Is It Immoral to Try to Convert an Atheist?

[CynthiaCypher]

I have been thinking about this. And in my view it is.

I think atheist serve a purpose and that atheism serves a function in our world. I don't see any condemnation to any who are atheist because of that.

I believe atheism is necessary to get get those who are theist out of their narrow reality tunnels. That the questions atheist pose to theist are needed to get theist to question their beliefs.

That being so, I believe that my concept of God deemed them necessary, and that they hold no threat to me because after all they are just human beings like me who think differently than me.

God gave them their nature, just as God as graced me with my nature, God in her providence has granted them the gift and blessing of unbelief, of questioning and testing. So to me it is like steel sharpening steel. I was graced with the gifts of gnosis, faith and grace. Does that make me superior? Or do their gifts make them superior?

I believe that atheism is God's will, just as much as I believe that faith is God's will.

If God wills that one creature should be a fish and another should be a bird, who are we to say that we should convert all fishes into birds or all birds into fishes. Each serves a purpose. So is it try to circumvent what is the expressed will of God is immoral?

 

[The Sum of Awe]

Not at all. In my view, it is sort of immoral once it forcefully starts to actually interfere with their personal life. I was an atheist at one time, and now I am convinced in a Working Higher, I have converted into my own view of God.

 

[fantome profane]

And if someone believes it is their duty to convert atheists, should you convince them that they are wrong about that? If it is "God's will" that they are evangelical who are you to try to change that? If that is their nature?

Perhaps this thread is immoral.

I think it was George Bernard Shaw who said that all influence is evil, because it alters a man from his true nature.

I think that is nonsense. (and to be fair Shaw was probably saying it in jest).

If you truly think someone is wrong about something, convince them. Is it really moral of you to allow them to live in delusion because it serves your own purpose of "sharpening your steel"?

Frankly trying to guess what is "God's will" often leads to some very warped thinking. Say what you think is true. Do what you think is right.

 

[LuisDantas]

I have been thinking about this. And in my view it is.

(...)

So is it try to circumvent what is the expressed will of God is immoral?

It is not immoral to try to convince others of what we sincerely believe to be a better way.

The immorality comes from the insistence in doing so despite evidence that there is no harm to be healed.

But questioning respectfully is not a bad thing. Quite on the contrary, as long as there is sincere desire to learn as well as teach.

 

[LuisDantas]

I think it was George Bernard Shaw who said that all influence is evil, because it alters a man from his true nature.

I think that is nonsense. (and to be fair Shaw was probably saying it in jest).

I think so as well. It is an obvious paradox to take such an advice. And if "influence" includes forming a family, having a spouse and raising children, then I say that true nature is quite over-rated.

 

[dust1n]

God didn't give me my nature.

 

[fantome profane]

I think so as well. It is an obvious paradox to take such an advice. And if "influence" includes forming a family, having a spouse and raising children, then I say that true nature is quite over-rated.

Right, it is a very strange to try to convince people that it is wrong to try to convince people.

 

[LuisDantas]

God didn't give me my nature.

I don't think it did, nor that it gave me mine, either.

All the same, such a scenario makes a sort of sense and is quite difficult to disprove.

 

[CynthiaCypher]

If a person committed no sin then why offer them a means of repentance? I see no fault in a person being a theist and neither do I see no fault in a person being an atheist.

 

[CynthiaCypher]

Right, it is a very strange to try to convince people that it is wrong to try to convince people.

I am not trying to convince. I am just stating an idea.

 

[dust1n]

I don't think it did, nor that it gave me mine, either.

All the same, such a scenario makes a sort of sense and is quite difficult to disprove.

What do you mean by the second sentence?

 

[fantome profane]

I am not trying to convince. I am just stating an idea.

Mental masturbation? By which I mean intellectual activity without intending any result.

 

[steeltoes]

God is an atheist, He does not believe in a Higher Power, would it be immoral to convert God? That is the question as I see it, and as long as God is an atheist I will remain an atheist, so there. Good luck converting God.

 

[CynthiaCypher]

Mental masturbation? By which I mean intellectual activity without intending any result.

Are you going to get insulting now? It is an idea. If a person has not sinned, then why ask them to repent?

Is that so hard of an idea?

I just see no reason to ask people who have committed no sin to repent of their sin.

 

[ChristineES]

I think it depends on how you do it. If you just talk about your faith and how it is to you, then, as long as the person wants to hear it (I don't believe in preaching to a person against his or her will)then no. If you get into someone's face, and tell them things like "You'd better believe in my faith or...", then that just might be immoral.

 

[LuisDantas]

What do you mean by the second sentence?

For all that we know for certain, maybe God wants us to disbelieve and protect his believers from their own excesses.

How can anyone tell?

 

[Sees]

I like a steady supply of Atheists if only to help keep separation of Church and State

Everything else in their philosophy/world-view besides their theology is more important to me really.

 

[LuisDantas]

I am not trying to convince. I am just stating an idea.

Fantome was talking about Bertrand Russell. Your OP was very clear.

 

[fantome profane]

Are you going to get insulting now? It is an idea. If a person has not sinned, then why ask them to repent?

Is that so hard of an idea?

I just see no reason to ask people who have committed no sin to repent of their sin.

No insult intended.

But honestly when you say you didn't intend to convince anyone with the op, I find that hard to believe.

Even with this post you are trying to convince. And there is nothing wrong with that.

 

[LuisDantas]

It is just as natural for human beings to want to convince others as it is to want to breathe.

But I think the OP meant to address the specific attempt of convincing atheists that God does exist and must be believed in.