Date: 10/24/2003 11:27:00 AM
From Authorid: 48689
I am a believer, so I'm not entirely answering your question, but I've also pondered that. What would I say if I was a non-believer? It's a million dollar one, I can tell you that!  |
Date: 10/24/2003 11:42:00 AM
From Authorid: 58078
I'm Roman Catholic and I don't try to change anyone, people will believe what they want and who they want, thats their right. I wouldn't want people pushing me to believe something I wouldn't want so I wouldn't do it to others, but thats just me.  |
Date: 10/24/2003 11:52:00 AM
From Authorid: 53961
It is not for us to convert people. People are converted by the Spirit. We are only the vessels to deliver the message.  |
Date: 10/24/2003 11:58:00 AM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 49080
This is not a question that I am asking non-believers. It is a question I was wondering the answer to if non-believers would ask themselves.  |
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Date: 10/24/2003 11:58:00 AM
From Authorid: 58078
People have to change for themselves and because they want to. |
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Date: 10/24/2003 12:02:00 PM
From Authorid: 58078
But your heading does say How do I get you to believe in Christianity? and its simple, You don't. |
Date: 10/24/2003 12:07:00 PM
From Authorid: 62410
Why would you want to "bring" people to believe in Christ? That can be viewed as an indication of your own want to control what other people think and believe in an effort to validate your beliefs because of your own nagging insecurities out them. Psychologically speaking, the want to control other people is usually an expression of and acknowledgment of your own lack of self-control. I was raised in a Christian home and made to go to church 3 times a week (Sunday, Wed. night bible study and Fri. night youth group). I believe that Jesus was the best example of humanbeingness that ever existed. However, I do not believe in "Christianity". Christianity has destroyed more indiginous cultures, killed more people, and stifled education and free thought more than any other religion. Though my experience with Christianity, the same people who purported to be "Christian" also committed adultery, molestation, extreme violence on children, humiliation of their wives, they were gossiping hypocrites, bigots and liars -- no better than the "sinners" they pointed their fingers at and tried to "bring unto Christ". So when I sit down to think very hard about how I believe about those people and the religion they hold so dear -- I think I would not want to be one of them. If fact, in the last 17 years since I left home, I have often thought of Christ and God, and not what one learns about them from books, but how God feels -- how he/she/it is all encompassing, around us in every way, expressed through many different languages and cultures. That is the beauty of God. That he is all there is and we are one with him. By your belief that you need to "bring" everyone unto Christ, you are quite foolishly believing that those who don't know Christ could not know God. Christ is an extension of God. Just because a man has not met the son doesn't mean he doesn't know the father, and it doesn't mean he is "lost." Scall
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Date: 10/24/2003 12:08:00 PM
From Authorid: 60945
if there was a gOD in heaven, why would hE allow people to suffer? Why wouldn't he just have everyone born with an equal opportunity for sucess and love instead of people with a greater advantage over others? For me, I am a non-believer in christ. I just don't believe he exists. He may have existed in another time or something, but yeah. You couldn't "make" me believe. sorry if this sounded mean or anything, I don't mean to offend anyone!  |
Date: 10/24/2003 12:17:00 PM
From Authorid: 15675
just because someone isnt christian doesnt mean they dont have a god or what not, and just because their not christian doesnt mean they dont believe christ did exist. I believe he existed but I dont worship him, and I do believe in gods and goddesses... Sorry its just wrong to try to 'convert' people to any religion.  |
Date: 10/24/2003 12:23:00 PM
From Authorid: 25756
I don't know. I'm not a beleiver, but I'm not exactly a non-believer, so I really don't know what I'd do.  |
Date: 10/24/2003 12:25:00 PM
From Authorid: 62222
Speaking as a "non believer" I feel you couldn't force someone into belief. No amount of talking is going make someone believe in Christ or God. It is a "feeling". If the person didn't have this "feeling"...well you can't talk that into them. DemonicAngel, As for why people have to suffer, well.....how can you know what suffering IS if you don't have an example of what it ISN'T? What I mean is if joy is all you know, it is cheap to you because it is always there....if goodness is all you know it is also cheap. You MUST have examples of what good and evil are or you won't be able to tell one from the other. That is my theroy anyway. And it is a theroy coming from a non believer. <RegretfulHalo>  |
Date: 10/24/2003 12:38:00 PM
From Authorid: 24924
I CAN NOT, and I will NOT state that I do not believe in a Supreme entity, *A* "god" of SOME sort. For NO ONE KNOWS this.....NO ONE. However, as for believing in the biblical brand of god "Jesus Christ"? well, After examining so many different religions and different OTHER gods, and comparing the stories to the Bible god; I can say with absolute certainty: THE BIBLE GOD IS JUST ANOTHER god out of many gods; just one other god story among so many. I HAVE examined the facts and heard it all, and NOTHING makes one lick of sense with regards to ANY of the god stories. If YOU believe in a god, you need to be able to tell ME about this god in such a way that it makes sense to me and to others. What you tell us needs to be TRUE. This is called making a claim about YOUR god. Since you know about this particular god and I do not, it is YOUR job to make the claim; to "sell" ME on she/he/it. It is my job to listen and to see if your claim makes sense. If it makes no sense, if the facts, the evidence doesn't fit; doesn't jive with reality, then I won't accept it. Bottom line here, is the FACT: there is NOTHING at this point (because I HAVE examined most all of the other god claims) you could do to convince me, but I will never not LISTEN to you with regards to anything you have to say. I usually will listen but tell you honestly that I've heard it before.
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Date: 10/24/2003 12:40:00 PM
From Authorid: 54707
I'm not a follower of Christianity, but I am very well informed seeingas I have read the bible. I did go to a christianchurch before, and I do talk to many christians. I do believe that Christ MAY have existed, but i don not believe all of his story is true. And i donnot believe that God is like the Christians portray her/him. I believe in the God and the Goddess. For without a Female none of this would be here. They are the creators of life, and tyo even think that god is only Male is pure stupidity in my thoughts. So nothing would ever make me believe that Christ and his "father", the Christian God, we're anything that they are because the only Femnale in the picture is the "holy Spirit" and Christians, catholics, and every onther religionthat follows thos ideas hides that aspect.  |
Date: 10/24/2003 1:14:00 PM
From Authorid: 15070
I imagine there could be an implied arrogance in your question, implying that Christianity is the "Truth", and that your "God" is "THE" God. But I read a sincere innocence in your question, so I will reply.....speaking for myself, I was a Christian. I taught Sunday School, I spoke in Church, I saw "miracles"....etc. But, I also realize that there are so many paths to the One, or Ones that created us. I was turned off by inconsistancies in the Bible. The facts, could not support the myths. Then, the behavior of "God's" so-called "good people" really upset me. Using the excuse "I am not perfect, just saved", was a cop-out. The more I saw the political side of organized religion, the more I saw my truth. Notice I say "MY TRUTH". I have seen miracles as a Christian. I have seen miricales as a Pagan. I have spoken to spirits as a Christian. I have spoken to spirits as a Witch. Many people at USM WERE Christians, and now, are not. So, nothing you can say, will change my heart. Because I have found my OWN truth,  |
Date: 10/24/2003 1:26:00 PM
From Authorid: 53284
You cannot bring someone to your belief, they have to be interested. What would create an interest? The only thing that I can think of is if I observed your life for some time and noticed how you dealt with dificult situations then If I were impressed, I might ask about you and your beliefs. So the answer in my case would be if you so impressed me by the way you live that I would initiate a dialogue with you. The second answer to your question is if I had a personal religious experience. That would also sway my beliefs, but that doesn't include you. Other than those two things, I don't think that you could talk me into your beliefs.  |
Date: 10/24/2003 1:27:00 PM
From Authorid: 62367
I am a practicing Christian of the Roman Catholic variety. I know many Christian sects emphasize going out to convert the unbelievers (including other Christians their sect does not agree with!). Conversion methods include knocking on doors, cornering co-workers and offers of help with strings attatched. The best method will always be "setting the example" by ones own conduct. People are either open to conversion at a given time or they are closed to it. Ones that are open are usually searching for something, disillusioned by their current beliefs, or are a crisis point in theirs lives. I can think of nothing more irritating than well meaning people trying to convert the unwilling or those that are happy with their own beliefs. I am a "convert" in that as a young adult I left the Protestant side and became a Roman Catholic. This was something carefully considered and studied over a period of years before I took this step. No one came to me proselytizing their faith. People that are searching should look until they find something that fills their spiritual needs whatever that maybe. I have studied other Christian faiths and Non-christian beliefs because I have great curiosity about other peoples and beliefs. Instead of going for conversions of unwilling souls we should be learning about and respecting those beliefs. I have a peculiar belief that the God I believe in answers all prayer whether he is called "God, Yahweh, Allah, Krishna, Buddha or any other name".  |
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Date: 10/24/2003 1:34:00 PM
From Authorid: 15070
RuSure once said "Teach by example". Wild Bob has also pointed that out. There are a few lovely Christians on this site (You know who you are!) that are so lovely, so deeply spiritual, that they touch my very soul. There is one in particular, where every time I speak to her, I get the "warm fuzzies". *shiver*. It has been said "...if more Christians were like her.....there would be more Christians". Yet, she is so humble & gives all praise to her God. She is a living jewel. |
Date: 10/24/2003 1:36:00 PM
From Authorid: 10733
Well being a "non-believer" I wouldn't be able to answer that question.. If I could answer it I guess I would be a believe not a pagan like I am.. :S That being said.. I do believe in a "God". But I don't believe in "Christ" as God.  |
Date: 10/24/2003 1:52:00 PM
From Authorid: 1225
In order for me to know that there is a God, I would have to meet him/her/it in person, and field a few questions.  |
Date: 10/24/2003 1:54:00 PM
From Authorid: 8024
It's a 1 cent question if you ask me ... There is alot of non-believers here @ the site ... some of which I care alot about ... There is good and evil each exist ... just as peace and war ... Miracles happen ever second of every day ... there so obvious everyone overlooks them take's them for granted ... there is no doubt of higher powers ... everyone everywhere has the gift of choice ... I don't judge those who believe differently ... all I have to do is open my each morning to see there is a God .. there is a Devil ... there are humans who make mistakes and angel who save me ... the things that happen here in our little world ...If there is no God explain love to me then ...Please explain how I'm still here ... please somebody anybody try ... it isn't possible ... there is only one explaination why I'm sitting here able to type these feeling, poems out ... it's that light force ... higher power...star ... whatever your term for it is ... That miracle ...God ... and if you choose not to believe I pray your ways are safe and you prosper as the rest of do ...28billion thank you's to God Jesus the spirit and the whole crew of believer whose prayer I've seen first hand work uncomprehendable things ....
...  |
Date: 10/24/2003 2:16:00 PM
From Authorid: 21867
I agree with a point others have made: Teach by Example...actions speak a WHOLE lot louder than words. If someone is professing to be Christian, yet acts in ways that seem contrary to that, well, few would follow them. Me...I don't preach to others, I just DO...when people get to know me they may ask questions, then I'll provide some information...but thats all I'll provide, information and maybe suggestions...certainly NOT direction or demands...for that often puts people on the defensive, and all you really end up doing is creating a bad taste in that persons mouth. Those who have a belief have to be REAL careful that we don't do a disservice to the One we believe in...and I have seen many times some make that very mistake...which results in them not bringing someone to God or their belief at all, but forcing that person away due to the aggressive nature/method they approached the person with. Peace,  |
Date: 10/24/2003 2:35:00 PM
From Authorid: 24924
"If there is no God please explain love to me"<<<<< Over and over the Christian church and it's leaders and followers tell their members that they alone have the key to love, that THEIR brand of love is the ONLY "true" love, and that any other love is false love. Many proclaim "God is love; and true love comes from God". However, the "love" that the churches speak of, the love of God, boils down to obedience: "But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected" (I John 2:5). Love of one's Christian brethren is contrived, the response to a commandment; while contrived love can, through natural human emotions, lead to genuine, heart-felt love, it cannot be seen as originating from the purely spontaneous HUMAN EMOTION. How can you say that the human emotion, LOVE, is not possible if it doesn't come from your god??? That is invalidating; that is saying that BILLIONS of people all over the world who DO love their families, love their friends, spouses, children, etc. every bit, if not more, than YOU do; you're saying that IF THEY DO NOT BELIEVE IN A GOD OR YOUR GOD, that they don't really have "real" or "true" love. This is just one of the most ridiculous assumptions that boggles my mind about the Christian beliefs. It is NOT truth, it is misleading and I'm here to state that most emphatically. The emotion of love and how one chooses to deal with it, express it, give it, etc. has little to do with what your religious beliefs might or might not be. And, please, don't get me started on the old "God's unconditional love" cliche. Believe or Burn is not unconditional! Certainly It is not love.
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Date: 10/24/2003 2:41:00 PM
From Authorid: 17014
I don't think many of the people here actually read your post right Natalie. It's a hypothetical question/inquiry. Not to prove that your religion is THE religion or to convert anyone. Am I right? Well, anyways, being a 'non-believer', It would take a world of suffering, poverty, injustice, child abuse and neglect, etc., turned around to believe that there was a 'god' or 'christ' out there. There are so many things in my life that would have had to not happen in order for me to believe there was a 'god in heaven.' Just my thoughts. Blessed be. :)h  |
Date: 10/24/2003 2:55:00 PM
From Authorid: 11097
I re-read your question and I am going to try and answer this from a different perspective. I'm going to take for granted that you already know that religion and beliefs cannot be forced on anyone... because, to answer your question, I believe it takes a very real and personal experience or experiences within your life, to help you base your decision on which faith you would like to follow. I believe in God and Jesus with all my heart, but I have also been through very rough times and due to a very personal "dream" with Jesus that I had when I was 10, when my mom passed away, I have found truth in Him. The only thing that we could do, is practice our faith through love, strong actions of kindness, and understanding. Actions and examples will bring forth "the good news" and the Spirit will work wonders. But it all comes down to the choice (freewill) that is bestowed upon us all, and your faith due to your experiences; yet I also believe- that people can change their course of life reguardless of what life has dealt them :0)  |
Date: 10/24/2003 3:13:00 PM
From Authorid: 16671
Jn:14:6: Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Author, we can speak to the people, we can tell them what we know, what we believe, we can debate until the cows come home but some will never change their minds. WE cant BRING anyone to believe, we can offer answers as we know them, we can pray that God would open their eyes, we can sow the seeds so to speak, or as some would say, we can lead the horse to water but we can't make them drink. Its just like with wicca, or any other religion, they can tell us their beliefs, how good it is, how much pleasure they get from their own path, but they can't make us believe. For us that are christian we know that its the Holy Spirit that will draw one into belief.  |
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Date: 10/24/2003 5:29:00 PM
From Authorid: 21867
*sees where this thread is rapidly going and goes somewhere else* |
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Date: 10/24/2003 6:03:00 PM
From Authorid: 15070
LOL@ Agent Smith..........."Come Back here you!" |
Date: 10/24/2003 6:54:00 PM
From Authorid: 54987
Christianity is not the only pathway to a belief in a God. I do not believe in Christ as a God. If he existed he would have been a great teacher or which there have been many before and since. Of course I am not an atheist but I do not, and cannot, believe in a biblical God. The God power I believe in is greater than that. It is All that Is. You might as well ask what non christians can do to show you that the biblical version of God is greater than that. As for atheists? Well I am sure my friend Thinker will do better to answer that one.  |
Date: 10/25/2003 7:23:00 PM
From Authorid: 34487
I agree with FB.  |
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Date: 10/27/2003 12:25:00 PM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 49080
Thank you for your replies everyone. |
Date: 6/15/2005 6:58:00 PM
From Authorid: 16376
I believe in God. My family is agnostic and I sometimes wish I could get them to believe. I think they want to, but they just can't for some reason.  |
