My Neighbors are Athiests, How can I help them?

OK, so I am not a heavily religious man nor do I practice any particular religion but I do believe in spiritual life and a creator. I believe that it is no accident we are her now to face the lives we face. So I just moved to a town one town over from my hometown. It is a very conservative town. There is enough room at the 7 churches to hold the whole town. My neighbors are really nice people. They are both educated teachers and in my opinion quite intelligent.

Just the other day they seemed to make a point to tell us that they were atheists'. I must say I was surprised due to the type of people they were. They were good moral people who have adopted a child and been good parents. Their daughter is wonderful and is a good friend of my daughter. But I wonder, without a sense of god, where will this child go?

Will she wonder what her future is with no hope or knowledge of something greater. How can I help these people realize that there is more to life than human flesh and blood and we all will reap what we sow?

a reply to: usmc0311

Leave them alone.

Their life, their rules, their choices.

Forcing something on them is no help at all.

What's wrong with just leaving them alone?

They're good people. Ain't broke, don't fix it.

Atheists are just as religious as the Pope. Don't worry about it. Tell them to give you a call if they need help with anything. Be an example of a good person and inspire them to do the same.

Would say live and let live .. plenty of people in this world who dont follow organized religion and from experience along with observation they do just fine .. not to mention often have more compassion for others and better morals than many followers of organised religions ..

originally posted by: usmc0311
OK, so I am not a heavily religious man nor do I practice any particular religion but I do believe in spiritual life and a creator. I believe that it is no accident we are her now to face the lives we face. So I just moved to a town one town over from my hometown. It is a very conservative town. There is enough room at the 7 churches to hold the whole town. My neighbors are really nice people. They are both educated teachers and in my opinion quite intelligent.

Just the other day they seemed to make a point to tell us that they were atheists'. I must say I was surprised due to the type of people they were. They were good moral people who have adopted a child and been good parents. Their daughter is wonderful and is a good friend of my daughter. But I wonder, without a sense of god, where will this child go?

Will she wonder what her future is with no hope or knowledge of something greater. How can I help these people realize that there is more to life than human flesh and blood and we all will reap what we sow?

Seriously?

Many atheists are highly spiritual people and may even believe in an afterlife. They also have morals and don't feel the need to be threatened with hell to have them, or to act in a good way towards other people.

You can 'help' them by leaving your religion and ideas at home. They just don't believe there is such a thing as a god, or are okay with the idea of not knowing if there is one or not. Not everyone needs to fill that seeming creation explanation void that religionists have with a fantasy, delusion, very old book written by someone that had no knowledge unique to the time frame it was penned in, or fairy tale.

You seem ... naive. Maybe go over to Reddit and read in the atheist sub-reddit for a while so you can understand other points of view, and the distaste that atheists have for proselytizers.

Why are you so surprised? Nothing against your religion, but, people can think on there own. Leave them alone when it comes to religion. I'm an atheist myself and hate it when people try to push religion on me and say I'll pray for you. Do something useful, no offense. Let them be and just be there friend.

a reply to: usmc0311

Will she wonder what her future is with no hope or knowledge of something greater. - See more at: www.abovetopsecret.com...

What could be greater than the adventure in front of her?

Why were you surprised that they were good people just because they were atheists?

I consider myself a Christian but I don't think you have to be one to be a good person. I may disagree with them on their afterlife opinions and so forth, but that doesn't mean that they can't be morally upright, good folks.

They know about God (or a creator... In your words), nobody in America gets to that age and isn't aware of the basic principles of Christianity so I would let them be. If there comes a time they ask... Spread whatever message you feel you must, but don't badger them just for that. I assure you, they know.

Just enjoy them being good people.

JMHO of course.

originally posted by: usmc0311
How can I help these people

What makes you think that they need "help"?

reply to: usmc0311



They sound like delightful neighbors. You could have done much worse than caring people.

Leave them to their own beliefs. How would you like it if for instance, you were to tell them you were a vegan...no meat, and didn't like anyone who ate meat, and they kept bringing you meat and telling how a meat diet is healthier for you and your kids.

Be happy you are blessed with decent neighbors who don't stick their nose in your business,

Des

Speak to them, be open to their ideas. Maybe they can help you break the chains of preprogrammed obedience to authorities (church).

a reply to: usmc0311



This is going to be harsh but honest.Fact of the matter is you need help. Faith is something that comes from the inside out not the other way around. And I have found people who are trying to push faith are actually lacking it. That is why it becomes so important for them to convert others. It is fear based and in my mind evil.



The people of true faith I have found over the years have no need to convert anyone. I will say it one more time faith comes from the inside.

There you go you see... the proof that not all of us atheists are debauched and twisted as many believers have been brainwashed into thinking...

I suggest that you just get on with your own life and try not to push them into something that they don't need.

Maybe the reason why they underlined the fact that they are atheists is a polite way of saying "please don't meddle with our way of living, we are very happy the way we are"

Could you please explain to us why you are surprised?

Kindest respects

Rodinus

There is nothing wrong with them, just leave them alone. I am so sad that this
is the response we get from religious types... I have had religious people who knew
me very well, knew that i was a decent human being who would help anyone
out that i could, refer to me as disturbed just because they found out i was
non religious......

How does believing in a fantasy make anyone more mentally stable? or any more
of a decent person? I actually feel much more paranoid and suspicious of religious
people with an agenda than non religious people who just want to do good for
the sake of doing good and not winning some prize or avoiding punishment.

a reply to: usmc0311
It's like when I read an Ayn Rand novel...while being a devout Christian...
I thought - Wow! That's a pretty sound read... Though, with my world view, it seems hopeless.
But, years later, after abandoning said "Christian" beliefs...I found it rather...hopeful.

If you want to convince them of some religious paradigm - Sell all your goods, and give it to the poor...then, come back and let us know how you're doing.

Otherwise - unless you see some unbelievably anti-moral babblings coming from your child - blamed on the 'atheists' child, I would consider it a blessing/opportunity to expand my world-view.

originally posted by: Rodinus
There you go you see... the proof that not all of us atheists are debauched and twisted as many believers have been brainwashed into thinking...

I suggest that you just get on with your own life and try not to push them into something that they don't need.

Could you please explain to us why you are surprised?

Kindest respects

Rodinus

The foundation of many religions is bringing in new followers. My faith tells me this is evil and not what god wanted at all. True faith comes from internal forces not external. Missionaries are doing evil work in my mind as they try and push and sell faith.



Fear........Fear of your own faith is what drives others out to convert........FEAR.

I think this is a joke people. This is one of those sarcastic posts meant to make a point. While I am not sure what the point is on this one, I am sure the OP has an ulterior motive for posting this.

a reply to: usmc0311
How can one fix what is not broken??
Why do people try to fix what is not broken?
Just because you don't understand does not mean they don't.