I’ve pretty much given up trying to reason with atheists.
No matter what evidences I give that there is a God they will always reject it. Always. For the most part I have never met such a recalcitrant, incorrigible group.
I mean it’s ridiculous. They are everywhere and they pretty much say the same thing, like they’ve read a special book or something on how to deny the truth of a Creator using the same old standard ten or so questions.
For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.
So what’s a Christian to do? We can’t ignore them. We still have to give the truth of God’s standards and the Good News to them because they are perishing. We are to love our enemies, bless those who curse us, do good to those who hate us and pray for those who mistreat us according to Jesus (Luke 6). But how can you deliver God’s Word in a way that they will understand, even though they may outright reject it every time?
Build a better mousetrap.
Try a gentle Q & A. Give them the first minute or so to state their case on why they are an atheist, then graciously ask a few questions. I tried this out on an atheist at a recent street fair. Watch what happens:
There is no need to get yourself embroiled in a debate when they use misinformation and lousy facts (e.g. Frank said, “…most of the stuff in the bible is stolen from other religions.” “Jesus was a guy…who was looking for political support…” etc.). If you argue against these statements, you’ve lost. You are on their turf now and you will lose. (Read why you can’t argue with atheists here.) Not only that, you will have lost the primary goal in this encounter: Get the Word out.
Remember, you are not trusting in your wise and persuasive arguments, you are trusting in the fact that God’s Word will do it’s work. (See my previous article on the efficacy of God’s Word here.) Ask a few questions. Listen attentively to the atheist’s response then ask another evangelistic question.
This even “works” on college students:
Conclusion: Be gentle. Don’t argue. Ask poignant questions. Listen. They will have no idea what you are doing—and they don’t have to.
God knows.
Garrett
Nohm
Glenn Parker
Nohm
perdita
BathTub
Glenn Parker
vintango2k
Garrett
Steve Sanchez
Garrett
Garrett
Steve Sanchez
Nohm
Nohm
Nohm
revulayshun
Vagon
Nameless Cynic
Nohm
Nohm
Nohm
Nathan W.
Nohm
Vagon
vintango2k
Char
perdita
Nohm
Nohm
Nohm
Nohm
Garrett
Steve Sanchez
Nohm
Nohm
Steve Sanchez
Vagon
Steve Sanchez
Nohm
Steve Sanchez
Nohm
Steve Sanchez
Vagon
Bizzle
Steve Sanchez
Nohm
Nohm
Nohm
Michael Mock
Nameless Cynic
Bizzle
Bizzle
Nameless Cynic
Vagon
Bizzle
vintango2k
Vagon
BathTub
Nohm
BathTub
Nohm
Steve Sanchez
Nohm
Vagon
Garrett
john
Steve Sanchez
john
Steve Sanchez
Nameless Cynic
Garrett
Laurie Griffin
Garrett
BathTub
Michael Mock
Steve Sanchez
Michael Mock
Michael Mock
john
michael coughlin
john
Steve Sanchez
Glenn Parker
Nameless Cynic
vintango2k
Thomas Moore
Thomas Moore
john
perdita
perdita
vintango2k
glenda
glenda
Laurie Griffin
Nicholas Landsman
Nohm
Steve Sanchez
Nohm
Nohm
Nicholas Landsman
Davy
Patrick
Nicholas Landsman
Patrick
Nicholas Landsman
Emily
Steve Sanchez
Donna Dennison