How do I break thru to an atheist who wants to find God/spirituality?
 

I have a friend who I met online. We've never met in person, but talk on the phone from time to time. We really connect and get each other on many levels and there is a comfort between us that makes talking about life rather easy.

The only thing that I can't seem to do is to break thru to him about God and spirituality.

The kicker is he has invested a good part of his life exploring various religions and whatnot, but he maintains that he is an atheist despite all of the research.

He is very intelligent and genuinely wants to find God, but he has these road blocks up.

He is so disillusioned with life and feels it is futile. This scares me.

How does one break thru to an atheist who believes we are just randomly born animals stuck on a prison planet and then we die and there is nothing beyond it?

I have suggested topics for him to explore, YouTube videos to watch, but he doesn't seem interested despite his deep yearning to find God.

Does anyone know how I can next approach him? Things to say?

I wouldn't ask this if I thought he was a lost cause, because he does put in the work to research. Although studying just religion itself won't get him too far in this case. I do think his knowledge of doctrines will be an asset down the line when he opens his mind to spirituality in general.

For me, it had to go beyond religious doctrine and exploring so many things outside of those texts that helped me get to the place that I am today with my own beliefs. But, what works for one person might not work for another.

He is fed up with life so badly that he contemplates suicide and I just don't want him to go down that road. He is too bright and really has so much potential in him. If he can find something he can hold onto, perhaps he can finally be free to live and enjoy his life.

Any insight is so appreciated. I want him to find hope, but I just don't know how to assist him in finding it. Perhaps ideas from everyone might help me to reach out to him on angles that I have not tried yet.

Thank you :hug3:

Perhaps it is you that needs to be broken through to. Your friend may be wondering why you can't see the 'truth' that "God/spirituality" is just a fantasy. This is an acceptance thing. Stop assuming you know better. Stop trying to change someone else.

After having my own NDE, I believe we are more than just a physical body.

This man deeply wants to find more, otherwise I would leave it alone. I see him struggling and hope to help him find the light.

I think it was rude for you to reply like that. Telling me I need to be broken thru to. That it is fantasy. My experience confirms with me and I have formed my beliefs. Nobody can tell me otherwise.

I'm not trying to push something down this mans throat, but I do see his hunger. It runs deep. I'm here seeing that hunger and hope I can somehow open his eyes a little bit so he can finally be at peace.

You made it out like that is a bad thing to want to help him. I have nothing but love and compassion for this pained soul. Suggesting I simply give up on him who reaches out to me is unfathomable to me.

An ld friend I see only every few years for a chat is now quite the confirmed atheist and I found it quite funny how strongly he believes in it. Zealous almost... but it doesn't matter, every one finds themselves when they are ood and ready... or they don't, their choice.

I'd have no issue with beliefs on God and the afterlife, but I would be concerned about suicidal thoughts.

I like listening to atheist vs religious debates, and Sam Harris is perhaps my favorite because he's also into meditation of the same traditions as I was trained in... but it seems to me that most atheism is in response to the ludicrous tenets of mainstream religions and the warfare and cruelty that is purported 'in God's name' in the scriptures, and also in more recent times.

This indicates that a persons finer sentiments and virtues don't depend upon their spiritual inclinations, so I'd be more inclined to the Dalai Lama's religion, kindness.

It's a wonderful conundrum and personally don't see anything wrong with both believing in God and not believing in God... at the same time!

I think it's silly to even imagine what God might be, it's so beyond us and while sciences valiant attempts at such (as in discovering the nature of it all) are quite laudable even that can be construed as silliness, just as I might be by others, because in the end it's really just a bunch of monkeys hanging out... so yes kindness first I believe too. So be kind to your friend Yumi, all the other stuff will find it's balance given time.

His eyes are open. Help him find peace in what he sees, not what you believe. There can be as much (or little) freedom in not believing in god as there can be in believing. Try to find the freedom in the world he sees, and show him the beauty of the path he is already on. God and Spirituality is not for everyone; in the end they are nothing more than made up concepts that tries to define certain experiences. Whether they are real or not, seems to be a matter of perception rather than truth :wink: Hope some of it helps...

Yes, I am very concerned with his suicidal thoughts. He seems to bring it up most conversations :(

I am suggesting, perhaps not clearly, that a different approach is needed. Doesn’t seem to me that ‘talk’ is going to get through at this point.
Perhaps a bit abrupt, sorry.
I did not say it is fantasy, I was suggesting that what you are telling him comes off as fantasy TO HIM.
And I would not try to convince you otherwise. Yet even though he perhaps wants it, you are trying to tell him otherwise (counter to his beliefs and experience). Doesn’t seem like an approach that is going to work.
He asked for help so I do not see providing it as ‘bad’ nor that you should give up on him. I did not suggest either.

If I were to approach this, I would try to get him to have an experience outside the tangible/physical. Since obviously he doesn’t have access on his own, someone (perhaps you or a guide) will have to give it to him. Some suggestions are a vision, inner silence, verified prophesy, joint OBE, joint dreaming, or feel energy. Of course this is not the same a experiencing the divine, but it might provide a stepping stone to ‘larger horizons’.