Jon points out that it DOES NOT WORK. Non-believers point out that it DOES NOT WORK. If you start manufacturing reasons in your mind why it SHOULD work, that is what we call "denying reality". It's an accusation that Christians are all too vulnerable to already (just look at the way you treat evolution theory), so when you do it with Bible verses, you are only confirming what every atheist is already inclined to believe: that you can't think for yourselves and that all you can do is quote out of a book.

Is that really the message you want to send?

I've said this many times, and I'll say it again. If you want an atheist to be impressed with Jesus, then DEMONSTRATE his love instead of TALKING about it. A single truly loving, open, accepting Christian is worth a hundred modern-day Pharisees quoting Scripture at people.

As for the validity of the bible or any holy book? The leaders of every faith will admit to have edited the holy book. On top of that the Christian bible is made up of ONLY 4 books. You realize that there were originally hundreds… possibly thousands? That each book was an account of things told by 1 person. So do you expect us to believe that only 4 out of the MANY got it right? And on top of that look at how we treat our heroes in history. We wipe clean their humanity, and over exaggerate their accomplishments… making them seem legendary. Jesus was a man… like the rest of us. It sounds like he was a fairly well spoken man with a lot of friends. Are you going to tell me that such a man didn't enjoy the pleasure of a woman? It's completely reasonable that he slept with women, had relationships, and even got married. But such a truth would TAINT your faith.. So it must be stricken from the record.

So, all in all? What do we expect? Religion is like the military. It tends to attract people who are emotionally broken, poorly educated, irrational, or too young to REALLY ask questions. You'd have a hard time going into a community of highly educated, rational people who are good citizens, good friends, etc… and convincing them the bible is the TRUE WORD.

To be honest… nothing in the bible is truly convincing to people. We're social creatures. What convinces us is other people. If the person preaching has a respectable, mature, understanding, worldly appearance, he will draw in people because of who he is, not what he's saying. No eskimo needs to buy ice, yet if you have the right person do it? He'll make a fortune. Why? Because people don't typically concern themselves with the words until AFTER the fact. When people convince others of something? They don't approach it the way they might have before the fact. They talk to the "non christian" as if he already believes, and perhaps simply lost his way.

Just because you read something and followed it doesn't make it true. YES, being kind to your neighbors, and giving, and tolerant, and compassionate, whatever will probably attract others. The PHILOSOPHY could be attractive. But the underlying points such as Jesus was the son of Man, You must baptize or you can't go to heaven.. those things? Sorry, can't convince us. Deep down, the philosophy of Christianity is similar to philosophy in other religions and Eastern philosophies.

You can take a baby, and drill him/her the philosophy of being compassionate, caring, giving, respectful etc, and if you compare him/her with a Christian, I'm pretty sure you won't notice a difference. How do I know? Because I KNOW people who are like that and they aren't Christians.. Oh, oh, how do you know their hearts? Please, I won't even answer such a question.

There's a HUGE hole in Christianity and most religions.

1) There HAS to be a creator, right?! right? right? I mean… who created us?! Nothing?!
Ok, there has to be a creator. Sure i grant you that. Sure.. but who says that this creator is the Christian God? Who says the Bible was his word? Who says he sent Jesus to Earth to save you? Who says he told u you gotta get baptized? Who says he is always looking after u? Who says he was harsh and tortured some dude named Job? The bible could be fabricated. MADE UP STORIES.

OK OK, but really you tell me… made up stories? Come up, get REAL. That HUGE book? Made up? You kidding me? I got 2 things to counter that: The Koran – that's a HUGE HUGE book too, why is that false?
2 – We're human beings. Humans lie. Humans manipulate. Humans are crooks. We deceive. I can very very very much believe the Bible was fabricated. Very much. It doesn't even require a 2nd thought. I have NO faith in humans. NONE. Bible = LIE? YEP! I can believe that. and very likely too – let's see we got unfulfilled prophecies, lots of discrepancies in the books, ambiguous doctrine, events that seem unbelievable, things that seem to stem from past religions before christianity, etc… I believe Christianity is a deception b/c it most likely is… NOT because it's what I wanna believe (Nice try!)

Shit just happens randomly, folks. No point or purpose or meaning in anything. You believe but deep down you know there is no proof. The Bible is no proof. I understand and respect if Christianity adds value to your life, and gives you inner peace. Keep on believing, but there is no logical reason Christianity is true.