Christian 'Drop-outs'

[OpenYourEyes]

For Discussion or Debate:
How to prevent Christians from dropping out of the faith?

How to respond to Christians who have already dropped out of the faith?
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Just to elaborate on some terms and why I started this thread...
A Christian drop-out stems from the same idea of high school drop-out, in that both groups left something prematurely. The Christian drop-out leaves Christianity usually due to some problem or conflict that they encounter with their belief system and then they give up prematurely. I think most people are accustomed to hearing about and assuming that many atheists leave the faith based on rational reasons but then when I press them I find that many of the key factors that should be considered in the decision are missing. There tends to be a lack of proper understanding of God and the Bible, a lack of familiarity with Christian apologetics, and even on conducting research into their objections. As such, I tend to not spend much time answering their every objection and instead I help lay a foundation for them (in their thinking) where they can find the answers themselves because all the main problem boils down to is a problem dealing with doubt.

One recent example is of a former Christian who drew a negative conclusion about some aspect of Christianity based on an inadequate answer that their professor told them. Apparently, this person considered asking a teacher as being sufficient to deal with their doubt since their response came after my questioning of whatever research they've done on the matter. Ironically, this person dropped out of their class on religion. Notice here no real effort was put in to look for answers either because the person didn't know how and where to look or this person just gave up. This is very common sign/pattern of someone who doesn't know how to deal with doubt.

[JehovahsWitness]

[Replying to post 1 by OpenYourEyes]

Jesus couldn't stop Judas from "dropping out", I don't think the point of Christianity is to keep everyone, but to keep all sincere hearted people that want to serve God acceptably.


JEHOVAHS WITNESS

[Blastcat]

[Replying to post 120 by JehovahsWitness]

Jesus couldn't stop Judas from "dropping out", I don't think the point of Christianity is to keep everyone, but to keep all sincere hearted people that want to serve God acceptably.

I DO hope that you aren't implying that non-believers aren't "sincere hearted" people.
I don't believe in ANY god, and I can assure you that my heart's in the right place.

Did you MEAN to insult everyone outside of your faith?

[JehovahsWitness]

[Replying to post 121 by Blastcat]

Your "hopes" are totally irrelevant to both me and the debate.

The bible is the chief manual of most if not all Christias and relevant in the discussion of what Christianity judges as its goals. Scripture outlines Christians should search for men and women of goodwill by presenting the bible message to them (see Mt 28:19, 20) and leave God to judge them based on their reaction.


I am not here to debate you, your feelings or your "heart" and as long as my statements are in line with forum guidelines I could not care less if you or anyone else finds them insulting.


JW


*I will let the moderators read my posts and am confident that if anything I write violates guidelines they will point that out to me.


JW

[KenRU]

[Replying to post 1 by OpenYourEyes]

Jesus couldn't stop Judas from "dropping out", I don't think the point of Christianity is to keep everyone, but to keep all sincere hearted people that want to serve God acceptably.


JEHOVAHS WITNESS

Ok, please elaborate what you mean when you say "sincere hearted people." I am most curious.

-All the best

[JehovahsWitness]

Ok, please elaborate what you mean when you say "sincere hearted people." I am most curious.

-All the best

People whom God judges as having motives in line with His will and purpose.


JW

[Blastcat]

Ok, please elaborate what you mean when you say "sincere hearted people." I am most curious.

-All the best

People whom God judges as having motives in line with His will and purpose.


JW

It appears then, that in your opinion, very FEW people indeed are "sincere hearted". I suppose that you must consider me "insincere hearted"?

It's pretty hard for me to not take that as an insult, so, could you clear that up, please?

[JehovahsWitness]

It's pretty hard for me to not take that as an insult, so, could you clear that up, please?

No.

As I said, I am not here to talk about your feelings. For futher information please refer to post 122

[rikuoamero]

[Replying to post 126 by JehovahsWitness]

The bible is the chief manual of most if not all Christias and relevant in the discussion of what Christianity judges as its goals. Scripture outlines Christians should search for men and women of goodwill by presenting the bible message to them (see Mt 28:19, 20) and leave God to judge them based on their reaction.

Going by what you say there, it seems that (in your eyes) all a Christian has to do is hand someone a Bible and then they can consider their job done (if I'm understanding you correctly).
Can I hand you the Book of the Flying Spaghetti Monster and then walk away, and expect you to just start perusing it and come to believe in the FSM, all with no discussion on my part to try to convince you?
I hope you do realize there's more to convincing people than to just hand them a book. You have to engage with them.

[JehovahsWitness]

[Replying to post 126 by JehovahsWitness]

The bible is the chief manual of most if not all Christias and relevant in the discussion of what Christianity judges as its goals. Scripture outlines Christians should search for men and women of goodwill by presenting the bible message to them (see Mt 28:19, 20) and leave God to judge them based on their reaction.

Going by what you say there, it seems that (in your eyes) all a Christian has to do is hand someone a Bible and then they can consider their job done (if I'm understanding you correctly).

Not exactly (the scripture provided would help in understanding the details of what I was saying). I provided an explanation of my understanding of that scripture in my own words.

Can I hand you the Book of the Flying Spaghetti Monster and then walk away, and expect you to just start perusing it and come to believe in the FSM, all with no discussion on my part to try to convince you?
I hope you do realize there's more to convincing people than to just hand them a book. You have to engage with them.

If this forum was called Flying Spaghetti Monster and Apologetics then it would be an intresting discussion. I can't make any comment about what adherents to this idea would believe in this regard, possibly adherents think that that would be enough, I have absolutely no idea.

I hope you do realize there's more to convincing people than to just hand them a book. You have to engage with them.

If you are refering to "you" in general as in "one has to /people have to engage" that would, I suppose depend on the individuals goals and motives. If you are speaking referring to "me" as in me as an individual, I don't come here for you to TELL me what I have to do; your "hopes" in regard to what I as a poster do with regard to my private actions or worship, are irrelevant to this debate.

In short I am not debating me or my private life, but Christianity as presented in their principle journal.

JW

[JLB32168]

"Suing people" isn't reasoned debate.

If caring isn’t up for debate then a reprimand for introducing the subject of caring should also be addressed to the one who introduced it in the first place and not just the second. Equal time for all is my motto.

Pointing out the obvious such as EVERYONE on the planet "might be wrong" doesn't advance a reasoned debate.

See above.