How to Talk to Atheists | LITTLE BY LITTLE w/ Fr Columba Jordan CFR

[@notabiologist7162]

I spent 50 years as a 100% Athiest…not angry, just no belief whatsoever. What changed me was 2 things. 1) I decided to pretend to be a believer because I decided Christians were nicer, happier people and I wanted to be one on them, even though I didn’t actually believe. I didn’t think of it as deception, but more like accepting the rules of a home owners association that I think are stupid because I want to live in a certain neighborhood and am willing to live by the hoa rules to do so. 2) When I was able to entertain the question whether it was possible, just possible, that millions of people were right and I was wrong about the existence of God…was there even a 1% chance they were right and I was wrong? These 2 things cracked open the door just enough that the Holy Spirit was able to do the rest. But honestly, for the first 50 years, there was nothing anyone could have said to me that would’ve made any difference whatsoever. I was too certain of my own intelligence.

[@ctmcatholic]

Thank you for sharing your story with us. A great example of how God is faithful and still pursues us no matter what. Praise God you were open to His pursuits, and welcome Home!

[@Liesl_Cigarboxguitar]

May I pray for you ? 🌹

[@notabiologist7162]

@@Liesl_Cigarboxguitar Sure!

[@rafaeloliva8328]

Love your humbleness and honesty brother welcome to the truth bless you.

[@Kitiwake]

Love it!😂

[@douglasdde376]

As a convert to the Catholic faith 51 years ago and as a convert compelled to test the faith at almost 72 and still struggling, thanks you Father for your encouragement and words of wisdom

[@ctmcatholic]

Praise God, Douglas. Bless you!

[@lynneivison5773]

How interesting. I had a friend who questioned every statement that I made, even simple ones and would check them on her iphone in front of me. In the end it just exhausted me. It was, I realise a lack of trust in herself, but obviously it felt that she had no trust in me. The friendship just tailed off. Yes it was a great sceptism. She is another Catholic who has left the faith and is attracted to all things related to Buddhism. I was just off to Mass Christmas morning, dressed in a thick coat and she said 'Do you believe in the Virginity of Mary?'.as she was scepticpal . I just replied 'I am obedient member of the Catholic church and believe all its teachings'. The timing of the question was inappropriate and hurtful as I had been so looking forward to Christmas Mass. I think a part of me believes that if I am really nice and kind this will somehow persuade ex Catholics back - but I need fuel for my faith, and now go and spend my week ends at a Monastery where the goodness (or God) floats in the air. I am filled with self doubt coming from a troubled childhood and I just feel I want to be near Christ and Christians, and that something is being sucked out of me when I spend time with aetheists or anti Catholics.

[@ctmcatholic]

So sorry to hear of this bad experience, @Iynne. There's definitely a time to "fuel our fire" and focus on our relationship with God, so that we can withstand the backlash that might come as a result of sharing our faith. We are called to be missionary apostles, to spread God's Word and love, but we can't go out on an empty tank - so take that time in prayer for you and God, and pray for the grace, strength, and courage to speak His truth to others. At the same time, as Father mentions in this video, if someone is completely uninterested in or just hostile about the faith it may be best to come back to them at a time when they would be more receptive, as just having endless arguments will likely do neither of you any good. It's an important question to constantly discern in any friendship like the one you mention!

[@Georgian1717]

Sometimes when someone leaves their faith, they are vulnerable to be influenced by demons or say things like what she asked. Buddhism is interesting but it leaves God out. She needs a sense of control in her life and something happened internally that hurt her faith. Just pray for her.

[@123rockfan]

I wish more religious people were like this guy

[@binggolitesbinggolites349]

Wow. The courtroom, the witnesses. Yes. Thank you so much Father!

[@ctmcatholic]

You’re very welcome.

[@sdboyd]

Not to inject pride into someone else’s life but this is a really good channel.

[@ctmcatholic]

Delighted you think so, thank you!

[@elias.knotman]

Fr., you are an inspiration. I listen to one of your talks every day or so. Slowly but surely... My sincerest thanks, God bless you.

[@ctmcatholic]

You are so welcome. God bless you.

[@recoveringknowitall1534]

Faith is more of a decision and a direction than a conclusion.

[@ctmcatholic]

Interesting, what do you mean by that?

[@recoveringknowitall1534]

@@ctmcatholic in my mind, conclusions are more a summation of the facts and evidence that we can gather and demonstrate to reach a reasonable Knowledge of something. Faith involves some of that, but ultimately we cannot Know many things about God or even if some of the things we Believe are actually True or not. We Believe because we have chosen to believe though we do not or cannot fully Know. We have Decided to believe and go in that direction of having Faith in God regardless. probably an imperfect definition and description of what I mean, but there it is. :) We Believe in God and have Faith in Him and His Love and Grace, though we don't or can't Know.

[@jamesmarie1083]

My God this is powerful! I am overcome with emotion. I really need to pause to absorb this message. Thank you father!

[@ctmcatholic]

Praise God!

[@sygnalifeandleadershipcoach]

Praise be to God forever Praise be to our Lord Jesus Christ

[@MRTHUDTV]

Thanks Father.

[@paulmartin7609]

Where are you fr I got healed from bipolar depression through God the most high always Amen Amen

[@ctmcatholic]

Praise God, that's wonderful, Paul!

[@paulmartin7609]

@@ctmcatholic yes ok

[@paulmartin7609]

Praying for your intentions

[@katierothe]

Look forward to your videos every week, Father!

[@ctmcatholic]

Praise God, thank you Kate!

[@rafaeloliva8328]

Good morning father Columba from New York Long Island I always encounter people who don’t believe in JESUS and I get mad at myself because I just simply don’t know what to say but know thanks to you I have a fighting chance of helping someone I know you’re guided by JESUS no doubt in my mind. Blessings to you and my brothers and sisters. Viva Cristo Rey

[@ctmcatholic]

Very glad this could be helpful, Rafael. Bless you!

[@SharonFowle]

Just spent the most extraordinarily fantastic day today celebrating divine mercy Sunday - rosary, exposition, confession, benediction, divine mercy. I love my faith so much. Been buzzing all day 🤩🙏

[@jessmo23]

Beautiful.

[@ctmcatholic]

Thank you.

[@Echho1]

Thank you for your videos father! I really enjoy them and hearing your wisdom and experiences. God bless you father 🙏🏼

[@ctmcatholic]

So glad you’re enjoying the video series, Eric. God bless you

[@MaryJo18]

Excellent! Thank you Father. ❤

[@ctmcatholic]

You are very welcome.

[@retrochristmaschic]

So thankful to have found your channel. I look forward to your videos! Appreciate you so much. God bless.

[@ctmcatholic]

Thank you so much for your kind words and delighted you’re enjoying the content! New videos every Monday and Thursday at 6pm GMT :)

[@retrochristmaschic]

@@ctmcatholic wonderful! I am always interested in your words and know that you speak from your heart.

[@mariac4602]

This was so beautiful. I would love to have you speak more of your faith journey. It seems so powerful.

[@calvondy]

¡Gracias!

[@ctmcatholic]

De nada!

[@bernadettegonzalez1258]

Thank you for your uplifting message. You are such a good teacher. . . and your beard is awesome! 🤣

[@neilwatson2412]

Amen God is good

[@alicebarneto171]

Dear Father Jordan. Please say a prayer for all the youth and young adults in our family who are losing their faith in Christ and the Catholic church, as the New age spiritual notion that all faiths are equal seems to be catching on.

[@ctmcatholic]

Your intention is in our Team’s prayers, Alice. God bless you.

[@onceuponatimemydogslife2156]

How nice to meet people like this, it gives energy to your heart. God bless you

[@ctmcatholic]

Thanks for the encouragement! God bless 😊🙏

[@marianievessolsona2119]

Faith is ike a courtroom, what a great comparison!!! Bravo Father for your podcasts, God bless you

[@ctmcatholic]

Thank you so much Maria, God bless you 🙏

[@Subeffulgent]

Keep up the good work and God bless you and your family 👉✝✝✝

[@ctmcatholic]

Thank you so much 😊🙏

[@robertjordan4672]

Thank you... from Fr Columba's Mam & Dad

[@mazikode]

God bless you too. Thank you i never know how to say something concrete to atheists i always sound insane guillible or plan naive. I thank you for this because its concrete and will get the atheist thinking. I will definetly try this mext time i am askesd

[@ctmcatholic]

Really glad this could be helpful 😊🙏

[@timmarshall4881]

Much more of this. Very helpful and meaningful. Thank you.

[@ctmcatholic]

We’re glad you’re enjoying the series, Tim! God bless!

[@theclapaolini4322]

Great. Way to get to thre real meaning of our faith .with true experience and stories. Experience with people helps you just study them a bit.

[@ctmcatholic]

So glad this spoke to you, Marie. Bless you!

[@thecatholicman]

Excellent video

[@ctmcatholic]

Cheers

[@RealAtheology]

Thank you for sharing Father. As Atheists, we appreciate your civil and informative approach to the issue. We agree with you that demanding certainty on this issue is unreasonable, and we also agree that Theism (and Christianity) should be treated somewhat akin to a Metaphysical Hypothesis, where it is put forward as the best explanation regarding the facts of our world. That said, we do think that while we shouldn't be overly skeptical in our ordinary dealings. There are good reasons to be skeptical of testimony when it comes to Miracle claims. We would defer to the work of David Hume on this, as well as his contemporary defenders such as J.L. Mackie and J.H. Sobel. Nonetheless, we appreciate the video and look forward to your further engagement with Atheism.

[@ctmcatholic]

And thank you for your very civil and respectful comment. Wishing you the best, from all at Called to More.

[@marymcdermott6203]

Great video, thank you, it helped me so much!

[@ctmcatholic]

So so glad to hear it, Mary. Praise God!

[@stevenkavanagh2082]

I don’t remember ever not believing so I say to people that God made me Catholic because He knew I was too stupid to find the true Faith 🤷‍♂️😏

[@ctmcatholic]

Lol 😅 whatever the way, you found your way Home 😊🙏

[@bruno-orante]

Just found your channel and subscribed… God Bless you and keep you always close to His heart. Pax et Bonum

[@ctmcatholic]

Delighted to have you with us, hope you continue to enjoy our channel. Deo gratias.

[@Jo_Lori]

❤

[@Liesl_Cigarboxguitar]

I had a very similar experience to yours. It changed my life too, although clearly I did not grow a beard lol. Seriously though, thank you so much Fr. J ...God bless

[@ctmcatholic]

Haha, I’m sure you did something far greater than grow a beard. God bless, Katie and Team

[@ctmcatholic]

(No offence to Fr Columba.)

[@Liesl_Cigarboxguitar]

@@ctmcatholic brother... I'm finding life difficult...please pray for me 🌹

[@Liesl_Cigarboxguitar]

@@ctmcatholic 🌹

[@Liesl_Cigarboxguitar]

@@ctmcatholic 🌹🌹🌹

[@jamessilcock7158]

A good thing to say to an atheist who values science is to ask them to do an experiment of treating God like he exists, and see what happens, like any good scientist.

[@ctmcatholic]

💙

[@jenelms905]

Can you make more "How to Talk to... other religious and non-religious persons. To connect and evangelize takes learning from the experience of others and from trying. Thank you.

[@ctmcatholic]

We have a video on that planned!

[@gemeinschaftsgeful]

I could almost guarantee that if God could be proved scientifically, He would still be denied. Those that would not deny Him, would be indifferent.

[@ctmcatholic]

Quite possibly. We need to pray for those who don’t know Him yet.

[@catherinehewson3513]

✝️♥️🕊

[@ctmcatholic]

🙏❤️

[@josephoyanadel4184]

Dear father. You touched on my own experience with the subject of looking for "evidence" I just finished writing a book of my experience. The title is Story of an immigrant. (Love, joy, happiness, beauty, pleasure and freedom. I want it all) Incredible events meet me unsuspectingly through it all, that brought me to the door of God's love. Would you be interested in giving me your opinion?

[@Kitiwake]

As law or politics are on the philosophical level.

[@ctmcatholic]

🙏🏼

[@heathsavage4852]

I offer atheists this: " Why do you expend so much energy trying to persuade people that something that doesn't exist, doesn't exist?"

[@ctmcatholic]

You have a point!

[@Georgian1717]

Some do, some don’t. Those who do are taking instructions from Jesus because there is a reason we exist. There is a greater story to life we can’t see. Our lives are part of a larger sphere, this planet and the supernatural world. We have souls and there is a chance to lose it. Jesus came for the salvation of humanity in their ignorance and darkness. If it wasn’t real, it would of faded away like all human fads do. The fact is, the spiritual dimension is VERY real. Demons are real, angels are real and life after death exists. We can find these things out for ourself. All you have to do is be open sincerely and ask: Are you real Jesus? Did you die for me and everyone? Then you will know.

[@shaunontheweb8119]

Tink that should be Marley 😄

[@carolinpurayidom4570]

There is scietific evidence one being eucharistic miracles and other stuff but its not solid enough unfortunately

[@ctmcatholic]

Different people need different proof alright.

[@theodoremartin6153]

Father.....are you trying to tell me my Ace Ventura " REPENT ! and thou shall be saved ! " technique is responsible for my zero in a thousand soul saving average ?

[@ctmcatholic]

It’s never too late to try something different 😆

[@erinduvic8579]

What was his field of study please?

[@ctmcatholic]

Do you mean what Father studied in university? He’s currently on retreat but I can ask him when he’s back.

[@erinduvic8579]

@@ctmcatholicYes thank you. He just seems very intelligent by the way he explains things. Just curious to know what he studied. God bless you.

[@iwilldi]

You never read the gospel of Mark.

[@bibsann861]

Who would die a tortuous death for a lie such as the apostles? They saw Christ dead. buried and rise . A lie like that would die out not spread worldwide to many people of sound mind.

[@buddybrown4691]

I don't understand this video.

[@erinduvic8579]

He is deep, huh? Precisely why I love him! Ask the Holy Spirit to open the “eyes” of your heart. Effatha=Be open