Does anyone have any ideas for spreading the good word of atheism?
958441
Yes.  I've done tabling with an atheist group.  I have bumper stickers on my car.  If someone asks about my religion, I tell them I'm an atheist.  I tell people about Richard Dawkins' book, "The God Delusion".  I answer religious questions here.
11806
If showing them that it is impossible for us to be alive without God, and that God's creation obviously points to a Creator doesn't work, then all you can really do is pray for God to open their eyes. Keep working on them until they either completely refuse to listen, or until they finally realize there is a God. Just keep praying! \n\nAlso keep reading God's Word. Sometimes when you are reading the Bible, God will show something to you that you never noticed before. If you pray about it, He may show you a new way to prove that He exists to that atheist. Just do right, read your Bible, and pray!\n\nI hope God opens the door to lead that atheist to Him. When he finally realizes that God exists, then you should be able to lead him to Christ. God bless!
235243
In broad brushstrokes:\n\n1. Stop the repeating messages- "we need more money, praise god, ain't life great, pray more, we need more money, praise..."\n\n2. Offer purposeful messages on how to deal with the world as it exists for us now using Biblical principles. Use solid examples and offer places to get additional help. \n\n3. Tone down the 'happy happy joy joy' stuff. A big 'puffy' emotional high is just a prelude to a big emotional crash later.\n\n4. Build community. Find concrete ways to celebrate, love, and help each other- within the church and around us.\n\n5. Make it more of a retreat or something- make it something a bit more special. Serve a meal is one good idea.\n\n6. Make it more congregation-based and interactive. Give out homework or assign projects. Let other people write sermons or lead prayers or suggest songs.\n\n7. Stop lying. God does not answer prayer like it was a shopping list. Church does not guarantee happiness or health. Giving does usually feel good or benefit me later. Be honest, almost painfully so. Prepare us for the bad times and hard times, and stop making it easy for everyone to play the 'holier than thou' game.
998278
I know the point you're trying to get across to people but I don't think the right way to show people a loving God is to call them dumb. As Christians we're not here to judge others, we're here to love others. So pray for those who don't believe in God and guide them to the Lord through your example.
850891
You can teach that - just don't pass it off as science (its like pushing your pamphlets under the door), put it in a religious instruction class.
1027783
Good question.\n\nWe could also ask the same question about homeless shelters, schools, soup kitchens, crisis pregnancy centers, and so on.\n\nThe only thing I can think of that's been built in the name of atheism is abortion clinics.
1091852
I recommend a religous message board. Try these:\n\nwww.faithforum.org\nwww.christianforums.com\nwww.iidb.org
222129
You might try putting yourself in their mindframe.  They believe they have the answers which will save them from eternal damnation, hell, torture and whatever else accompanies that belief.  If you knew you had this knowledge, and if you see there are millions of people in regions in the world where they do not know about this, you might feel you have a humane responsibility to help spread this information to save people.\n\nWhile I understand that impulse from a humanitarian point of view, I would fault them for not realizing there are hundreds of religions all over the world.\n\nDespite this some-what narrow minded view, missionary activities bring some benefits to a region;  often they work to build up infrastructure such as roads/electricity/etc.  In comparison, Christian missionary activities, which are humanitarian in nature, are far better than other religious actions.  A priest working in the jungles can do good for humankind, and is much preferable to detrimental forms of religious expression and atrocities that unfortunately tends to go hand in hand with religious fervor.
568694
Honestly? You can spread all the peace, love and happiness emails all you want. People are getting tired of all the junk mail throughout the Internet. If you really want to do some good and get people to spread the peace and love, start with yourself. Societies problem is we preach but don't participate. We worry more about other back yards and not our own. I am in another country where tyranny and bullets reign. Ever since I have been here I have always found something good to either give, do or show to the host countrymen. I have made more friends by showing rather than asking why; it has spread within themselves. Now every time they see me they ask me for advice and to help them solve a problem because they know that I will never walk away. \nSome times you have to sacrifice a little time in your life to give someone theirs in their life. I give you a challenge; \n    Whenever you are out motivating around the neighborhood or around town and you see someone who needs help? Either offer it to them or just help. Actions speak louder than words. I guarantee you they will either say thank you or just walk away. If they walk away don't get mad. I promise you that you definitely made a difference in their life. They will eventually come looking for you. You seem like a very educated person, use your imagination. Start with your wife or neighbor or your colleges at work or school.
785289
We need Atheists to increase the faith of Christians.
848307
I think that the best way to let your religion gain followers is by actually practicing it, or in your case, being a good Christian.\n\nThe only way people get converted is if they want it themselves. You can't push people into converting (as in relly converting, not just pretending). People who have strong beliefs in whatever they believe are unlikely to change their mind, no matter how often you tell them they're going to hell and no matter how often you quote the Bible. You only annoy them and give them feelings of persecution if you keep forcing your religion down their throats against their will.\n\nBut there are some people who aren't sure or are still searching for something. It's those people who might convert and the best way to attract them is by showing them the true colors of your religion. Practice what you preach and let them see the beauty in your religion. That is likely to inspire them to find out more and even convert eventually.\n\nChristians who preach without practicing what they preach are hypocrites and it's people like that who push possible converts away and gain enemies among firm non-Christians. Why would anyone want to convert to a religion whose own followers don't even bother following as much as the main message of the religion?
716748
as a theist I think that's a great idea. If they require a text book to have a sticker then so should the Bible.
496767
I have realized that no one reads this when I just link to it, so here is my response to an earlier similar question:\n\n I believe that I have been nothing but courteous to the people of faith here. I openly deny their belief-system. They openly deny mine. That's fine. We have, however, engaged in some very respectful debate, much to the benefit (I hope) of both sides. I know that my beliefs have not changed, but my preconceptions about young-Earth Christians have been shattered by some of the people I have found here. I think that they are wrong, but I am thrilled to have the opportunity to debate with them without resorting to name-calling or rudeness.\n\nGranted, this requires an openness on both our parts. I think that their faith is "wrong." They think that my lack of faith is "wrong." This is where most people get hung up and debate can go no further. If someone disagreeing with you is "offensive," you're stuck. Once you accept this disagreement, you are quite free to exchange ideas. This is what I have found here (for the most part.)\n\nAs for why I spend so much time in the religion and spirituality forum, I see faith as playing a huge role in the lives of everyone in the world, be they moderate Muslims, fundamentalist Christians, Pagans, or Atheists like myself.\n\nIn my supposedly free country I see gays discriminated against due to faith. People who would never think of using the N-word openly hate and criticize homosexuals for what they are, not who they are. \n\nI see medical advances that could help millions of people stymied by arguments that have their basis in faith. Stem cell research could potentially ease the suffering of billions around the globe, but people of faith stand in the way.\n\nWe are currently involved in what may or may not be a holy war. This is an issue of faith.\n\nOur current government supports "faith-based initiatives" in what may be a breach of The Constitution itself.\n\nI know that faith helps people sleep at night. This doesn't undo the tremendous amount of suffering it has inflicted at every turn of history. \n\nI see faith as a problem, and would like to encourage people to put aside their myths and embrace reason. However, I realize that this is futile. As Jonathan Swift said, "It is useless to attempt to reason a man out of a thing he was never reasoned into."\n\nThat said, I think that Yahoo Answers provides a wonderful opportunity to try to see where other people are coming from. I disagree with the Christians (and Muslims and Pagans...), but I think it is very important for me to try to understand them. I would hope that they will try to understand me. Once we find some common ground and some mutual respect, we can truly start to talk about things.\n\nI hate the name-calling. The largest problem I have with religion is that it is divisive. I feel that this is the most important aspect of faith that needs to be removed from the equation. Name-calling is also divisive and does not fit into my attempts to act reasonably.\n\nI feel that I deny, but do not scoff. I embrace and enjoy open debate. I think that the things discussed here are important. I'd like to think that some of the things I have to say are pertinent. \n\nIf you want a place for only Christians (for example) to exchange ideas, there are plenty of places on the web for that. However, I think that this exclusion of other mindsets and worldviews does a disservice to those who would seek such a closed system.\n\nThat's why, as an atheist, I show up on the religion thread.
149008
People should politely inform other people about their religion then leave it up to them to decide what they want to believe. \nI think expanding one's knowledge of different religions is always beneficial, whether you agree with their ideas or not.
942710
Try THE BRIGHTS. This is a global on-line constituency, an umbrella group for atheists agnostics humanists and others. \nhttp://www.the-brights.net/\n\nOr check out your local secular society, most places will have one here's mine.\nhttp://www.secularism.org.uk/
359954
I found one on crossdaily.com that is pretty good. But you  have to becarful. I found that even though they are christian there is a good deal of stuff being discussed that isn't exactly christian like. Good luck.
100740
It depends on what the exchange is addressing.\n\nIf you are attempting to convince an Atheist as to the validity of religion or faith, then likely not.  That would be particularly true with an Atheist who stands on a foundation of Determinism.\n\nAny other subject would be fair game and most Atheists I know are open to new knowledge and more then willing to develop new conclusions, but you will have to present arguments bast on solid provable facts.\n\nBy the way, I have been a Deterministic Atheist for nearly 50 years.