How to Persuade a Christian to Become Atheist

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: May 5, 2022 References

Belief is deeply personal and deeply rooted in both how we are raised and our emotions. Our beliefs help us make sense of the world and give us a guideline for how we treat others, and help us create meaning in life. Every person is entitled to their beliefs and disrespecting those who do not share a belief of your own is a moral disservice to them and yourself. However, in some cases, you may think a certain belief is harmful for the individual or society. Engaging in regular theological discussions can help change your friend's mindset (or even your own). Just know that change is a long process.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Researching Belief Systems

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Educate yourself. Read everything you can about atheism, Christianity and religious history. Learn both sides of the coin, both atheist and Christian beliefs, in addition to other religions and belief systems. Morals and values run parallel through many belief systems, allowing for common grounds for discussion in all religions.
- There are many resources online that can help you learn about religious systems, including podcasts, and audio and visual classes.^{[1]
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2
Read and understand their holy book cover to cover. Argument and persuasion cannot be effectively built out of thin air. You must understand where your friend is coming from in order to build a bridge between your two belief systems. At the same time, remember that you can't use logic to persuade someone out of a position that they didn't use logic to get into.
- The Bible is regarded as one of the most influential sources on literature in western culture. It is a great read for narrative merit alone.^{[2]
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3
Learn common arguments leveled by theists. Even though it is not possible to prepare for every argument you should know some of the more common talking points in Christian apologetics.
- These include arguments like the fine-tuned Universe, which argues that our Universe supports life so well and works in such a precise way that it must have been intelligently designed. This argument directly challenges our science-based understanding of the origins of the Universe.
- Some may also argue that atheism is “unscientific” because of the belief that in the beginning, non-matter created matter. They may say that this has never been observed, tested, or repeated; therefore, some will argue that an ultimate creator is needed to fix this “dilemma”.
- Another argument, Pascal’s Wager, is the suggestion that one should live their life under the assumption that God does exist, given that the stakes are skewed. If God does not exist, your life simply ends. However, if God does exist, how you behaved in life determines whether you will be rewarded eternally in Heaven or punished eternally in Hell. This argument, though steeped in logic, raises questions of honesty, morality, and the extent of God's powers.^{[3]
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Examine your own myths, urban legends, and superstitions. Learn why people believe stories backed by anecdotal evidence. Understanding something about belief as it pertains to psychology will better prepare you for counter-arguments and why you may feel the way you do about your own beliefs.
- Urban myths such as Bloody Mary for example have no proof or scientific basis and are believed to be untrue. However, the myth is still passed around because the idea that such events could exist is alluring and fun.
- Urban myths and other legends often stem from real life events or people that actually existed, but the truth behind them has become exaggerated or twisted over time. Bloody Mary for example may stem from Mary Worth, a woman hanged for witchcraft, or Queen Mary I of England, who was known for her ruthlessness. ^{[4]
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Study basic physics and biology. Some arguments stem from misinterpretations and misinformation about physics or biology. Understanding the core of these subjects will allow you to challenge unscientific arguments and assumptions.
- Evolution is the most widely known areas of contention between some Christians and atheists. Studying natural selection and how creatures survive and die off is a good place to start your studies.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Engaging in Conversation

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Let them engage. Let them engage the conversation first. This sidesteps any feelings that you may be attacking their belief system with an agenda. Remain calm, firm, and reasonable. A common stereotype of atheists is that they are angry and hostile.
- Explain why you are an atheist and what that means to you. The goal of conversation is to wipe away preconceived notions about one another’s beliefs.
- For example, you could say: “I believe that people have the ability to identify and choose right from wrong by experiencing life on their own.”
- You might also say: “People are wildly complex and interesting – I believe they can make mistakes, but also learn from them, without needing to be policed.”
2
Ask questions about their beliefs. Why do they hold a particular belief? Sometimes pointing out a single fallacy every now and then is sufficient. Ask them to explain something about their religion you don't understand to help you to think about deeper meaning.
- You might ask your friend: “How can God allow some in the world to starve and others to eat?”
- You might also ask: “I’m interested in what Christians think of the fact that the Bible was written by several individuals. Is it difficult to trust in so many differing accounts?”
- Suggest your friend start questioning everyday occurrences. Questioning authenticates truth and can become a habit that help change thinking.^{[5]
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Stay casual. Show that atheism has not impacted your life in a negative way. If they bring up their belief that God had a hand in an event in their life, it is okay to point out other factors that helped them, such as their own actions or a professional's skills. They will likely integrate this into their own position, saying that these resources and acts of free will on their part were part of God's greater plan.
- For example, getting accepted into college might feel like a divine gift, but it was an individual's hard work that paved the way. You might tell them: “Congratulations! All of that studying really paid off.”
4
Avoid logical fallacies. Both sides of any debate will often create incorrect argumentation and rely on rhetoric without even noticing.
- Common informal fallacies in debate include circular reasoning, which begins and ends an argument with the same idea. For example, “The Bible makes no false claims; whatever the Bible says is true; thus, the Bible contains only truth.” The second and third portions of the argument are the same concept, and thus, not an argument of merit.^{[6]
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Socialize with them. Spend a day with an eclectic group of friends that come from all walks of life. Exposure to others’ views and philosophies helps all of us expand our thinking.
- Avoid activities that might make your friends of particular faiths uncomfortable, such as wild parties or violent movies.
- Board games, shopping or hiking are excellent activities that everyone can enjoy.
6
Give your friend practical advice for their problems. Use personal experience to offer authenticity. If your friend shares some wisdom from the Bible, quote similar wisdom from another belief system or a wise historical individual.
- For example, if your friend is falling behind at school: "I feel you - I had a hard time dealing with all that homework too. Have you looked into study groups? I joined one with my classmates and we ended up finishing the homework in half the time.'
- In times of your friend's lack of confidence, you might offer: "When I feel down, I always think to this great Buddhist quote: 'You can explore the universe looking for somebody who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and you will not find that person anywhere.'"
7
Know when to back away. Do not let differences and debate cause the end of a friendship. Know when to drop the conversation.
- Don’t raise your voice. A raised voice often indicates or leads to anger, which can throw the discussion off track. If your friend begins to raise their voice, ease off of the conversation.
- Avoid physicality. A discussion that turns physical is no longer a discussion. If you or your friend start getting pushy, end the conversation and put some space between the two of you for the time being.
- Talking about your feelings behind your thoughts helps create a more peaceful and constructive atmosphere. Show your friend that you are coming from a place of caring, rather than just looking to win an argument^{[7]
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- Keep the argument on track. If the conversation turns to other issues, such as personal attacks or insults, it is time to drop the conversation.
- If your friend becomes angry or hurt, back away from the conversation and apologize. Even if you feel you are in the right, hurting another’s feelings was not the intent of the conversation and you don’t want to risk your friendship.
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Be open-minded. Listen and understand their point of view. If their faith brings them peace and fulfillment, accept that fact. Don’t damage or take away another’s sense of peace. ^{[8]
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Community Q&A

Question

Why cant both Christians and atheists just coexist without trying to turn it into a debate?

Community Answer

Many of them do. But some people just feel strongly enough about the rightness of their own beliefs, and the wrongness of other people's beliefs, that they want to convince others to believe what they believe - particularly if they perceive the other person's beliefs as being harmful or disadvantageous in some way.
Question

Why would I want to convert someone to Atheism?

Community Answer

If you don't want to, you don't have to. Some atheists are bothered by religion, feeling that it's illogical or often used as a justification for immoral behavior. Other atheists don't mind religious people as long as they are decent human beings. If you don't want to convince someone to be an atheist, you don't have to.
Question

Do atheists oftentimes have strong faith that there is no God?

Luna Rose

Top Answerer

Atheism is based on logic, not faith. Most atheists take a logical look at the universe and find no evidence to clearly say that God either exists or doesn't exist. Thus, they don't know, and decide not to believe in God unless God is somehow scientifically proven to be real. It's quite dispassionate, and atheists may feel emotions like acceptance, annoyance, or indifference when it comes to religion. A minority of atheists are very angry, usually because they've seen abuses or ridiculous behavior by religious people and institutions. But most atheists are simply comfortable not believing in God for logical reasons, and are happy to accept a vision of a world where goodness is its own reward with nothing waiting for them afterwards.

Warnings

Religion is responsible for many wars don't let your conversation become one too.

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Think about your friendship. Are the two of you close? Religious debate can be trying on even the best of friendships and a firm foundation to stand on could make all the difference if the outcome is not positive.

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