Conversation with An Atheist

[Lambano]

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.

Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator.

The above makes you think....
Does this apply to modern day Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Mormons, Taoists, Atheists?

It's not just the sexual perversions and weirdness, though it shows up there. This section of Paul's letter to the Romans describes the Human Condition in general:

28 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to an unfit mind, to do those things which are not proper, 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; 32 and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.

This is what we are.

At best, we try to restrain our baser nature. Our worst ends up on the 11:00 news.

 

[Wrangler]

What if this grand adventure isn't what you're expecting?

Solipsistic.

What if you want out? Like you've said, there's no choice.

It‘s not all about you.

 

[RandyDawson]

28 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to an unfit mind, to do those things which are not proper, 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; 32 and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.

This is what we are.

Not me! No sir, I got born again and became a new creature in Christ Jesus.
Why not talk about that and what people who get born again become?

Or will you continue to identify with the old man and walk after the flesh with him?

At best, we try to restrain our baser nature. Our worst ends up on the 11:00 news.

Are we going to hear about your crime spree on the evening news soon?

Let me know all the details so after the trial and the publicity dies down I can write a book about your criminal escapades and make some money to put in to spreading the gospel. It'll be a lose when - you lose, but the money from the book will help get the gospel out which will be a win!

 

[Lambano]

Not me! No sir, I got born again and became a new creature in Christ Jesus.
Why not talk about that and what people who get born again become?

Oh? If so, show me with your life. Show us by how you act on this forum.

 

[RandyDawson]

Oh? If so, show me with your life. Show us by how you act on this forum.

Watch closely son, and I'll show you how it's done!

 

[Anchorite]

I see no biblical justification for debating atheists.

To engage in it would be trusting in human logic to deliver an unsaved person from the darkness they cling to and defend.

I think sharing your faith and personal testimony, and presenting God’s Word to them, is all we need do.

If they reject us, there is no profit in trying to persuade them otherwise.

In the sermons reported in Acts, believers declared the gospel and explained basic tenets of the faith. The audience either accepted what was said, or scoffed. No elaborate debate ensued.


I Corinthians 2

12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.


Atheists are self-congratulatory in their rejection of God.



Jesus explained it clearly. It is never a lack of evidence that God exists, or disturbing Bible passages, or hypocrisy of Christians that keeps an atheist from believing in God.



John 3:19,20,21

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

 

[RandyDawson]

I see no biblical justification for debating atheists.

Well we are to provide opportunity for all to know the hope that is in us.

But I think you'd be right to not debate which is a fancy word for argue. If they don't accept the gospel we proclaim to them then we should brush off the dust against them and move on to talking with someone else.

 

[Mancunian]

Maybe it would help if you're arguments were convincing?
Quoting the Bible isn't convincing. It's not as if I haven't read it and new truths are being revealed to me.... You can't even seem to agree amongst yourselves what the truth is, how am I supposed to believe any of the contrasting versions of Christianity?

None of you have a clear idea about the eternal lives that you crave, if you did you would all be forthcoming with information...

It's like you're selling something that just sounds better than death, but when you think deeply about it, is it better?
I don't think that any of you have given the topic of your own eternities the consideration that it deserves.

 

[RLT63]

Maybe it would help if you're arguments were convincing?
Quoting the Bible isn't convincing. It's not as if I haven't read it and new truths are being revealed to me.... You can't even seem to agree amongst yourselves what the truth is, how am I supposed to believe any of the contrasting versions of Christianity?

None of you have a clear idea about the eternal lives that you crave, if you did you would all be forthcoming with information...

It's like you're selling something that just sounds better than death, but when you think deeply about it, is it better?
I don't think that any of you have given the topic of your own eternities the consideration that it deserves.

Maybe so but I don't see you convincing anyone to become an atheist either

 

[Lambano]

Watch closely son, and I'll show you how it's done!

Bring your A-game. You're effectively bragging to Mancunian about how you're now inherently much better than he is. When Christians boast about our moral superiority and then fall, we fall hard, and we make Christ a laughingstock. And frankly speaking, from what I've seen of my brothers and sisters in Christ on this forum, ain't nobody got reason to boast.

 

[Mancunian]

Maybe so but I don't see you convincing anyone to become an atheist either

I wouldn't want to try to convince anyone of anything, I have my views and you have yours....
Here are some other people's beliefs past and present.

There is no exact or universally agreed-upon number of known gods, with anthropological and historical estimates ranging from at least 3,000 to over 18,000 different deities, goddesses, and sacred spirits worshipped throughout human history.

The count depends heavily on how different cultures and religions define a "god" versus ancestors, local spirits, or natural elements.


Breakdown by Tradition

• • Ancient and Extinct Civilizations: Thousands of deities belong to mythologies that are no longer actively practiced, such as the ancient Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Mayan, and Norse pantheons (which include figures like Zeus, Odin, Osiris, and Ra).
  • 
    
  • Hinduism: Ancient Hindu texts and traditions feature a vast inventory of divine beings, famously referencing 330 million gods and goddesses (koti, which can mean 330 million or 33 supreme categories/types). However, modern scholarship notes that active worship centers on a smaller core of major deities, avatars, and regional manifestations.
  • 
    
  • Monotheistic Religions: Religions like Christianity, Islam, and Judaism hold a strictly monotheistic view, recognizing one supreme God.
  • 
    
  • Indigenous, Folk, and Local Religions: Countless local spirits, village gods, river deities, and ancestral figures exist across indigenous traditions in Africa, the Americas, Asia, and the Pacific, many of which are oral or specific to small communities.

You reject thousands of known Gods, I reject the same as you +1

 

[Anchorite]

Maybe it would help if you're arguments were convincing?
Quoting the Bible isn't convincing. It's not as if I haven't read it and new truths are being revealed to me.... You can't even seem to agree amongst yourselves what the truth is, how am I supposed to believe any of the contrasting versions of Christianity?

None of you have a clear idea about the eternal lives that you crave, if you did you would all be forthcoming with information...

It's like you're selling something that just sounds better than death, but when you think deeply about it, is it better?
I don't think that any of you have given the topic of your own eternities the consideration that it deserves.

You have rejected God.

You dismiss the Bible.

And now you hope to make the case that you are intellectually superior in your unbelief.

Apparently, it bothers you that some people believe in God.

You sit in prideful judgment on believers, feeling you are so much better than them.

If you were that confident in your skepticism, you would not spend your time and effort quarreling on a Christian forum.

You have chosen your eternal destination. You will have to accept it when it arrives.

 

[Mancunian]

You have rejected God.

You dismiss the Bible.

And now you hope to make the case that you are intellectually superior in your unbelief.

Apparently, it bothers you that some people believe in God.

You sit in prideful judgment on believers, feeling you are so much better than them.

If you were that confident in your skepticism, you would not spend your time and effort quarreling on a Christian forum.

You have chosen your eternal destination. You will have to accept it when it arrives.

It doesn't bother me that some people believe in God, it bothers me that some people who believe in God use God as an excuse to be prejudiced towards certain people. Some people who believe in God have a holier than thou attitude and view themselves as morally superior.
I'm not saying all believers are the same, but a fairly large number that I've encountered fit into this category.

 

[Wrangler]

I see no biblical justification for debating atheists.

You don’t see too well! The Great Commission doesn’t apply only to believers.

 

[Wrangler]

I got born again and became a new creature in Christ Jesus.
Why not talk about that and what people who get born again become?

Indeed, we must talk to Atheists about our transformed lives. In an earlier post I used this as proof of who the God we serve is.

 

[Mancunian]

@Bob
What say ye, @Mancunian ? Will you be persuaded? (Luke 15:7)

I would describe myself as more of a black sheep rather than a lost one.

Can't reply in the other thread, Christians only....

 

[Mancunian]

I have nothing to repent about, yes I've made mistakes in my life but I've never knowingly hurt anybody.
I've been a good son to my parents and a good father and husband.
I've worked hard all of my life and have provided for my family.
I have done charity work in the past, I still give to charity these days and am community minded.
I've never been in trouble with the police, I pay my taxes, I contribute to society in a positive way.....
Why do I need to repent? Why should I be sorry for doing my best? Why should I view myself as unworthy?
I'm not doing it.

 

[ProDeo]

I have nothing to repent about, yes I've made mistakes in my life but I've never knowingly hurt anybody.
I've been a good son to my parents and a good father and husband.
I've worked hard all of my life and have provided for my family.
I have done charity work in the past, I still give to charity these days and am community minded.
I've never been in trouble with the police, I pay my taxes, I contribute to society in a positive way.....
Why do I need to repent? Why should I be sorry for doing my best? Why should I view myself as unworthy?
I'm not doing it.

I hear you, I have been like you, until I had an encounter with His love and holiness, I rapidly changed my tune.

 

[Wrangler]

Why do I need to repent?

I have nothing to repent about, yes I've made mistakes in my life

“Mistakes” is what the crazy kids call sin and evil these days.

 

[RandyDawson]

Maybe so but I don't see you convincing anyone to become an atheist either

Yeah do the atheists go out try to convert people to become atheists?
I know they spend a lot of time trying to convince people there is no God.

I wonder if they spend that much time trying to convince people there's no santa clause or easter bunny.

When I was a kid I didn't care much about the easter bunny who quit coming around to leave money under my pillow after I finished pulling all my baby teeth but I did like the satan clause thing. Until I found out my parents LIED to me and there was no satan clause. I had to actually forgive my parent for lying to me! I mean who lies to their own kids? It's crazy.