I'm reading everyone's teaching and experience of atheism and would like to add a twist of this topic in my early witness to the disbelievers of God.
One time in the late 80s I was witnessing to a man and he didn't believe in Jesus Christ but said Jesus was a good man. I took offense at that and rebuked him and raised my voice contentiously. Supposedly, I was defending my Lord and Savior.
Another time in the mid 90s a man I was sharing Christ with told me I was getting too emotional and quoting Scriptures. He finally exploded and told me to F OFF!
Back in the 80s and mid 90s as I was doing street and community witnessing, (wherever the Lord led me,) those of you who were at one time an atheist, in my heart you were losers in my eyes. I was an arrogant hypocrite because as a Christian I had my own sins.
Like MM I too was too much of a fighter. Problem is, I didn't exercise the Armor of God, but relied on my anger and arrogance because I felt like I was talking over these people, especially the ones who were atheists.
There were lessons that I didn't pay attention to. In my late 30s I finally shut up and listened to a former pastor who witnessed my attitude and helped me understand why so many people didn't believe in God for so, so many variety of reasons.
MM made a point regarding aimlessness and hopelessness. Most atheists whose backs are up against the wall (challenges of life) would cry out loud in secret to whom they don't know and out of desperation rely on themselves.
As alxb0521 shared, atheists can give an array of bad vibes so we should not underestimate the damage atheism can bring to the world and our self. We're not messing around here, the battle is serious stuff!
Siloam shared something that hit home for all of us. We all have our enslavement to sin, but "the deeper, more fundamental and more eternal issue is the relationship with Christ."
What I am saying is before we cross paths with atheists, other false religions, etc..we will go through growing pains and at some point we will be equipped for Christ's glory.
God bless you all.
Bob, what I've learned to do more than talking is listen to them when face to face. They tell their story when facing someone willing to listen. That's how I learn about where they are in life and what brand of atheism they embrace.
Thanks for sharing, bro. Much appreciated.
MM