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How to INVITE THE ATHEISTS?
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[quote]STARTING WITH A CLEAN SLATE… Here are a few guidelines for our Brothers and Sisters who wish to summon (to do Daw'ah) someone that happens to be an Atheist or is a likely candidate. Literally speaking, Atheism means the repudiation or renunciation of Theism. The term itself denotes it nature, which is to deny and reject. Theism means having belief in the existence of Theo (a god). In other words, a true Atheist is he (or, she) who has investigated Theism and has established well founded reasons, for its outright denial and dismissal. Many of these Atheists also claim that they are open-minded self-seekers of “The Real Truth”. To be a self-seeker often means to push out all the so-called “Inherited Truths”, and start a fresh with the clean slate. Anyone who has experienced convincing a child who is in the habit of repeating over and again the question “Why?” knows how desperate and frustrating the situation gets when there is no end in the sight to this one word question. The act of convincing a child, less than one-third or one-fourth our age, which began with a simple fun, puts you in a tight spot. It seems that this young fellow is testing your knowledge as well as the limitations of your endurance and patience. Before one begins the dialogue (not a debate), one has to remember that it is perfectly normal for an Atheist who is starting with a clean slate, to ask challenging questions and then keep on repeating his demands for more proofs that are “indisputable”. To you, your every response may sound “a valid incontrovertible proof” but he may be looking far ahead of you, which may be beyond your imagination. It is better to have such expectations, at the initial stages. This will give you the courage and fortitude needed to continue meaningful dialogues, in cordial atmosphere without getting frustrated. If the questions posed are sincere and serious enough to acquire knowledge and the arguments are not for the sake of arguing or to put you down, please have faith in Him who has given you the Guidance and the faculty of speaking. Holding a primary diagnostic talk to establish the ultimate objective of the other party is highly recommended. One cannot satisfy an inquisitive child whose motive is not to acquire knowledge but to try your patience. Surah An-Nahl (16) : 125 Invite (all) to the way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for thy Lord knoweth best who have strayed from His Path and who receive guidance. DETERMINING THE DISORDER… The success of any medial surgery depends upon the correct diagnostic evaluation of the disease through various blood tests, x-rays, electronic scans, etc. Before a nurse drives the patient into the operating theater, the Surgeon-in-charge goes through the past history of the patient and carefully examines all the test results. To have a meaningful theological dialogue, the similar technique is a prerequisite. There is no single “cure all pill” that can be prescribed by a doctor to all his patients. There is no set formula that would convince each and every Atheist. Examine the history of the person you are trying to convince before you enter into the arena. Here are a few categories of those who claim to be Atheists: 1. REPUDIATOR OF AN INDOCTRINATED BELIEF: A person is indoctrinated into a particular faith. He follows it diligently with total dedication without doing the independent research. He has a change of heart and doubt creeps in. Starts rejecting whatever was taught. Instead of looking around and examining other beliefs with sounder footings he shuts the door. 2. SELF EMANCIPATED BY CHOICE: A person that has chosen for him an absolute freedom from what he calls the “Religious Fetters" or the "Sacred Crutches”. And, he believes that the preference for such a lifestyle gives him an easy access and the latitude to enjoy anything and everything, without looking ahead or backward. He is therefore detached and unresponsive to anything and everything that has to do with God or Religion. 3. JUDICIAL OUTLOOK: A person thinks he is matured and qualified enough to analyze and judge what is happening around him that should not happen. In his personal assessment he finds the acts of "Mother Nature" or of God to be fundamentally unjust or grossly unethical. He has given out his “qualified” verdict that God is either dead or has miserably failed in his obligations to mankind. 4. HAS NO BELIEFS: A person claims he has seen no tangible proof for the existence of God and therefore he denies the existence of a Creative Force or God. He may not be aware that such a denial also needs proof. The question is does he have the tangible proof for the non-existence of God? One does not have a tangible proof for the existence of "life" on other planet(s), but that does not prove there is none. People at one time believed, what was "observable" by man was the Universe. Today, the same old Universe is known to be far beyond the human observation. CREATING AN AFFIRMATIVE MOOD… To have a “positive” dialogue with any individual it is highly suggested to pose questions that are so worded that they would for sure or most likely, generate responses in the affirmative mode. Since, “Are you going to live for ever?” is going to get the answer “No”, please rephrase it; “Are we all going to die?” or “Do you believe, the death is a certainty?” Similarly, instead of “Do you believe in God?” please try asking; “Do you really think there is no God?” “Well, you must have reasons for that…. Would you like to share them with me?” If he opens up… try to be a good listener and keep on making notes. When he has finished pouring out of his logical rationale or vented his locked-in steam, you have a variety of his “pet topics” in your pocket. If he enjoys talking, the best thing is to be a good listener. It is not easy to find an attentive listener, especially if the subject is “your pet topic”. Once you have gained his confidence as a good listener and a cool friend worth continuing the dialogue your mission has started with the positive footing. If you tell a very good story to a child who is always asking “Why?”, and if he really enjoys it, you will notice that his next “Why?” is not to upset you but to learn from you. A PENSIVE & LOGICALLY CONVINCING SCENARIO... There are two neighbors. One is a Believer another is an Atheist. The hundred percent certainty is that they both will eventually die. The uncertainty is as to what could happen after the death. Neither the Believer nor the Atheist has the tangible and perceptible evidence to claim with hundred percent certainty that he knows for sure what is going to happen, after the death. So, the next best thing to do for this uncertain couple is to examine all the possible and plausible options and then evaluate the probable results. Scenario Number One: The possibility; There is nothing after the death. Our life upon this world is the beginning and the ultimate end. Result: Under this Scenario both have nothing to gain or loose, after the death. Scenario Number Two: The possibility; There is some one called the Divine Supreme Entity. In that case there is a possibility for accountability, after the death. Result: Under this Scenario the Believer has a better advantage while the Atheist has much to regret, after his death. The Bottom Line: The Atheist has a possibility of being at a disadvantage at the hereafter, if there is One. The Believer has no such disadvantage and as such no apprehension. He is thus more relaxed and at ease in life. http://www.mostmerciful.com/atheist.htm[/quote]
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