I have a lot of friends who are either athiest or are having doubts about their faith. I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice on how to guide my friends and to help remove any doubts they may have about the Christian faith and the Catholic Church itself. I would like to go ahead and thank all of you who reply to this request for advice.

Sincerely

Thaddeus

-- Thaddeus (Thad_33@prodigy.net), October 14, 2003

Answers

Shalom Thaddeus,

You wrote:

>>> I have a lot of friends who are either atheist or are having doubts about their faith. I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice on how to guide my friends and to help remove any doubts they may have about the Christian faith and the Catholic Church itself. I would like to go ahead and thank all of you who reply to this request for advice. >>>

We faced similar situations and we have learned that the greatest tool for us in helping others was the lessons Yeshua (Jesus) taught us in the Beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount. For example, these lessons teach that it is when we become pure of heart we can reach out and bring others to Christ. This is because those who are pure of heart "see G-d" and they cannot come away from such an intimate union without being changed deeply. This purity brings forth fruit you are hungering to give. This is true of your Catholic walk as well, once you understand deeply why you are Catholic and what makes our Church so precious you will be able to help others see this as well. And this is also the fruit of that blessing of a hunger and thirst for righteousness, which Yeshua promises ahead of time He will satisfy you. And this spiritual hunger and thirst to know your G-d and to see His face in His Word, His Church and His Sacraments will create in you that clean heart that will help you reach your friends. You can find out more on how we came to these conclusions at:

http://www.angelfire.com/ny/Yeshuaslight/sermon.html

Shalom, C & C

-- C.Foegen (cfoegen@angelfire.com), October 15, 2003.

The best way. Be an example. You can learn and argue all you want. But people don't convert because of an arguement. People convert because they see God in you. They will come to you when they are ready. But they won't come if they see hypocrasy.

-- Scott (papasquat10@hotmail.com), October 15, 2003.

Every person is unique !!

Salut & Cheers from a NON BELIEVER:

-- Laurent LUG (.@...), October 15, 2003.

I agree completely with the notion of living the faith. But don't be afraid to throw the great arguments at them, like Pascal's Wager, or the numerous arguments of St. Thomas Aquinas as well as St. Anselm's Ontological Argument. Use St. Augustine, to connect the notions of faith and reason. There is a great Phlosophical tradition to the Church, use it!

-- VQ (vquite@po-box.mcgill.ca), November 03, 2003.

Well to answer your question, i dont feel that you should judge your friends for being athiest or having doubts. and you shouldnt judge yourself on what you believe either. because either way, there is nothing that shows what you believe is wrong or what your friends believe is wrong because the question, "does god exhist" cannot be answered. there is always two arguments to one problem, this does not necessarily mean there is a right or a wrong. as far as i know, god to me, represents something that cannot be explained. i am not willing to put all my trust and dedicate my life to a book that could have all just been a big joke for all anyone knows. its just a tradition that has been passed down so we must accept it. to try and give you some advice, just worry about yourself buddy. its good you worry about your friends too but let them find their own way. everyone has their own path, but it is up to them to find it. and sometimes it will lead you to god and sometimes it wont. if that makes any sense to you

-- Kbtoys (Freeb829@hotmail.com), November 24, 2003.

Jesus told us how faith is obtained. When he asked Peter “who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God”. Jesus then said, “Blessed are you Simon Bar Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in Heaven.” (Mt. 16:15-17) From this short passage in scripture we learn that faith is not something we can acquire on our own through science or mathematical calculations to prove God exists; it cannot be acquired from someone else. Jesus tells us here that faith is given to all men by God, Himself. You can’t get faith from a friend or relative. Faith is a leap, a deep conviction within the heart and mind and soul about who Jesus Christ really was/is, and what He wants for all of us.

Individuals can however, be inspired by those around them into praying for this gift from God. This is done as Scott has said, by the example set by others. We should live our lives as good Christians and in doing so, hopefully those around us will be encouraged to seek out the fulfilling and rewarding life they see in us. Again, Jesus told us how we might accomplish this. He told us to live by the Commandments. The Commandments are all about love - love of God and love of fellow man. Jesus told us what was most important in life: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mk. 12:30-31)

-- Ed (catholic4444@yahoo.ca), November 24, 2003.

Great question Thaddeus, welcome. I havent got any time to post properly but I HAVE to post as I got into an discussion with an agnostic lady today, she "owned herself" not God as far as she was concerned... "Why do have I have to give myself up to God", "Why does God need to take all the credit"..."I dont steal I dont kill, I dont lie, I help people, Im kind, loving etc etc I just dont believe in God..." "I have made the right choices based on my rational mind guided by the best reasons etc etc" "The ten commandments is just a basic code of rational universal laws needed to prevent anarchy , common in all cultures and religions etc etc"

Its very patronising to say to her she just doesnt realise Gods influence, how do you approach people who basically are living Saints in how they live their lives but dont believe in God?

Is it as simple as getting her to examine her heart more deeply to examine WHY she feels compelled to do "good and selfless" things when any strictly rational person would not? Froma philosophical point of view I dont buy into the argument that without Gods laws there would be no system of morality, Ive seen systems presented by moral philosophers anyway thats another discussion... Id be intrested in how people apporach this ssue intheir own lives when the issue of God comes up.... remebering your average agnostic turns tone deaf and reaches for the sick bag as soon as you start to say "the Bible tells me so...." Gotta go

Peace!

-- Kiwi (csisherwood@hotmail.com), November 24, 2003.

Kiwi, your friend seems to be suffering from the “me-me-me” syndrome. She seems to be committing the worst sin of all - the sin of pride. She doesn’t need anyone in her life. Her life is perfect just the way it is. (I hope I don’t sound like I’m judging here - this observation is only offered for purposes of this discussion.)

Kiwi, if your friend believes in God, then she fully acknowledges she was created by Him. It then becomes for her, not a question of “how can I enjoy and lap up all this world that God has given me?” but rather, “who is this Being that has created me and what does He want of me? Why has He created me?” In her own self- absorption, your friend has failed to ask the most fundamental question of all - “what is the meaning and/or purpose of life?”

Once an individual realises we are not “free” to do as we wish, that we “owe” our existence to someone else, then we can begin exploring the true meaning and purpose of life - why has God created us, and how do we go about establishing an ever-lasting positive/loving relationship with Him. Then and only then does all the rest of it fall into place and make sense.

-- Ed (catholic4444@yahoo.ca), November 24, 2003.

Sorry Kiwi, in my last post, I should have added:

If your friend doesn't believe in God then she will be most and best- influenced by example as outlined in my earlier post.

-- Ed (catholic444@yahoo.ca), November 24, 2003.

Well to answer your question, i dont feel that you should judge your friends for being athiest or having doubts. and you shouldnt judge yourself on what you believe either. because either way, there is nothing that shows what you believe is wrong or what your friends believe is wrong

I agree , you can't force people !!

I do have friends & family who are atheist , catholic , protestant , nihilist , muslim , so .... !!

Thaddeus , and what if they were muslims ??

Salut & Cheers from a NON BELIEVER:

-- Laurent LUG (.@...), November 24, 2003.