Conversion of Non-beleivers/Lukewarm to God

Pamela111

Hello,

Im looking for some advice.

What is the best way to convert people to God, people who appear very weak in faith, don't beleive at all and people who are lukewarm/indifferent.

Is private prayer best or should one contact them and have a few compassionate words with them?

Myself and my friend prayed the rosary for an atheist and to our surprise he asked to be taken to Mass without us saying anything. Is prayer alone the best way or should one approach the person too?

Obviously this is a question for beleivers in God.

Thanks.

I believe that you shouldn't pressure or force somebody into believing what you believe.

Fanny Cradock

-JammyDodger- wrote: »

I believe that you shouldn't pressure or force somebody into believing what you believe.

Yes, pressurising someone could prove to be counter-productive. However, if invited, a quite, non-judgemental and non-threatening mutual discussion could prove fruitful, as might an unpressurised invite to a service or a quiet, personal prayer. Your own demeanour might be be the very best testament.

If people ask me about my beliefs I am happy to have a chat. But I don't force them on anyone or go out with the express intent of converting someone. Nobody likes a pushy salesman!

philologos

-JammyDodger- wrote: »

I believe that you shouldn't pressure or force somebody into believing what you believe.

It's not pressuring or forcing, if people are seeking answers there is no problem in advising them about the Christian faith just as much as people convince others into atheism.

However, even if this is true about "forcing" or "pressuring". I've had people who wouldn't be in any faith at the minute ask me in a calm manner, as if they are seeking answers about Christianity so it isn't a case of "forcing" by any means.

Jakkass

Jakkass wrote: »

It's not pressuring or forcing, if people are seeking answers there is no problem in advising them about the Christian faith just as much as people convince others into atheism.

However, even if this is true about "forcing" or "pressuring". I've had people who wouldn't be in any faith at the minute ask me in a calm manner, as if they are seeking answers about Christianity so it isn't a case of "forcing" by any means.

Yes, because this:

Pamela111 wrote: »

What is the best way to convert people to God, people who appear very weak in faith, don't beleive at all and people who are lukewarm/indifferent.

Doesn't sound forceful at all.

philologos

Well, Christians are told to evangelise, it isn't forceful it's merely a way to get people to think about God. I wouldn't consider myself forceful but I'm open about my beliefs, and I am willing to answer any questions that people may have. It's a key tenet of the Christian faith, I think it's more the method that is debatable and I do think that Christians should review this.

Jakkass

Jakkass wrote: »

Well, Christians are told to evangelise, it isn't forceful it's merely a way to get people to think about God. I wouldn't consider myself forceful but I'm open about my beliefs, and I am willing to answer any questions that people may have. It's a key tenet of the Christian faith, I think it's more the method that is debatable and I do think that Christians should review this.

Evangelise? Yes. Force, as in "what is the best way to convert non-believers"? No.

Fanny Cradock

OK, let's not loose the plot here. For the sake of preventing an argument, why don't we just assume that any potential conversions aren't enforced through 'bible bashing' - both in figurative and literal scenes.

Phototoxin

Yes, pressurising someone could prove to be counter-productive. However, if invited, a quite, non-judgemental and non-threatening mutual discussion could prove fruitful, as might an unpressurised invite to a service or a quiet, personal prayer. Your own demeanour might be be the very best testament.

If people ask me about my beliefs I am happy to have a chat. But I don't force them on anyone or go out with the express intent of converting someone. Nobody likes a pushy salesman!

Speaking as a person who is at the moment 'non religous' I have to say that its meeting the people of whatever religon in their day to day lives that make the best/worst impression. Obviously you cannot judge it on one case but you can look for trends.

For the record bullying people emotionally is not good either. One I got was 'well you are looking that X religon therefore you know its true but dont want to admit it so you're going to hell' essentially. The other one was telling me that I CANNOT choose another religion as they are wrong. Yet the same religion is BS-ing about free will. So its a bit hypocritical. The other thing that gets me is pushy evangelicals who then go out get plastered and shag anyone they find. Makes no sense.

philologos

-JammyDodger- wrote: »

Evangelise? Yes. Force, as in "what is the best way to convert non-believers"? No.

It's our job to promote Christianity in society, I wouldn't regard that as forcing, I would regard that as living your life by Biblical precepts, and be open and respectful enough about faith matters to allow people to discern for themselves, but also to be open and ready to talk about your faith for those who are seeking, and there are many who are, many who are confused about God.

I personally prefer discourse with people who or unsure or who want to know about Christianity on a personal level and are open to the idea, rather than many atheists (not all) who think they have Christianity sussed out and seek to attack followers of Christianity and the religion itself. As I've said before, I'm glad to be able to speak to people who do approach me from the first set.

Jakkass

Jakkass wrote: »

It's our job to promote Christianity in society, I wouldn't regard that as forcing, I would regard that as living your life by Biblical precepts, and be open and respectful enough about faith matters to allow people to discern for themselves, but also to be open and ready to talk about your faith for those who are seeking, and there are many who are, many who are confused about God.

I personally prefer discourse with people who or unsure or who want to know about Christianity on a personal level and are open to the idea, rather than many atheists (not all) who think they have Christianity sussed out and seek to attack followers of Christianity and the religion itself. As I've said before, I'm glad to be able to speak to people who do approach me from the first set.

I understand what you said. But, I wasn't talking about you specifically.

I'll quote it again:

What is the best way to convert people to God, people who appear very weak in faith, don't beleive at all and people who are lukewarm/indifferent.

That isn't promoting; that's asking what the best way to convert non-believers to God is. Saying prayers for them without their consent etc. I know I wouldn't like a Christian to pray for me.

Sorry for changing the topic again, Fanny!

philologos

I don't think praying for other people is a bad thing. I generally pray for friends and family many who wouldn't believe in God, it's just something that I generally do in prayer. I think non-believers should just understand the sentiment that is behind it. We wish you well if we are praying for you and we're just hoping that God will have some form of impact on the lives of others.

Jakkass

Jakkass wrote: »

I don't think praying for other people is a bad thing. I generally pray for friends and family many who wouldn't believe in God, it's just something that I generally do in prayer. I think non-believers should just understand the sentiment that is behind it. We wish you well if we are praying for you and we're just hoping that God will have some form of impact on the lives of others.

Oh I completely agree with you; the sentiment is the important thing. I don't have any problems with people praying for me with good intentions and all that. I meant that I wouldn't like a Christian (or a person of any other religion for that matter) praying for my conversion, like what the OP stated. It seems very conniving (albeit in a harmless way); but I think you know what I mean. If I'm happy as an atheist, I don't like the thoughts of other people praying for my conversion, to be "saved" or for whatever reason.

Fanny Cradock

-JammyDodger- wrote: »

Oh I completely agree with you; the sentiment is the important thing. I don't have any problems with people praying for me with good intentions and all that. I meant that I wouldn't like a Christian (or a person of any other religion for that matter) praying for my conversion, like what the OP stated. It seems very conniving (albeit in a harmless way); but I think you know what I mean. If I'm happy as an atheist, I don't like the thoughts of other people praying for my conversion, to be "saved" or for whatever reason.

Is such a thing any different from an atheist hoping that a Christian would eventually 'see the light'? From your perspective, surely there can be no harm in a Christian praying to something that you believe is not there? Sure we may as well be asking a tin of beans to help win the Lotto or a plank to sort out the economy. Oh wait...

sink

TBH -JammyDodger- coming here and confronting Christians about evangelising when they didn't even approach you seems a tad hypocritical. If you seek out dialogue with Christians on the issue of religion it is perfectly acceptable for them to promote their beliefs, it is not realistic to expect them not to, they are not obligated to roll over or stay silent. If it annoys you then simply don't have conversations about religion with them. As the OP was approached by the non-believer and not vice-versa the same rules apply.

Fanny Cradock

Fanny Cradock wrote: »

Is such a thing any different from an atheist hoping that a Christian would eventually 'see the light'? From your perspective, surely there can be no harm in a Christian praying to something that you believe is not there? Sure we may as well be asking a tin of beans to help win the Lotto or a plank to sort out the economy. Oh wait...

Well, I don't really hope that all Christians will eventually see the light; it doesn't bother me, personally, if they do or they do not (I'm not insinuating that my position as an atheist is the correct position either; I just believe it is).

Well yah, you're right. In my opinion, thinking is probably more beneficial than praying, so one might as well think for me than pray for me. But, there's just something I don't like about one person, nevermind masses of people, praying for my conversion (it's nothing to do with the praying; it's more to do with their will to change somebody). Something about highly religious people scares me, especially when they hold sway. Ever see the new version of The Mist; if you have then you'll know what I mean!

sink

sink wrote: »

TBH -JammyDodger- coming here and confronting Christians about evangelising when they didn't even approach you seems a tad hypocritical. If you seek out dialogue with Christians on the issue of religion it is perfectly acceptable for them to promote their beliefs, it is not realistic to expect them not to, they are not obligated to roll over or stay silent. If it annoys you then simply don't have conversations about religion with them. As the OP was approached by the non-believer and not vice-versa the same rules apply.

I'm not confronting anybody. I'm meerly saying that forcing, or trying to force somebody to change their views is wrong. That's what the OP implied, with the quote:

What is the best way to convert people to God, people who appear very weak in faith, don't beleive at all and people who are lukewarm/indifferent.

That quote implies that the person is consciously attempting to convert people who don't believe. I don't agree with that.

sink

-JammyDodger- wrote: »

That quote implies that the person is consciously attempting to convert people who don't believe. I don't agree with that.

Well the non-believer approached and asked to be taken to mass so it's fair game for believer to try and convert. It's not the same as some randomer coming up to you trying to sell you their beliefs.

sink

sink wrote: »

Well the non-believer approached and asked to be taken to mass so it's fair game for believer to try and convert. It's not the same as some randomer coming up to you trying to sell you their beliefs.

I'll quote it again:

What is the best way to convert people to God, people who appear very weak in faith, don't beleive at all and people who are lukewarm/indifferent.

It says people, not person. The story about the atheist approaching her is a seperate event, in my opinion. She was specifically asking how to convert people, not a single non-believer that may have approached her.

PDN

The OP said "Obviously this is a question for believers in God."

Which part of that do some of you guys not understand.

There is a long standing convention on this board that an OP can ask for a thread to be for Christian responses only. This has been respected by most atheists, but this is the second thread in a few days that has been derailed in this way. So, once again thread is unfortunately locked.