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.
@mchill saidPersonally I have found the same people you call 'unbelievers', to be very receptive to the teachings of Christ.
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.
Maybe the problem is that you are teachings another doctrine.
@mchill saidI 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.
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.
@mchill saidOf course you are and you dont realise it.
Maybe the problem is that you are teachings another doctrine.
I don't recall trying to "teach" anything.
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.
@mchill saidActually, the New Testament is a little more blunt about it.
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.
"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
@suzianne saidYes, 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. 😏
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
@kellyjay saidI recommend to everyone, theist and non-theist alike, two books on the spiritual quest:
No one can prove God to another, God has to do that.
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.