingness to believe or accept plain historical evidence. I feel quite sorry for them and pray for them, either way.

 

[ThinkingSapien]

There’s a question that I have heard atheists ask that has never seen answered by any Christian or Catholic in a profound way.
“What would it take for you to change your beliefs?”
I was asked this question and my answer was “I don’t know… it would certainly have to be something more than human error.”

I’ve given “I don’t know” to the same question. I couldn’t answer it any better than I could tell some one what method of preparation for a food I’ve never tasted before would be necessary for it to taste good to me. Even if I were introduced to something that changed my mind I might not be able to articulate what it was about it that changed my mind. I think we all have limited insight to what’s going on in our minds.

 

[GEddie]

If the life and resurrection of our LORD were disproven, I would perforce become an atheist, but the burden of proof is on the disprovers.

ICXC NIKA

 

[tm21]

Here’s an answer: “The fact that we exist is proof of God’s existence…since it is illogical to believe in an infinite series of “caused-causes”…there must be an “uncaused-cause”…what we call God. So, I guess if you could prove to me that we don’t exist, then I would conclude that there is no God.”
Be careful…he may respond that some modern philosophers have questioned man’s existence. However, proposing that we don’t exist is a self-refuting philosophy: If we didn’t exist…why would we be discussing existence?! In other words, our existence is self-evident.
If he accepts your answer, then ask him: “What would it take for you to believe in God?”

 

[Kliska]

There is a difference between being a believer in Jesus and a believer in God… my answer has always been; if there was a way to absolutely prove that Jesus did not rise from the dead, I’d become Jewish.

 

[Randy_Carson]

There’s a question that I have heard atheists ask that has never seen answered by any Christian or Catholic in a profound way.
“What would it take for you to change your beliefs?”
I was asked this question and my answer was “I don’t know… it would certainly have to be something more than human error.”
In the end I guess my answer was also not very profound, but it was truthful.
My belief in God is very much at the core of my understanding of life.
I remember that when we were at the preparation for Confirmation (I was 17 years old) the priest asked us something in similar words to:
“How would your life change if I proved to you that there is no God?”
My answer came as a reflex:
“Our life would have no meaning… we would be as rocks.”
At the time the priest laughed, and no one said anything and we quickly changed to the topic of the three cardinal virtues, but that question stuck with me ever since.
It’s something that bothers me almost every day.
I live my life with the only assurance being that God is love, and that He loves me no matter what.
I don’t think I had bad parents or that my wife don’t love me, but I tend to not look to them for encouragement or reassurance, as if trusting another fallible human being is wrong, the words of the bible “don’t put your trust in princes” come to mind. My wife is always asking me how can she love me, and it’s a difficult question for me, because I have a strong impression that no human love or physical thing is worth much in comparison to God’s Love.
This has made some people comment that my "Thank you"s don’t sound sincere.
I do feel though that this has put me in a difficult spot to communicate with atheists or people from other religions. As if there’s no point discussing subjects like religion or philosophy.
My answer might put me in a point of impossibility to get empathy for them.

Does anyone here that is a Catholic (or Christian) have an answer that you would like to share?

God bless,
D.

What would it take for you to disbelieve that the sun exists? For the world to be suddenly plunged into darkness and cold? For the earth to lose its planetary orbit and careen wildly out into space?

As a Christian, I feel the warmth of God’s love, and I find my way by the light of His Word. When I am tempted to careen wildly into spaces where I should not go, I am kept in check by the pull of the Holy Spirit maintaining my orbit around the Son of God.

And if God should withdraw from me plunging me into a dark night of the soul such that I draw no comfort from Him at all, I know that I will be brought through this trial by Him Who does great things for me. Holy is His name.

 

[porthos11]

If Jesus were found dead, positively and truly, with no doubt whatsoever, I would cease being a Christian right then and there.

I would also cease the practice of all religion, as none have made the same lofty claims Christianity has, so none of them have any compelling reason for me to join them.

I could not become atheist because reason does not allow me to disbelieve in God. Clearly, a God exists, but with Christianity disproven, we don’t know what exactly he is or who he is to us. I would therefore likely believe in his existence, but won’t care much beyond that.

I would also live my life as I wish, do what I want without any moral qualms whatsoever. The only thing that would keep me in check is civil law, nothing more.

If Jesus were dead. But he isn’t, thank God.

 

[1Lord1Faith]

The question is not worth answering as atheists cannot put together arguments deeper than a puddle.

In regards to the second part of your post. We ARE meant to see Christ in other people. Perhaps you are hiding your light under a bushel basket and therefore cannot see Christ in others.

God shows His love for you through other people who reflect His love onto you. The light of the moon is a reflection of the sun. But it provides much needed light at night when we cannot see the sun.

 

[Rbaker]

Like the above posters said, you would literally have to have physical proof that Jesus did not exist and that he was made up. I will never believe there is no God, as I will never accept the fact that the Earth and everything on it are this perfect because of some crazy accident.

If an atheist could explain to me why thousands of people converted to Christianity after the death (many of them taking this belief to their death) of a supposedly fictional character than I’d change my mind.

I mean let’s be real, Jesus claimed to be the Son of God! Who else has done this? If this weren’t true, it would be soooo easy to disprove. Think of all the brilliant minds that must have been alive the last 2016 years. They couldn’t disprove Jesus’ existence b/c there is nothing to disprove.

Also what about the saints. You have to have approved miracles to become a saint. You’re going to tell me that the Church has basically just lied about the miracles of these saints and that all they saints were just crazy?

 

[MT1926]

There’s a question that I have heard atheists ask that has never seen answered by any Christian or Catholic in a profound way.
“What would it take for you to change your beliefs?”

I think Trent Horn gives one of the best answers to this question. He dialogues with Atheists better than anyone I have heard.

Here is a couple of his CAL episodes "Why are you an Atheist?

catholic.com/radio/shows/why-are-you-an-atheist-35344

catholic.com/radio/shows/why-are-you-an-atheist-35345

The last 3 minutes of the second one gives his response to your question.

 

[mikekle]

If Jesus were found dead, positively and truly, with no doubt whatsoever, I would cease being a Christian right then and there.

I would also cease the practice of all religion, as none have made the same lofty claims Christianity has, so none of them have any compelling reason for me to join them.

I could not become atheist because reason does not allow me to disbelieve in God. Clearly, a God exists, but with Christianity disproven, we don’t know what exactly he is or who he is to us. I would therefore likely believe in his existence, but won’t care much beyond that.

I would also live my life as I wish, do what I want without any moral qualms whatsoever. The only thing that would keep me in check is civil law, nothing more.

If Jesus were dead. But he isn’t, thank God.

This is scary to even think about, I think if I found out my religion was false and nothing to it, I would not know what to do, panic would probably set in.

I dont think civil law would any relief either, I mean, if we found out God does not even exist and the bible was just a collection of stories, what motivation would anyone have to even obey civil laws anymore, would there even be any motivation to try and keep order? If there is no ‘right or wrong’ anymore, it would be an anything goes world (literally).

 

[Aloysium]

By God’s grace, we have come to know Him.

Through the acceptance of that grace and doing His will, we grow in Christ, deepening our relationship with Him.

The question isn’t a good one as it sees faith as an idea rather than a way of life.
Rather, one might ask, “How and why would someone be unfaithful to God.”

“Proof” boils down to accepting some form of understanding to be greater than the heart.
Like the disciples, when we are confronted with something we don’t understand, where are we to go when we have heard the words of eternal life?

What does separate us from God is sin.

If you want to be unfaithful, put yourself first. Do as you will, not as He has prescribed. Don’t go to church, don’t partake of the Eucharist. Consider yourself justified by the very fact that you are you, free to do as you will. Don’t confess; let Him reconcile with you. Harbour resentments and fuel your anger. Control and manipulate those around you. Take steps to get the money out of their pockets and into yours. Seduce your friends’ spouses; or if too awkward, bury yourself in pornography. Tell people what is convenient; consider speech as a means to produce an effect rather than a statement of fact. I’m sure you will find that God will fade further and further away becoming a mere god concept, easily discarded.

We are all born in original sin but have been given the tools to forge our true selves, becoming Christ-like and thereby coming to know God.

God, the wild sower of faith, scatters these holy seeds everywhere. Some land on the path, some on rocks, others in the thorns; when they land on fertile soil, they flourish. These represent our acceptance of His grace. Do we ignore Him? Allow the world to take precedence? Follow evil instead? Or do we embrace His love, thankful of His many blessings and return that which He has bestowed upon us?

What would bring our relationship with God to the point that He is but an idea to be denied is unfaithfulness to Him and the knowledge, understanding, wisdom and fear of the Lord which He has offered. In other words, it would boil down to a choice made by oneself.

 

[Della]

If Jesus were found dead, positively and truly, with no doubt whatsoever, I would cease being a Christian right then and there.

I would also cease the practice of all religion, as none have made the same lofty claims Christianity has, so none of them have any compelling reason for me to join them.

I could not become atheist because reason does not allow me to disbelieve in God. Clearly, a God exists, but with Christianity disproven, we don’t know what exactly he is or who he is to us. I would therefore likely believe in his existence, but won’t care much beyond that.

I would also live my life as I wish, do what I want without any moral qualms whatsoever. The only thing that would keep me in check is civil law, nothing more.

If Jesus were dead. But he isn’t, thank God.

If Christianity were proven false, there would still be Judaism since God revealed himself to Israel and her prophets. As to law, we still have natural law, codified in the Ten Commandments, so we would still have to answer to God for our actions, as per the OT. At least, that’s how I see it.

 

[GEddie]

If Christianity were proven false, there would still be Judaism since God revealed himself to Israel and her prophets. As to law, we still have natural law, codified in the Ten Commandments, so we would still have to answer to God for our actions, as per the OT. At least, that’s how I see it.

Except that Judaism makes no claim that one must be a Jew to achieve the **Olam Haba ** or next world. So one need not, if not born to Judaism, convert. At most, one should become a Noahide.

ICXC NIKA

 

[porthos11]

If Christianity were proven false, there would still be Judaism since God revealed himself to Israel and her prophets. As to law, we still have natural law, codified in the Ten Commandments, so we would still have to answer to God for our actions, as per the OT. At least, that’s how I see it.

Why?

Judaism has this whole body of laws that God ordered them to perform. Without Christianity, which claims to be the fulfillment of the Old Testament, Judaism is unable to fulfill those laws. They have no temple and no animal sacrifices. For Christians, this is not an issue. But if Christ is indeed dead and buried, not risen, then Judaism has all the signs of having been abandoned by God. Without Christ, their religion not credible, and the same is true with the God they profess. On what grounds then would the Old Testament have any authority over human beings? Judaism doesn’t even demand that people convert to to it.

Same thing if one were not to become a Jew, but rather one who observes the Noahide covenant. Our only source of that covenant is a Jewish writing. Same question applies. Why should we even bother to believe it? What authority does it have?

Really, there is nothing. If Christ is dead, religion is meaningless. All one can reasonably be is to believe a God exists, but a God completely unknowable to man, whose actions are only legends in human religious myth. It would really be a free-for-all, with only one’s knowledge of the natural law and the penalties of civil law restraining one’s actions. But everything else that is not illegal is fair game.

That is what at stake if Christ is dead. And again, thank God, Jesus is risen, and indeed he is risen. Christos voskres! Voistinu voskres!

 

[Della]

Except that Judaism makes no claim that one must be a Jew to achieve the **Olam Haba ** or next world. So one need not, if not born to Judaism, convert. At most, one should become a Noahide.

ICXC NIKA

Something of which I was not aware, thank you for the info. :tiphat:

 

[Della]

Why?

Judaism has this whole body of laws that God ordered them to perform. Without Christianity, which claims to be the fulfillment of the Old Testament, Judaism is unable to fulfill those laws. They have no temple and no animal sacrifices. For Christians, this is not an issue. But if Christ is indeed dead and buried, not risen, then Judaism has all the signs of having been abandoned by God. Without Christ, their religion not credible, and the same is true with the God they profess. On what grounds then would the Old Testament have any authority over human beings? Judaism doesn’t even demand that people convert to to it.

Same thing if one were not to become a Jew, but rather one who observes the Noahide covenant. Our only source of that covenant is a Jewish writing. Same question applies. Why should we even bother to believe it? What authority does it have?

Really, there is nothing. If Christ is dead, religion is meaningless. All one can reasonably be is to believe a God exists, but a God completely unknowable to man, whose actions are only legends in human religious myth. It would really be a free-for-all, with only one’s knowledge of the natural law and the penalties of civil law restraining one’s actions. But everything else that is not illegal is fair game.

That is what at stake if Christ is dead. And again, thank God, Jesus is risen, and indeed he is risen. Christos voskres! Voistinu voskres!

I would be living in hope that the real Messiah would still appear because I believe that God truly revealed himself to Israel’s prophets and patriarchs. Merely because the temple sacrifices have ended really doesn’t mean much. They couldn’t offer such sacrifices when captives in Babylon or Egypt, either, but their faith prevailed.

Sacred Tradition consists of the OT just as much as the NT. After all, we await Christ’s return even though there’s not much evidence in the world for it ever happening. It’s a matter of faith in the Person we love, not merely what we believe/don’t believe and why we do or don’t. At least that’s it for me.