How to Convert Others - Page 2

Shiranui117 · #16 Jun 6, '10, 4:38 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redratfish

As someone with many atheist friends, I do not suggest arguing the intelligent design theory. Any Atheist worth his salt will know how to dismiss that, and quite frankly its not that difficult. I do agree you should get his impression on incorruptible bodies.

Remember, atheists are people too. They want to be respected for their beliefs, or lack their of. Being a friend is one of the best things you can do.

Amen. The first step for conversion is consideration of the other person's spiritual condition. Though, one thing I will add, intelligent design can mean many things: It can mean aliens designing humanity or life on earth, it can imply God and the 6-day creation, or it can mean theistic evolution.

tpw · #17 Jun 14, '10, 8:41 pm

Encourage him to read the work of Fr. Ronald Rolheiser. He's probably one of the best Catholic spiritual writers around.

NFrancis · #18 Jun 24, '10, 5:57 pm

The most important thing to do is pray and put it in God's hands.

Also, you could take him to national park or some forest or something. I find nature very inspiring and it makes me think that there has to be a God. You can also take him to a Mass, possibly at a Basillica or Cathedral or anywhere where he may be inspired.

And, you could try to mention the Eucharistic miracles and the Marian apparitions.

Joshnyams · #19 Jun 25, '10, 7:03 am

First pray for him then encourage him to read the bible. Teach him about christian beliefs and what christian religion stands for. Let him understand that faith is personal and it is not about going to church or being a member of any church. It is the acceptance of God and repentance of sins.

tpw · #20 Jun 26, '10, 12:16 pm

Please note Intelligent Design is not a Catholic teaching. It assumes a simplistic, direct, cause and effect relationship between the creator and all creation which eradicates all mystery and is actually even contrary to the thoughtful, moderating, evolution position embraced by the church.

This position acknowledges certain truths about evolution (biological evolution) while not embracing evolution as an explanation for the totality of human questions and searching about our origins and destiny.

Shiranui117 · #21 Jun 26, '10, 1:47 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by tpw

Please note Intelligent Design is not a Catholic teaching. It assumes a simplistic, direct, cause and effect relationship between the creator and all creation which eradicates all mystery and is actually even contrary to the thoughtful, moderating, evolution position embraced by the church.

This position acknowledges certain truths about evolution (biological evolution) while not embracing evolution as an explanation for the totality of human questions and searching about our origins and destiny.

Keep in mind here that ID is a very broad position, ranging from the likes of Theistic Evolution to Old Earth Creationism to the "Watchmaker" idea (God created the universe and let nature take its course from there)

magdelaine1173 · #22 Jun 27, '10, 6:13 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spencerian

Hi.

As budding Catholic apologetics, we're often reminded by on-air apologists such as Tim Staples that it is not we who convert someone into the faith, but the Holy Spirit. Tim also frequently quips: "I'm not in sales. I'm in marketing."

That is, we as apologists help spread the Word, to explain and defend our faith, help others with our knowledge of Christ and the Church and how its history and influence are positives, as well as helping others differentiate the false or watered-down versions of Christianity and other religions.

But in the end, every argument we may have available, every historical fact, even any scientific evidence will not convert those who question too actively, who want proof or hard evidence, who cannot leap on faith. It is the Holy Spirit that will ask the final questions in the person's heart, to which the person may say, "Yes," "No," or "Not yet."

Your friend sounds like an agnostic...a "Not yet." Try the arguments of intelligent design with him/her. See the complexity as something that cannot be simply random. See the infinity of numbers that exist on a ruler's markings of "1" and "2." Contemplate the sequences of DNA. Explore the incorruptible bodies of the saints and other miracles in the world. Somewhere there might be an answer that leads your friends closer to the Spirit.

God bless.

I could not have said it any better myself. It is the Holy Spirit that will move your friend in the right direction. Give him time, and be patient. All good things happen at their own time, not ours.

God Bless

crazydyl · #23 Jul 5, '10, 10:13 am

http://www.trueauthority.com/cvse/fiftyreasons.htm
http://www.answersingenesis.org/arti...-not-fractured and the rest of the website

''There are no transitional forms found, only the end product. David Kitz said, "Evolution requires intermediate forms between species and paleontology does not provide them."[2] David Kitts is an evolutionist. Even if one or two were found, they are suspect even among evolutionists and in order to prove evolution, you would need hundreds of thousands everywhere.''

''Some arguments for evolution is that if you give it enough time anything could happen. But unbeknownst to most, evolution doesn't have enough time. Billions or trillions of years is not even close to how much time would be needed. Rick Ramashing and Sir Fred Hoyle calculated the probability for one cell to evolve by chance. The atheist/agnostic team found to their disbelief that it is 1 chance in 10 to the 40,000th power years just for one cell to evolve. Hoyle said, "The chance that higher life forms might have emerged in this way is comparable with the chance that 'a tornado sweeping through a junk-yard might assemble a Boeing 747 from the materials therein.' "[3] Does evolution have enough time? No.''