Here's the thing. They weren't always. In fact, in the beginning, none of them were. I remember, probably 4 or 5 years ago in social studies our class split off into groups based on our religion as an experiment of some sort. If I recall, almost everyone was Christian. So now I wonder what went wrong and when so many of them changed. It's been at least two or three years that my best friend has been an atheist and I think my sister and her boyfriend are too. Last night we were arguing about something and I mentioned that this thing happened in the bible and she said: "Guess what else is in the bible? God! And he's not real!" To make matters worse I think she thought that she stumped me because I didn't reply but in truth it was because I was shocked. So now she's gone upstairs and I feel guilty for not defending my beliefs. And of course, I'm afraid she thinks I too am an atheist. I feel like my life has become a mess over the past few years. Right now I feel like I'm morally obligated to just go right up and tell her I'm Christian but I'm afraid to which makes me feel even worse...I know the only thing I can do is pray an have faith that everything will get better but I just need a place to let it out...Thanks for listening...

Oracle, I feel your pain.

While none of my family are strict atheists (that I'm aware of), none of them are Christians either.  They're belief of morality and religion and salvation can be summed up by something akin to "Hey, God is in heaven and if you are a mean person who sins, you will go to hell.  If you are a good person you will go to heaven."

This is it.

I feel your pain.

It's hard.... so excruciatingly hard to watch the ones you love and know that they are doomed for hell.  Granted, God wishes that none should perish, and we should have the same desire.  However, it's a harder fact to face when you know that once you die, you will never see your family again, because they will perish.

Might I offer some unwarranted advice?

Be a beacon.  Tell your sister, and your loved ones, that you have a saving relationship with Christ. Don't be so forward that you push them away, but let them know.  Be a witness through the way that you handle every day life, handle your interactions with them, and handle stress.  Always credit God for the good things in your life.  When people ask why you are happy, tell them it is because God has blessed you.  Read your bible daily and leave it out in case anyone sees it and develops a curiosity.

Oracle, when it comes down to the end, will you be able to tell God that you did all you could?  Will He be pleased in the way you weighed your relationship with Him against the relationship of others?  Do you, now, value man's opinion more, or God's?

It's a tough world.  The people in it are falling into more and more evil desires.  People are lacking more and more faith.  And acceptance for those of faith decreases daily.  It's difficult to tell your friends or loved ones that you are saved.  You might even face ridicule and/or harassment.  But in the end, if even one soul is saved, wouldn't the pain be worth it?  In heaven, we will be given new bodies with no pain or ache. Our hearts will be relieved of their burdens.

Although your family does not have a relationship with Christ, by worrying too much on their thoughts, you are decreasing their chances of being blessed in the way that you are.  Who knows if even telling your loved ones about your relationship with Christ might be their saving grace.  Here's the thing: we can't know God's intentions.  You never..... NEVER know what seed you might plant.  As I'm writing this, my throat is actually constricting in pain because I know -exactly- how you feel.

Oracle, even if you tell your family, you might not ever see the effect.  Even if, day by day, you are a witness... you might never see them relinquish their lives to Christ.

Don't be discouraged.

There were so many things people said to me.... did for me... People God put into my life for seemingly little purpose.  But if it had not been for each tiny act, each single word.... I would not have the saving relationship I now hold dear.  It moves me to tears, to think that God knew my mind.  He -knew-, three years ago, that a random person telling me to have a "blessed day", or the one verse I'd see on a poster would lead me here. God's plan is so much bigger than we are aware.  Every little thing that I was not aware of made a difference.

But those people that made the difference?  The ones that led me to where I am now?  They have no idea.  I have not seen them for years.  They went on with their lives, unaware that God placed them there for my sake.

So you may not see the fruits of your labor.  Buy why stand back in fear and -allow- that chance for you loved ones to be doomed?  I beg of you, remain steadfast.

If you ever need to talk about this more privately, feel free to pm me.  It's something very personal to me as well, and so I understand.  In fact, the verse you see at the end of my layout, has a huge... huge part to do with this.  It is more precious to me than anything.  Words cannot convey what that verse means to me and why, but it has almost everything to do with this topic.

Thanks for the great post Singelli. Thankfully I'm certain that most of my family believes in God, it's mostly my unrelated friends that don't. I think you're right. Maybe I should show my faith more. See I got a cross on my grad ring and my sister couldn't understand why. I think the biggest problem is that there are a lot of situations where I could have easily shown my faith to my friends but I didn't. From now on, hopefully I'll let my faith shine a little more. I didn't even come here looking for advice but I got it anyway. Bless you.

Although I don't know all the dynamics of your situation I can offer a small bit of advice or at least something for you to ponder.

If you feel that being openly Christian with your sister will compromise your relationship than I suggest you limit your references to God and the Bible when conversing with her. Who cares if she thinks you are an atheist or theist if you can maintain a healthy relationship with her. I am an atheist so I could be wrong but I am fairly certain that in your religion it is only God's opinion of you that matters ... so there is nothing stopping you from having a good relationship with both God and your sister. I would like to think that if there is a God he would rather you have a good relationship with your family even if it meant mentioning him less frequently.

As I said at the start I don't know everything about your situation. For all I know this could be the first time you mentioned the Bible to your sister in years. It's not entirely uncommon for families to be divided because of opposing belief systems (particularly in America) and it would be unfortunate if your life was affected this way.

I agree with smotpoker86.^^
I agree you do limit your references about God and the Bible to her since she doesn't believe in that. Instead you could subtly suggest that you all go to church one day or bible study. Maybe she will start to believe in God again after she attends. Don't force her to do anything she doesn't want and don't say things like she is doomed to hell because you could make her upset.
One time, there was this guy and he wanted to date me but he wanted me to be closer to God and he wanted to 'save' me. I didn't like him and that was probably a reason why. He knew I didn't believe in God but still when we would text he would say things like " Today was just such a great day! God bless me." Or "God loves everyone and I am so happy for everything he has given me. If only you could see how much he loves you and wants you to go to heaven too..." That would always tick me off because I didn't know how to reply without sounding mean and I didn't want to lead him on thinking that I believed in God. When I told him I was a Pagan he got all angry with me and insulted me by calling me mean things. Saying things like I was doomed to hell and that I worshiped the Devil. The thing is, when I accepted the Pagan life I knew that I was taking God out of my heart and replacing him with other beliefs and if I were to somehow to go 'hell', well, I accepted that too. Many atheist accept that too... mainly because they dont believe in hell. BUT ANYWAYS.... Just be careful when you speak to her about God and your beliefs. Good luck.

play4fun :  Thank you for a sensible response, as always.    You always express what I'm trying to say in a much more skilled way than I ever do.  

I don't see a reason for you to make a point of informing her your christian, equally i wouldn't say deny it either, if it comes up, mention it, otherwise don't.
It gets annoying for people who don't believe in it to have someone harping on about it all the time.
The bible is pretty clear that god is your judge, not your family, and you shouldn't feel required to convert the world, nor should you feel pressured to lie about it either.

I was wrong when I said " I would like to think that if there is a God he would rather you have a good relationship with your family even if it meant mentioning him less frequently." After reading the quotes Singeli mentioned I discovered the following passage as it is found in the same chapter as the last passage she mentioned.

Matthew 10:32-36
“Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.
Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.
For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household."


It obviously is Jesus' intention that you and your sister don't see eye to eye and may become "enemies" , don't worry thought he is only doing it because he loves you.

As an atheist (Who has also dabbled into Atheistic Satanism), I'll just say this:

The one thing you do NOT want to do is try to convert them. That would be your biggest mistake. Do not try to force your religious beliefs upon them either, being that one shouldn't have to follow the rules of another person's life.

If you get offended by the fact that they bash your beliefs, then just simply tell them that you are still a Christian. Hopefully they'll understand and at least tone it down. However, only do this the next time they do bash it, rather than at a random moment, Nya~.

However, I can tell you for a fact that trying to preach your beliefs on them will only make them pretty much turn you into an outcast and drop all connections to you.

In all seriousness, also, you should really heed my advice before others (With the exception of other atheists here), being that you're trying to deal with atheists, rather than other Christians. The fact they were Christians at one point doesn't matter anymore, that time has come and gone. You just need to deal with the fact they won't believe in your beliefs anymore, Nya~.

Can you get past the part where they have different beliefs than you?  Do your family members have to be Christian to be friends?  

I'd figure you can accept them for who they are and don't try to convert them.  I'm a Catholic and I don't care for other Catholics telling me about their experience and belief in God.  For me, it's very personal and unnecessary to discuss with others.  

I think you should look at what everyone else says, decide for yourself what kind of relationship you can have with people who aren't Christian, and enjoy that relationship.  If it is a deal-breaker and you can't bring yourself to talk to them, then you should probably examine yourself, pray for guidance, and find the strength to forgive them on a regular basis.  Stay strong in your beliefs and allow them to have theirs.

Good luck!

Ok, I see the usage of the following verses being misinterpreted for the sole purpose of attacking the image of Christianity:

"
Matthew 10
32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
"

However, you are not reading the full passage which continues on:

"
37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
40 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.
42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
"


Let's put it this way.  If I were to give the house rules and you only quoted me saying, "If you eat brownies you will be severely punished" you would be in essence lying about my rules because you would be giving the impression that I am punishing people for eating brownies when in fact my rules actually were about eating brownies right before dinner.  Omission of a complete thought is a lie when it conveys an inaccurate representation of the true full statement.

This is what has happened above.  In the verses that the anti-Christian post omitted it is made clear what Christ is saying.  Christ did not come to earth so that we could continue in sin but that we could live in righteousness.  Those who are unrighteous can not understand this.  Take for example MegaRevolution who on the one hand says it is wrong to convert atheists to Christians but in doing so is trying to convert Christians away from our own religion (which requires that we spread the gospel to all non-Christians as part of our Christian faith).  In essence, in his/her own post he contradicts his own anti-conversion policy.  Anytime you tell someone what you believe you are in fact making an attempt to convert them to your view even if it is just one sentence.

Why are we brought against our own families?  Because through conversion we choose a completely different set of moral standards by which to live than that which the world abides by.  Our own reasoning and logic for those moral standards is different than the foundation the world uses for theirs.  In so doing, the world chooses to make us their enemies and so we are left with a choice.  Peace (which requires denouncing our Christian duty to spread the gospel) or war (which is simply us spreading the gospel of the Lord in the most loving way possible and leaving it to them to decide the path they will take for they ultimately will answer for it before God).  Hence, Christ has not made us enemies with the world but the world in rejecting Him and through their blind hate for all that concerns Him has chosen war with us.  And therefore, we are at war ... spiritual war ... with all those who would seek to hinder His gospel and the evil spirits which propel them to do so.

Verse 37 is clear, it is not wrong to love your family...therefore, they in the physical sense are not your enemies.  In fact, we are commanded to love all, even those who hate us.  It is wrong to love others more than God.  We do not war with flesh and blood but with spirits and principalities in the supernatural realm.  Verse 42 reminds us of our obligation to help those around us.  Biblically we are commanded to help those around us, even our enemies, when we have the ability to do so.  Even those who hate us, beat us, and do all manner of evil against us.  It is the world that has chosen war against God...not us who chose to war with the world.

jasonkelli : Uh, no. They aren't considering leaving Christianity, they're already Atheists, so at this point, I'm saying it's best to leave them be with their belief.
If they were considering switching, then I'd say to let them make their own decisions, since they are the only ones who can say what they believe in, Nya~.

And him telling them what he believes in isn't trying to convert them, it's just making them aware so they realize he's being hurt by their statements.

and since you seemed to have a bit of confusion, Blue/Green names = Male, while Pink/Purple-ish names = Female.

uh...the color of a person's on this website does not determine what gender a person is, only what gender they claim to be.  Since you seem to be confused...this is the internet and until I've met you in person to know what gender you were born as I have no idea of knowing how honest or dishonest you were during account creation.  

Your first paragraph shows you didn't understand my post at all.  My point is that trying to convince him not to spread the Gospel is converting him toward your ideology of "non-conversion" and by doing so you are contradicting your own ideology.  You cannot speak against conversion and in the same breath try to convince someone it is wrong to convert others towards your beliefs because you are in fact converting while preaching against converting and I do believe that is a prime example for the definition of the word hypocrisy.

jasonkelli : Well, guess you're right, I don't understand at all :V So, uh, sorry?... (Idon'tevenknowatthispointasdafas)

No worries about gender stuff, everyone here is honest and everything about it, being there's no reason to lie on here about ones gender, Nya~.

jasonkelli :
Stating that you are religious/not isnt trying to convert any more than me stating "i like chicken" is an attemp to make others like it.
Saying dont preach isnt converting. If someone is willing to listen thats fine and good but you have no buissiness forcing your views on people.
If you constantly had to listen to atheists following you around trying to convert you you'd soon realise how annoying it is.
That is not hypocritical, i would state the same if it was reversed, ie:
Youre family are all christian, so what, theyre happy. Leave them to it. You dont need to make everyone agree with you.

If god is real, and all powerfull, dont flatter yourself that he needs you to act for him.
If he wants something to happen it would happen.

Firstly,  as a conservative Christian I do have to spend my life listening to the anti-Christian liberal media/music industry/hollywood constantly putting their anti-Christian, anti-God, anti-Conservative propaganda in music, movies, cartoons, newspapers, television series, etcetera day in and day out.  It's annoying, but its called a free country.  Only in places like Nazi Germany do people not have the right to speak their beliefs.

Telling someone what you believe (no matter how often you do it) is not forcing your views on them.  Tying them down in a chair and holding a gun to their head is.  There is a vast difference.

As for your last statement: "If God is real, and all powerful, don't flatter yourself that He needs you to act for Him."  I would respond with this.  Don't degrade yourself by believing that He doesn't want you to be involved in His plans.  The Bible makes it clear that God did not create robots or machines.  He created human beings and gave us free will because He loved us too much to impose Himself on us.  We have the freedom to choose heaven or hell but He loves us too much not to warn us about hell and daily seek to save us from it.  In the end, it is your choice where you end up and He loves you too much to transform you into some slave that has no free will to determine where you will end up.

There is only one way into heaven, and He will never stop telling you of it because He loves you.  He also expects His children to never stop telling you of it because He commands us to love one another.  It's like claiming that warning someone that the building they are in is on fire over and over is annoying and forcing your views on them.  At the end of the day, that person has to decide whether or not they will leave their home and when the flames come up around them they won't find the warnings annoying.  They will, however, wish they had listened.  The same holds true here.  When you stand before God, if you have not chosen to follow after Him...these annoying warnings won't seem so annoying anymore.  You'll wish you had more of them.  You'll wish you had shown the wisdom to listen.

In this great country of ours, everyone has the freedom to state their beliefs as much as they want to.  There was a nation where that wasn't true.  Fortunately for the world we overthrew its vile leader and rescued the world from Hitler's vision of a Third Reich.  No one is holding a gun to your head.  If you find Christians talking about God annoying, it is your choice whether or not to enter a forum area devoted to talk about God or not.  No one here put a gun to your head and made you read the forum.  You chose to come here.  Whether sincerely to learn about God, out of hatred toward God looking to attack Him at every turn, or for the immature purpose of trolling doesn't matter.  You are here of your own free will and regardless of how sincere or insincere you are every post you read is an outreach by God trying to save you from the path you are walking so that you may be His child and dwell with Him eternally.  When you stand before Him you will have no excuse.

I hope you will take His hand and His words to heart, but it is a choice you have to make.  No one will force you by gun point. God won't force your hand.  He loves you too much for that.

jasonkelli :  I love this.  It makes me think of what I was reading earlier, and since it fits, I'd like to quote it.