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Interactions with unbelievers

Interactions with unbelievers

Spirituality

mchill
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As a Christian (this one anyway) it can be tricky, and that's why I don't post a lot in the spirituality forum. Having been an unbeliever myself, once I understand the arguments of the unbelievers here. With no more than an average understanding of the finer points of scripture, discussing the subject with unbelievers here seems fruitless, since it's unlikely to alter anyone's views. So, what to do? 1. Be respectful and polite. 2. Try to convey the idea that faith is a gift. 3. Tell an occasional short story of my path to faith. 4. Above all, let the unbelievers here decide the matter for themselves, being mindful of the fact that faith is not something that can be forced, and is usually not arrived at through debate or argument.

Rajk999
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1 edit

@mchill said
As a Christian (this one anyway) it can be tricky, and that's why I don't post a lot in the spirituality forum. Having been an unbeliever myself, once I understand the arguments of the unbelievers here. With no more than an average understanding of the finer points of scripture, discussing the subject with unbelievers here seems fruitless, since it's unlikely to alter anyone's ...[text shortened]... faith is not something that can be forced, and is usually not arrived at through debate or argument.
Personally I have found the same people you call 'unbelievers', to be very receptive to the teachings of Christ.

Maybe the problem is that you are teachings another doctrine.

moonbus
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@mchill said
As a Christian (this one anyway) it can be tricky, and that's why I don't post a lot in the spirituality forum. Having been an unbeliever myself, once I understand the arguments of the unbelievers here. With no more than an average understanding of the finer points of scripture, discussing the subject with unbelievers here seems fruitless, since it's unlikely to alter anyone's ...[text shortened]... faith is not something that can be forced, and is usually not arrived at through debate or argument.
I don’t think anyone was ever converted to religion, any religion, by argument. In my circle of friends and acquaintances who are religious, it always comes back to personal stories. Arguments come after the conversion.

mchill
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@rajk999 said
Personally I have found the same people you call 'unbelievers', to be very receptive to the teachings of Christ.

Maybe the problem is that you are teachings another doctrine.
Maybe the problem is that you are teachings another doctrine.

I don't recall trying to "teach" anything.

Rajk999
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@mchill said
Maybe the problem is that you are teachings another doctrine.

I don't recall trying to "teach" anything.
Of course you are and you dont realise it.
This sounds like you are teaching something

2. Try to convey the idea that faith is a gift.
3. Tell an occasional short story of my path to faith.

Suzianne
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@mchill said
As a Christian (this one anyway) it can be tricky, and that's why I don't post a lot in the spirituality forum. Having been an unbeliever myself, once I understand the arguments of the unbelievers here. With no more than an average understanding of the finer points of scripture, discussing the subject with unbelievers here seems fruitless, since it's unlikely to alter anyone's ...[text shortened]... faith is not something that can be forced, and is usually not arrived at through debate or argument.
Actually, the New Testament is a little more blunt about it.

"And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them." -- Luke 9:5, KJV

mchill
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@suzianne said
Actually, the New Testament is a little more blunt about it.

"And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them." -- Luke 9:5, KJV
Yes, I read that one. I'll have to shake off the very (mud) though. Dust doesn't normally show up here in Seattle until about July. 😏

KellyJay
Walk your Faith

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@moonbus said
I don’t think anyone was ever converted to religion, any religion, by argument. In my circle of friends and acquaintances who are religious, it always comes back to personal stories. Arguments come after the conversion.
No one can prove God to another, God has to do that.

BigDogg
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Everyone is an unbeliever on certain things.

divegeester
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@suzianne said
Actually, the New Testament is a little more blunt about it.

"And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them." -- Luke 9:5, KJV
Pure Galveston75! 😀

moonbus
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@bigdogg said
Everyone is an unbeliever on certain things.
I don't believe that !

moonbus
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@kellyjay said
No one can prove God to another, God has to do that.
I recommend to everyone, theist and non-theist alike, two books on the spiritual quest:

Th. Merton, The Seven Story Mountain
and
Karl Jung, Memories, Dreams, Recollections

Two profoundly spiritual men who sought, and came to radically different conclusions about organized religion, neither of whom ever lost the sense of the spiritual quest.

divegeester
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@mchill said
As a Christian (this one anyway) it can be tricky, and that's why I don't post a lot in the spirituality forum.
I can see why.

divegeester
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@mchill said
Having been an unbeliever myself,
Everyone is born and unbeliever.

divegeester
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@mchill said
With no more than an average understanding of the finer points of scripture, discussing the subject with unbelievers here seems fruitless, since it's unlikely to alter anyone's views.
Those who do have a higher than “average understanding of the finer points of scripture” also don’t changes anyones views.

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