How to Talk About Christianity With an Atheist

Having an open and honest talk about Christianity with an atheist can be both a rewarding and frustrating experience. Some atheists are open minded and enjoy sharing thoughts back and forth. Some are very closed minded and uninterested in what you have to say. The same can be said for Christians. When you are mixing two very different trains of thought with one another, they are bound to clash unless there is a common respect between the two.

Instructions

1. Avoid leading the conversation with fire and brimstone. We are in no position to declare who is going to heaven or hell. The quickest way to lose anyones attention is to start preaching to them about this subject. It is pompous and self defeating, at best. Try approaching an atheist with a heartfelt concern, the story of Jesus and why he died for us.

2. Be sincere without looking down your nose at your atheist friend with an all knowing sarcasm. A genuine concern is not an invitation to judge internally. It is a concern about what the atheist could gain from knowing Jesus Christ. When one thinks of their true relationship with the Lord, they tend to consider his love, compassion and guidance. Not the fact that they will go to Hell if they do not comply. When you witness to an atheist, concentrate on the gifts and understanding that the Lord offers his children.

3. Listen. When an atheist has something to say, be quiet. Atheists are no different than Christians. Their lives have led them to the reality of atheist beliefs and they have a right to them. Many Christians can not even let an atheist get a word out of their mouth before trying to correct them. Learn to be quiet and listen to what they have to say. Without this skill, you are simply picking a fight.

4. Value what they have to say. This is not to say you should abandon your Christian beliefs. It is simply saying that we must understand that atheists are not generally evil people. They are people just like you that believe in something different. As such, if you completely ignore what they are saying, you are not witnessing. You are preaching. There is a difference.

5. Remember the purpose of your conversation. Jesus does not wish for you to convert people against their free will. Free will is the choice that is given to humans from the days of Adam and Eve. Your job is to tell the story, and be there if they wish to be brought to Jesus Christ. You are there to answer questions if they have them.