ATHEISTS: What would be a reason to 'convert' someone?

Question

Before you read any further, note that I am atheist (well, more agnostic) and I am not trying to slam anyone here so DO NOT assume please.

Christians or any other religious folk sometimes will attempt to convert others with good intention (most of the time). I think they are just trying to help others into heaven and not see them burn in h**l. And although I don't really believe that will happen, I still think they have good intentions.

In your opinion, what would be a good reason behind educating someone about your beliefs and trying to get them to "come to their senses" so to speak? Sort of like, converting them I guess?

This is mostly for atheists. Theists can answer, just be nice please.

Answer 1

I don't give a woop woop what any one believes or doesn't believe. I only care about what I believe. The only reason I could fathom for converting someone from a belief system is if they were going to harm themselves or another because of it. That all I got.

Answer 2

atheism isn't a religion there isn't much reason to convert someone

Answer 3

If their faith was threatening them in any way.  Oh wait.  That's what religions do, they threaten you with some sort of h**l.

Answer 4

Christians try to convert you because your eternal soul is at stake! If an atheist converts you nothing is at stake. Right? No God, no soul, nothing to lose! I am a Christian and I find it hard not to believe in nothing. You say its for atheist, but how would an atheist tell you that God doesn't exist? Were on the ball, hanging in nothingness (for lack of a better word), with all these different stars, planets, comets etc..spinning and twirling around in an order (you may not understand it) that says Here I am, your God! God bless the atheist!

Answer 5

I'm a Buddhist atheist.  We don't look for converts.  If I were to try to convert someone I would do it by wearing my mala and living right.  If anyone asked me to share the Dharma, I would.  That's the key, you share your beliefs only when invited.

Answer 6

As another agnostic who tends to have some sympathy for many of the atheists here, I see what they are doing as also attempting to help their friend avoid h**l, but a more logical and temporal one.  For example, the attached You Tube video is something I see as not just comedy, but also trying to help friends avoid being scammed.

Is it nice to sit by and watch friends be scammed and say nothing?

No.  The nice thing to do is help your friends realize they are being ripped off!

It's also not nice to allow a friend to wallow in feelings of self-pity or self-loathing.  In fact, I'd say that's pretty cruel.

Answer 7

That free ice cream is a good reason.

Everything in life is a relationship.

If parties to the relationship concur, anything may be discussed.

The actual work would be done by the Holy Spirit.

Hope this helps.

Remember, we all all in this together!

God love you!

Answer 8

I don't try to convert anyone.  I present the facts the best way I can.  It is up to them what they do with them.  

Answer 9

I don't try to "convert" anyone.  I just try to make them think.

Answer 10

We don't convert. We leave that up to people to make their own decision to become an atheist.

Answer 11

I don't think anyone has the right to convert anybody. Their intentions may be good, but they are purely self indulgent.

Answer 12

Free chocolate ice cream.  That's what did it for me

Answer 13

because the truth, no matter how harsh, is still the truth.

Answer 14

I would never try to "convert" any one about religion or politics.

Answer 15

Myth #1: Atheism is a specific ideology.

Actually atheism is GENERAL ideology that just means "without god(s)". As well as many "open minded", and "free thinkers", atheism also includes many other ideologies including: anti-religious, god/religion haters.

Myth #2: All atheists are open minded.

Atheism is a general ideology. Even a simple sweeping statement like "All atheists are open minded" is assigning attributes to others that they do not necessarily attribute or want attributed to themselves (close minded/fascist). Some atheists are very close minded, proud of it, and resent being told by other atheists (or anyone) how they should think.

Myth #3: Atheism cannot be called a religion because it is a lack of religion.

Many, but NOT all, atheists treat their beliefs in a way that is not compatible with our common conception of (organized) religion in that it requires spirituality and/or a "higher power".

Some atheists are spiritual (eg: Buddhists).

Some atheists are religious but consider their disbelief in a self-aware god to best conform with the term "atheist" (eg: some Pantheists).

Some atheists use their belief in certain scientific theories (beliefs backed with proof, but beliefs none the less) like a religion.

The dictionary definition of religion includes "3. the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices. 6. something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience: to make a religion of fighting prejudice. "

Some atheists ARE evangelical and actively attempt to convert people to their views. Some even use crude ridicule and insults to do this.

Answer 16

I am not interested in having someone become an atheist.  I only want to understand how someone who uses their brain can ever believe.    

Answer 17

Control. Why else? That's how it has always been. That's why the first schools were part of christian monasteries and such. You see all of those commercials on Television about how people are starving in africa? They show this half starved girl and always include a couple flies crawling over her skin.

It's marketing and psychological operations. they HIRE people to do this garbage straight out of the military. Maybe the church doesn't hire them but the people they hire to do the commercial certainly does. Even CNN and the Red Cross do it. It's all about control.

I would love to see a christian help anybody else because he or she is a fellow human being. That would be the day pigs fly.

Thanks for being nice by the way. Your respect is noted and returned in kind.

Answer 18

Out in public it can look as if they are generously looking after the unbeliever's best interests, but privately the Christian is gloating; smugly assuming that he has the truth and everyone else will burn in h**l.

Answer 19

Atheists aren't converted, they're educated.

Answer 20

To prevent them from messing around with the government and doing things like banning teaching of evolution in science classroom, banning stem cell research, and denying rights to g**s.

To prevent them from infecting other people, including their children.

Think about it, the world would be a better place with atheists.  Better education, more educated people, people would care about science, faster scientific progress, people would try to find solutions to problems instead of saying God did it.

If you believe you're going to go to Heaven when you die, do you care if there is a treatment for cancer or not?  Now if you believe you're going to rot and cease to exist instead, are you going to care?

____

Answer 21

I'm a theist and believe the Bible is true, that there is a heaven, there is a h**l. Atheists say this is not so, however for illustration; if I worked in a store and a man walked in and had his hand in his pocket and told me that if I didn't give him all the money, he would shoot me. I see no gun, but would I call his bluff?

NO, I would not take the chance on my life, so also for my life in this world, I am living as if the Bible is true and will give me a home in heaven if I obey it, an eternity in a burning h**l if I don't so I will not call it a bluff.

Just a thought......

Answer 22

I would love to convert religious people to this thing called "Reality"

Answer 23

Well, growing up with Christians, I can pretty soundly say that the reason they try to convert non-Christians is not because they want to see us in Heaven, but because it reinforces their own beliefs.

But if someone asked me what it's like being atheist, I would say it fxcking rocks, but I wouldn't say anything about it unless they asked.

Answer 24

"Sort of like, converting them I guess?"

No; not at all - it's exactly like trying to wake someone up.

There is absolutely NO logic behind a belief in invisible sky swoopers.

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