Do many atheists get converted to Christianity?

[Loffler]

Tangentially related:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claims_to_ ... -Religious

[afreethinker30]

Tangentially related:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claims_to_ ... -Religious

I don't see how religious groups can give an accurate number count for members anyway.I'm sure there are alot of atheist/non believers that are afraid to admit they don't believe.And seeing how in some other countries you can be put to death for your beliefs I would think alot would be afraid to speak up.

[Smallville]

Tangentially related:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claims_to_ ... -Religious

I don't see how religious groups can give an accurate number count for members anyway.I'm sure there are alot of atheist/non believers that are afraid to admit they don't believe.And seeing how in some other countries you can be put to death for your beliefs I would think alot would be afraid to speak up.

It's also like the membership of any church. For example, my parents (8o-ish and climbing) are part of a small country church - membership 225 - 230. Sunday attendance - maybe 50 on a good Sunday. 175 and up for Easter and Christmas of course. Pop's a former deacon so I know I got his figures right.

They had me down as a 'member' for years after my deconversion, hoping it would 'cover' me just in case, although I was 20 odd years from last attending a service (a funeral) and living over a hundred miles away.

Their sanctuary burned down last year (it was over 175 years old) and I have made contributions to its rebuilding fund in honor of my folks. Hopefully, I won't be re-enlisted among the members.

[afreethinker30]

Their sanctuary burned down last year (it was over 175 years old) and I have made contributions to its rebuilding fund in honor of my folks. Hopefully, I won't be re-enlisted among the members

Wow alot of history in that building.Thats a sweet thing to do.Even though I don't agree with teachings of the church I still hate to see this stuff happen.Around here there are alot of beautiful old goth/roman churches here.Some truly beautiful details in those building.

[Loffler]

This thread makes me miss the tiny church in my dad's hometown my siblings and I attended as children. The old people, the sound of old people, the smell of old people, the old hymnals and bibles.

[atheist2308]

I guess I could throw my 2 cents in here.

Many of you may not believe me or doubt what I say but I would call myself a true atheist. From birth to today, I have never once believed and I do not see that changing. As a child I remember being forced to go to church by my mom and grandmother. I say forced because I did not want to be there. I didn't know why I was that way then but now that I'm older and know the truth (as it is to me), I was truly born an atheist. As for people trying to convert me, many have tried and they have all failed. There is no shaking my foundation as an atheist.

[Voter]

Here's one:
http://hittingbedrock.blogspot.com/sear ... conversion

[Msblue]

Why would you convert into Christianity because someone you loved suddenly died? That seems to me like worshiping the poison that killed your mother. (Assuming you like your mother of course). I could maybe see it if you had a traumatic event, or a near death experience, and you had a "vision" of god or someone telling you that they will save you, but this is caused by the brainwashing set in place by parents and churches.

Because the thought of no after life sucks.That we die and it's all over.My mother didn't die suddenly she lived thru chemo,radiation and surgery.Then when her body started to phase out I watched her lay in pain for 6 days before she died.It's easy to say that ,you can't understand but try being in a postion where you watch someone you love suffer for 9 months.You try dealing with all of that and the loss of someone who loved you and you loved.Try explaining it to your children,and dealing with suddenly knowing you will never see that person again.It's easy to say what you think you would do,but it's different when it happens to you.The thought of heaven can be very sootheing,that we will live on in a better life.

I'm sorry for you loss.

I have a quick story.
When my Grandfather was dying of lung cancer a religious friend told me he would say a prayer for him. I replied "thanks" Looking back, I realize I should of told him... no one's listening.
A few months later we got into an argument and he said I thought I believed I because I accepted his prayer. He truly thought he converted me!

[Loffler]

I'm sorry for you loss.

I have a quick story.
When my Grandfather was dying of lung cancer a religious friend told me he would say a prayer for him. I replied "thanks" Looking back, I realize I should of told him... no one's listening.
A few months later we got into an argument and he said I thought I believed I because I accepted his prayer. He truly thought he converted me!

He thought this because Christians are told every Sunday that that's how it happens: that people just go around accepting Christ into their hearts. They're taught that preaching the good word works on people, and that atheists routinely shut off their mental faculties and start believing stories that make them feel good.

[nikkixsugar]

It's a lot more rare than people think because more often than not the stories you hear are fabrications. I had a woman in my office tell this big story about how she converted an atheist to Christianity and it was a complete lie, and it's hardly the first time I've heard it.

If anyone ever gives you a story like that, ask for verification as it's usually an attempt to further lie to him or herself. You see if atheists were to convert as often as Christians left the faith, they could excuse it as equal. That's not the case. Most that leave religion don't go back.

Kind of like what Dawkins says. people say "I used to be an atheist so/but.." to kind of give them credentials so they "know where we're coming from.

[Loffler]

It's a lot more rare than people think because more often than not the stories you hear are fabrications. I had a woman in my office tell this big story about how she converted an atheist to Christianity and it was a complete lie, and it's hardly the first time I've heard it.

If anyone ever gives you a story like that, ask for verification as it's usually an attempt to further lie to him or herself. You see if atheists were to convert as often as Christians left the faith, they could excuse it as equal. That's not the case. Most that leave religion don't go back.

Kind of like what Dawkins says. people say "I used to be an atheist so/but.." to kind of give them credentials so they "know where we're coming from.

Well I do that too, in the opposite direction, but typically in response to Christians saying we can't comment on the Bible from an educated perspective.