Question for my fellow Christians Why should we be "nice" and "polite" to atheists when they mock and deride and disrespect us all day long?

I can't believe a Christian asked this question. Was it really posted by an atheist troll?

Jesus never, to my knowledge, expressed any anger or rage toward unbelievers, as we would think of them. The Roman centurion whose servant he healed, the Syro-Phoenician woman, and the Samaritan at the Well were probably the most "apostate" of all the people he dealt with. Worse than atheists, they were idolaters. No, Jesus saved his harshest criticism for the deeply religious of his time: the Pharisees, who mirror modern evangelicals in very scary ways. They were truly the most conservative people of their time, yet Jesus excoriated them.

In our conversations with unbelievers, we should never fail to be the ones to take the high road. As Paul admonished us: "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." Colossians 4:6; "Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen." Ephesians 4:29; "But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to articulate a defense to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But respond with gentleness and respect..." 1 Peter 3:15

Why should we follow the ways of the world? When did you abandon our Lord's teachings?

"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you...

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also...

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (all from Matthew 5)

I strongly abjure what you are doing and beg you to repent. You are preaching an unholy "Rambo"-Christianity, but that friendship with evil will destroy your faith. You are recommending that Christians act like the devil, like those people who have rejected them. You act like Torquemada and other torturers of the faithful and unbeliever alike.

"You think you're going to win them over with civility?" My God, man, you think you're going to win them over with spite? Hatred? Filthy language? Their tactics? I've had even atheists approach me more kindly than you are suggesting.

No. What you are suggesting is nearly blasphemy. I'd study the lives of the early saints, beginning with Jesus, and see how they handled the unbelievers among them. It WAS by being nice, polite, and civil. They even allowed themselves to be beaten, starved, beheaded, and crucified. THAT'S why the gospel spread. Unbelievers saw a DIFFERENCE in Christians which you are proposing to erase! You wouldn't have lasted a day in the early church.

The Bible foretells about all the mocking of Jesus and Christians to come in the latter days, The atheists who are doing this mocking are FULLFILLING PROPHESY, THANK THEM FOR THAT, as the END IS NEAR. We are being warned by this mocking. They are helping God to become more real to us by all the prophesy coming true. if no God existed, there would be no mocking.

Jesus said to turn the cheek. If Jesus can't reach their hearts nothing will.

I treat everybody the same whatever their belief. Mocking, derision, hate, whatever, i am who i am, and cannot be any different. Atheists are people too. MIxed up, lost people.

I guess we atheists go to the lions?

As a Christian, one must follow Bible council on conduct.

“Let a rotten word not come out of your mouth, but only what is good for building up.”—EPHESIANS 4:29.

Colossians 4:6

"Let your words always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should answer each person."

1 Peter 3:15

But sanctify the Christ as Lord in your hearts, always ready to make a defense before everyone who demands of you a reason for the hope you have, but doing so with a mild temper and deep respect.

No one told you to take abuse from them. You can and should walk away. If you go around attacking them though you are no better then them. In fact you are giving them exactly what they want.

Nice and polite! So-called Christians call me a who're, a slut, not fit to be a mother...one even accused me of eating babies! I make a real effort not to be rude about theists....

Atheist

I know I am not one to talk, but always remember the goal here is to reach the person

Yes you can shut them down hard.....but always with the mind either to reach the person or the others reading

It's our given task to spread the good news about Jesus. What they do with it is on them.