Persuade an Atheist to Become Christian

A persuasive discussion of life in Christ is not achieved by presenting your personal religion. Christianity is not about your personal faith or private interpretation of the Gospel. Discussing your firmly decided faith in Christ can be interesting when two persons' ideals are as diametrically opposed as the atheist's (nonbeliever's) and yours, as a dedicated Christian. If you want to discuss your faith relationship with Christ with a nonbeliever, it's very important to plan how you would begin approaching the subject tactfully -- talking in a personable way, not sparring or dueling, but communicating experience and knowledge of life in Christ could include views of your friends (and possibly of scholars) worked into what you say... while responding pleasantly.

Steps

Approaching the Subject

  1. Put yourself in your friend's shoes. Consider how you would respond, if someone were attempting to persuade you to reject your salvation in Christ. It's not just difficult to "high pressure sale" anyone about new understandings, especially faith-based ones, probably useless. If a friend is casually interested in talking with you on matters of faith in God and religion, then do it gradually, taking occasions for mutually convenient opportunities to discuss your firm faith and their inquiries in a personable way. Never lecture your views to an unwilling participant, or you'll give your friend the impression that you are rude and your technique is unacceptable. This is avoidable.
    • Many atheists may not consider their Confuse an Atheist to be a negotiable part of who they are. They are more concerned with their behavior, with being a reasonable person, than what "faith" or system of belief that action stems from.
    • Always speak from a place of good news and love, not judging. Rather than trying to convert someone to your religious beliefs by winning an argument, Christians believe it's more important to show friendship unconditionally. It's that simple kind of personal, loving regard that can appeal to others. We may think of "souls", but they want to admire and be admired/loved like friends and nice family.
    • Realize that a large percentage of atheists used to believe in God, but was hurt somehow in their faith (at church, by another religious person, church goer, such as a Christian, etc.) and have converted to atheism. This is not true for another large percentage of atheists, of course.
  2. Choose a convenient place and time to have a dialog on matters of believing in God. The middle of a debate or argument probably isn't a time to have gracious persuasion in matters of Christian faith. Likewise, the workplace, the busy dinner table, or large group is not the right place to discuss your good news or offer of a different life with a nonbeliever. If the topic comes up, set aside another time to discuss some important matters ("oh, interesting stuff, a sort of discussion over coffee or such, about what you and I think about today's issues... ways of seeing success and progress in whatever we do... No. Not selling. Not buying or investing money, no. Let's have a talk and some good discussion, okay? No, not a debate.") in depth and in semi-private (over a home kitchen table, at a sit-down sandwich deli, in a park or coffee shop, or such).
    • Never blind-side a nonbeliever friend with your views and attempt to override their disclaimers (don't ignore protestations: "I wasn't ready for this..., not now; hey, what's the idea?"). If it comes up, it comes up. But, don't rush into an inconvenient conversation, or it'll come across as confrontational and unfriendly (a trap).
  3. Have a genuine arms-length conversation. Any time you're discussing matters of faith, it's important to have a genuine conversation, not just a list of sins or accusations, argument, or a too preachy/shock-jock approach. If you hope to convince anyone of your point of view, you have to first be ready to calmly take a genuine interest in that person's hopes and point of view about God and Jesus Christ. If you find yourself pushing to talk much more than patiently listening, this is probably not the genuine concern for the person's conversion or not acceptable as friendly concern; so why bother. This can't be a lobbing of rhetorical thought-bombs into enemy territory. This is a conversation with someone you care about enough to discuss your reason for believing.
    • Be open and honest at all times. You could end up doing irreparable damage to your friendship, if you let intense emotions simmer underneath the surface to direct the conversation. It should always be civil, positive and cordial. Never cut the friend off, accuse him or her of lying, being prejudiced or saying malicious things to make a point. An idea can be edgy, if it's dispassionate and worth talking about. Discriminating tastes in food and in life's issues, for some good stuff, means you have an angle (a stand), a point of view.
  4. Don't try to convert your friend or to present ultimate ideas (don't ask for conclusions or offer stark dilemmas of Heaven versus Hell...). The best way to get someone interested in Christianity is to present faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God in your personal, fulfilling life, following Jesus. Show the Christian life as fulfilling, exciting, attractive to others and they'll be more interested, curious to learn more about the way you live your life as a Christian.
    • You're not just arguing facts. You're discussing faith based on the truth about God's son. That's the best you can do. The way to do this isn't by trying to badger or prod someone to convert, or by engaging them in a "tic-for-tat" of competitive debate about the virtues of Jesus (but you need to be ready to answer how your faith in Him is not about arguing the "fallacies" or bad/good points of the world's religions or various past or present civilizations and their deities). It is vital daily life in Christ.

Talking About Your Faith

  1. Tell your friend what your Christianity means to you. Explain how your faith in Christ has helped you to live a better life and discuss what Jesus Christ means to you. It may also be useful to tell your friend about people you've met at church and the community that you've built there. Keep the conversation focused on the tools that following God's son gives you.[1]
    • Why do you feel you're better off for being a Christian, in getting through your day-to-day life? In general, it's best to avoid discussing the concept of eternal punishment for non-Christians with an atheist, which will turn into a debate. If someone feels like you're trying to "save" them, it can seem condescending and frustrating for your friend.
  2. Establish a common language. When you have a discussion, it is best to speak the same language. This means that you will have to back up and use secular reasoning and vocabulary to establish your theological ideas. It might be helpful to discuss Christianity in terms of morality, practical tools for living, and other more secular
  3. Don't try to debate the specifics of the Bible. A discussion between a believer and a non-believer doesn't need to be a debate about science, or creationism, or an intricate dissection of the creation of the world as discussed in Genesis. Discuss faith in terms of your church, writings of Early church and personal experience of it. What does it mean to you, to be a Christian? That's got nothing to do with dinosaur bones and the age of the earth. Avoid these subjects.
    • Many Christians have very different relationships with the Bible, and you may be quite knowledgeable about Bible study and the history of the document. Conversely, many Christians emphasize a personal relationship with Christ as the fundamental aspect of their being blessed in Christ.
    • An atheist may want to hear definitive evidence, not a discussion of your life in Christ, but a discussion of Christianity isn't a debate between "science", "intelligent design" and "creationism." Treating this like a debate of science will get you nowhere with a nonbeliever. All you can do is represent Jesus Christ as the one you follow.
  4. Try to understand the perspective of your friend. Has your friend always been a nonbeliever? Has something happened to cause this person pain in life, or feel that religious leaders are hypocritical? Or does your friend simply choose to base a belief system on scientific empirical evidence? Whatever the reason is, you need to get to the core of your friend's beliefs and try to understand them.
    • Do not assume to know the answer to this question. Not all atheists are "angry" at God, or are lapsed believers, or are depressed about their lack of belief. Listen when you ask questions and try to understand their key disbelief.
  5. Let your friend try to convert you. Your friend may be curious about your beliefs, especially if they weren't raised as a Christian. And if this person feels comfortable with you, this will lead to questioning and challenging you. The less defensive you are, the more reasonable you seem. Be comfortable in your faith in God and remain calm. If you're having fun, the other person will, too.
    • If your friend constantly wants to discuss Biblical fallacies, or "Can God make a mountain God can't move?" types of questions, don't engage in debate. All you need to say is "That's not possible to know, and I'm comfortable with that. It doesn't make me any less of a believer."

Keeping the Dialog Open

  1. Walk the walk. If you're going to talk a big game about how great your life as a Christian is, you've got to prove it with your actions. Demonstrate love with your own life.The Bible tells us not to try and entice people with words but to demonstrate the Spirit and power. If they are sick or have pain offer to pray for them and they can be miraculously healed Some atheists are atheists because of their often-justified perception that Christians are hypocritical. But you know they're not all that way. Prove it.
  2. Invite your friend to come with you to church. The best way to introduce atheists to your religion is by treating it like you would any social function. Emphasize the fellowship and the camaraderie, and invite them to a non-service function, like a dinner or a cookout.
    • If you invite an atheist to a religious function, tell them that it is a religious function. Don't try to trick someone into attending by pretending that it is not. Do this every so often and introduce your friend to other people who attend your church. Make him or her comfortable with the individuals who make up the church and religion.
  3. Be patient. See if this person develops any interest in attending your place of worship. You may extend an invitation to attend church with you, but it would be best if your friend comes along due to their own curiosity, feeling comfortable and in control. Don't push too hard. The more your friend has to come to you, the more invested they'll be in the result.
  4. Be persistent. Show the practicality of Christianity through your own successes and friendships with Christians. If your friend truly sees that being a part of a church is like gaining dozens of new family members who demonstrate love and admiration toward others, then your friend will know where to turn in hard times..
    • Know when to call it quits. When talking about deeply-held beliefs, people can often get emotional or even angry. If possible, try to talk to them when they seem fairly open and when you are both in a good mood. Some atheists prefer written debates over oral ones. Try that if one or both of you always become overemotional.[2]
  5. If you want to pray for your friend, do it in private. Ending a contentious conversation by saying "I will pray for you" can be seen as rude. Christians believe that it is up to God, ultimately, to convince people to follow. Don't use public prayer as a pious demonstration. If God is going to answer your prayer and convert the atheist, then he would do so whether the atheist hears it or not.

Tips

  • Atheism is not a belief; it is a doubt. This is important to understand when discussing Christ. Atheists tend to favor evidence based-reasoning. Instead of trying to convert them from one belief to another, think of it as trying to provide evidence for a belief. Present your evidence, listen openly to their responses, and accept their choice. The rest is up to God.
  • Avoid intelligent atheists. The more intelligent they are, the less likely these methods will work. If they are smart enough, it may even backfire and they may convert you. The best strategy if they seem too intelligent is simply to run away.
  • Never trick someone. Never lie. When inviting an atheist to a Christian function, make sure they know exactly how overtly religious the event is. Is it just a social function, a church service, or is it a Bible reading?
  • These things take time and patience. Don't try to rush your friend, no matter how much you want to.
  • Listen carefully to the concerns and reservations of the unbeliever. Try to understand his or her stated reasons for not believing, then address each of those concerns directly. Emphasize verifiable truth over unverifiable dogma, and work together to discover what is actually true, with honesty and integrity. If you show an openness to understanding your friend's beliefs and opinions, you'll earn respect.
  • To convert someone, tell him or her to consider accepting absolutes like "good" and "evil." Your friend may have disbelief, doubts and questions, and so it may take months or years of kindness to convince them.
  • The following are about communicating Christian beliefs that may help in dealing with atheists students:
    • Help! I'm a Student Leader by Doug Fields -- with suggestions, ideas, beliefs and examples plus notes that have been written by actual students at the end of each chapter that were made while developing the book... Publisher: Zondervan, ISBN: 0310259614.
    • Max Q by Andy Stanley and Stuart Hall -- the title refers to the greatest stress on a spacecraft at a critical point of acceleration in its launch, with stress of gravity and the atmosphere Wikipedia: Max Q. Here it about dealing with life's stress like temptations and beliefs while accelerating in God's will, following Christ. Publisher: Howard Books, ISBN-10: 1582291780. There is also a companion book available: Max Q Student Journal with questions and suggestions for journalism.
  • Some Atheists will never be Christians. Imagine how you would feel if your friend was trying to convert you to another religion.
  • My pastor once said, "Don't just invite someone to church once. Invite them to come back 3 times. Your friend may not come 3 times, but try to convince them to."
  • Self examine your own faith and the reasons for it.
  • Listen very carefully to what an Atheist says to you. If you find they have a valid argument don't immediately reject it.
  • Let your friend understand what your religion means to you and then ask them what it means to them.
  • If the atheist is uninterested in or does not want to become a Christian, let them be. Nagging them will end up being annoying them, and it's okay for people to have different beliefs.
  • Don't bring up the subject suddenly. Try to connect it to your conversation in a natural matter; if your friend wants to drop it then drop it.
  • Keep in mind that Atheists often perceive Christians as being unintelligent or misinformed. Prepare for their arguments by learning as much as you can about the issues they are likely to bring up, and avoid taking offense if they are disrespectful.

Warnings

  • It is very likely your friend will not convert. Most Atheists have a solid view of what they believe, and while most are open to discussion, the chance of one converting is more than unlikely.
  • Don't make an attempt to engage on atheism each and every time you get together. It becomes wearying for both of you, and your friend will begin to avoid you because people don't like to be treated as "Godless sinners", being targeted.
  • Be warned that when approaching the subject of religion with atheists (especially with an eye to conversion) that many atheists you are likely to meet were brought up in or around the Christian faith. Many once believed, honestly and wholeheartedly, were actively involved with their church and held as true all aspects of the faith. In time these ex-Christians, through personal reasons came to a place where they did not hold the beliefs anymore and turned away from them. Frequently they had questions in their religious life and beliefs and went seeking answers, some in discussions with their priest, pastor, peers, and some studied the Bible, studied philosophy, religious history, comparative religion and science. You may believe you are bringing them a fresh and bight message of good news, one they are unaware of, but they may have a greater academic knowledge of their ideas of their subjects than you do of yours. Such questioning lead to them to dismissing their faith. Some have a background not only of a Christian faith, but information about a large number of other religions, philosophies, history and science. Also, if they have lived it, they know what it was like to be a believer in church, and had experienced the light and love of God. Many openly admit they miss the clarity and community/cultural aspect of church and Christianity, but believe that to feign a belief simply to re-gain that, would be hypocrisy for them. And, as atheists, they find it hard to pretend. So be careful, and think more than twice before attempting to convert your atheist friend. Talking with your friend on the subject of God and faith just might open questions you can't readily answer, and might cause confusion or doubt.
  • First and foremost, recognize again that there is a good chance you will fail to convert the atheist in question. If you do fail, don't be disheartened! You may either keep trying, or accept this person's beliefs and remain friends (or relatives). Try not to lose a friend you value over whether or not they believe in a God.
  • Insisting that someone discuss or worship in a religion is not effective. No matter what your religion, one should be fully persuaded, but not be treated as "unacceptable". Remember it's up to each person to decide, "but how can anyone believe, except after hearing, and if someone is sent". Jesus said: Peace (don't worry); as the Father has sent me, even so, "I send you". (John 20:21).
  • After you tell them that you believe in a friendly manner -- nagging and fussing will only make them avoid you. Pray for them, and leave the rest to God. He called you; he will call them at the right time.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.ebonmusings.org/atheism/theistguide.html
  2. ↑ http://www.ebonmusings.org/atheism/hownot.html
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