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athiest friend
ok well my friend max is an athiest. he doesnt belive in any kind of god. hes like a science nerd so that probably has something to do with it. well i really want him to belive in God but i dont know how i can talk to him about it. we arent close enough to talk about that stuff. what should i do?
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Want to answer more questions in the Miscellaneous category?
Maybe give some free advice about: Spirituality?
pray for him. ask God to show him the way. contiue to be his friend, if he needs something, do it for him. show him how to act. but most of all... PRAY. hop this helps
God bless
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I think you shouldn't talk to him about it. Obviously, being atheist suits his lifestyle, and I can garauntee you that he has heard about God, but hadn't chosen this faith because, well, he doesn't want to, and he doesn't share the same beliefs you do.
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While I respect your desire to turn him to what you believe is "right", you need to know where your boundaries are. If he approaches you & asks you to introduce him to your religion, that's fine, but don't go stuffing your religion down his throat. It's not your place to do so. Imagine how you'd feel if someone tried stuffing a book about satan down your throat. I bet you wouldn't like it. The same thing goes for your friend- if you try overstepping your boundaries & forcing your religion on him, he's going to resent you. Converting him to your religion isn't the right thing to do, but respecting his beliefs is.
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what's it matter to you what he believes, it's not like he's asking to sacrifice you or anything so it shouldnt matter.
also you're not going to change his mind.
give it up.
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I assume you are Christian because the other columnists assumed the same. =]
It is our job as Christians to try to bring Jesus into people's lives. That is one of the main reasons we are here. Unfortunately, many people will not listen. That is their choice though, so we must realize when to stop "bothering" people.
Many people assume that all Christians try to convert non-Christians. In a way, that is true. But we do not want people to get annoyed by us. That only makes them more against Christianity.
The only thing that you can do at this point is pray for him. Maybe talking about Jesus with your friends in front of him, or reading the Bible in front of him, will get him to notice and wonder about Christianity, but it is not likely.
I respect you for trying to bring Jesus into other people's lives. Many Christians fail to do that.
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How would you like it if someone came up to you and said "Stop believing in Christ, there is no such person, Christians are fools!" I imagine you wouldn't be very happy at all! Nor would I! This is the same way Max would feel if you told him "Believe in Christ, athiests are fools!"
Don't talk to him, be an example. Let your light shine through, and be the happiest, most upbeat person you can be. Be reliable. Let people come to you with problems, and show without telling him that Christ has made a positive impact on your life.
Another thing you might consider is asking him about science and what he believes and why he believes this. For example, as a christian, I am incredibly confused about the genus Homo. I believe with all my heart that we evolved from homo erectus. Why else would it look so much like us? But my Bible tells me God created us in His image. So, is God homo erectus?
It will take a while. It's not uncommon for people to take years or even decades to accept Christ. Many never do. Pray for him, do what I said, and just leave it to God.
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Dear Friend,
Your concern I understand is because you care about your friend. You also have to understand that his beliefs have nothing to do with you or your friendship or your beliefs. To be a true friend is to honor him and let him discover his truth. You don't have to agree with them but you can still honor your friendship with him. If he seeks answers, he will ask you...but if he does not, then you should remain a friend and not be consumed by changing his way of thinking or making him see things the way you do. One thing I think many people do in regards to beliefs and religion, is that they put their own ego involvement in regards to another's belief system...when in fact we should be accepting and stay true on our own path. If you are meant to guide him...the opportunity will be offered to you by him...the situation should never be forced. Respect and Honor your friend by learning acceptance, just as he should for you.
"Science without religion is lame. Religion without science is blind." ~Albert Einstein
I tend to agree with Einstein although I substitute Spirituality in place of religion, but I think you get the point.
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leave him alone. i am atheist and nothing anyone says to me will convert me back to christianity.
it is extremly annoying to be preached at and he probobly doesn't want to hear it so save your breath.
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1. Pray for him. Thats all you can do.
2. Realize that free will is a pisser, sometimes. Even God respects free will; I myself do too, to an extent.
3. Talking to him will likely anger him, and make him feel like you are pressuring/preaching to him. He could come to resent you for it. Preach, and you may drive him further away.
4. Be there for him, support him - if he is ever to become Christian, it needs to be in his own way and in his own time.
5. Accept him how he is. If he changes, he changes.
6. Be aware of how Evangelism and Proselytism is viewed by non-Christians. If your Church is big on this, you'll need to think further on how to approach him w/o offending him (which is often impossible or nearly so)
"The world has more winnable people than ever before but it is possible to come out of a ripe field empty-handed." - Donald H. McGannon
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Even though your friend and you are close, you should probably refrain from pursuading him to believe in your religion. It is his choice to be an atheist, and it should be respected. Would you like it if he tried to pursuade you to shy away from your religion and become and atheist? Probably not.
Although I do understand where you're coming from. Sometimes I feel the same way about the "lazy athiests," as I call them-- people who don't believe in God only because it suits them, so that they don't have to go to church or take the time to pray. I'm not saying your friend is like this, just stating my opinion. Although I have nothing against people who fully understand what it means to be an atheist and choose not to believe in God. So please, anyone, don't think I'm prejudice, because its just my opinion.
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ok teh best advice i can give you is get over it. not everyone is a christan and thats what makes the world diffrent and gooood. I would not consider talkin to him about god or tryin to convert him. honestly he willprobpaly get pissed off, most people dont enjoy havin other beliefs pushed on them. Your beliefs are yours, and his are his. They dont need to be the same, you can still be friends, just because he is an atheist doesnt mean that hes a bad person or anything.
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i do not think you should say anything. not everybody feels the same way about things, and the fact that everyone is different makes the world more interesting.
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Max is one blessed person to have you. The way you care about your friend's eternal soul is awesome. First thing you need to do is be praying for him. Only the Holy Spirit can change a person's heart. As you pray, God will open opportunities to speak to him.
This is just a suggestion...But since he's a science nerd and God made science, that may be a place for you to start. You didn't mention any specific science, but atheists usually don't believe in creationism. Below is a site that may help you prompt him with questions of what he believes on the subject of creation/evolution and provide you with direction on what the Bible has to say.
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
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Although you are a Christian, it doesn't mean others should be. I understand if you want your friend to share your beliefs but you just can't force a person to do that, which is why more wars have been fought over religion than anything else.
You can try and explain to him why you believe in God but believe me, any attempts to convert him will merely offend him and will not end happily for either of you. You have to learn to live and let live and allow other people to believe in an alternative God or no God at all, whatever they choose to believe or not believe in. You will have a much happier friendship that way.
Please also try to remember that although religion tries to lead people into being better, that does not mean non-believers cannot be good people or lead good lives. Living without religion does not make someone a bad person, it purely means that they choose not to believe.
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I am an atheist and if one of my friends tried to convert me I would be extremely offended and probably not talk to them anymore. It's like me trying to tell you not to believe in God. If he's happy, then it's his business.
If you're worried about him not getting into heaven...(I'm saying this hypothetically because I'm an atheist) If God exists, why does he need people to believe in him? You exist. Do you need people to believe you exist? If your friend is a good person and God really does love everyone then he's getting into heaven.
And regarding the suggestion below me...inviting him to church is risky and he will say no, possibly be offended. Buying him a bible for christmas is unacceptable. Would you like it if someone bought you the Koran or The Satanist Bible (yes it's a real book) for Christmas?
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Since you arent close enough to talk about that type a stuff then invite him to your church or since Christmas is coming up soon by him a Bible or something dealing with God.
If I didn't help write me back. I'll be sure to try my best.
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He will probably be offended no matter what you say. Just like if he came up to you and said "I want you to stop believing in god". If you can think of a way he could convince you to stop believing in god, that's the same method you use to get him to start.
I'm an atheist, so I might be biased.
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