Why Religious People Can't Convert Atheists

In today’s video, we’re diving deep into a question that’s been asked over and over: why do religious people struggle to convert atheists? Whether it’s in person, online, or through media, many atheists have experienced countless attempts at conversion — and more often than not, those attempts fail. But why?

In this video, we’ll explore some of the key reasons why religious arguments often miss the mark with atheists. From misunderstandings about what atheism actually is to the repetition of old, debunked arguments, we’ll break down why these attempts rarely succeed. We’ll also look at how listening, engaging respectfully, and understanding each other’s positions can lead to more meaningful conversations.

If you’ve ever been on the receiving end of these conversion attempts, you’ll probably recognize some of the frustrations we discuss here. And if you’re someone trying to understand why your arguments haven’t worked, this video might help shed some light on what’s going wrong — and how to approach these discussions more effectively.

Key Topics Covered:

- Misunderstanding Atheism: Why religious people often get it wrong.

- The Repetition of Arguments: Why hearing the same arguments over and over is frustrating.

- The Importance of Listening: Why most religious attempts fail because they don’t understand atheists' perspectives.

- Faith vs. Reason: Why arguments based on faith often don’t resonate with atheists.

- Emotional Appeals and Their Limits: Why atheists are looking for evidence, not emotional stories.

- How to Have More Productive Conversations: What religious people can do differently to engage with atheists.

If you found this video insightful, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more content on the intersection of religion, belief, and skepticism. Let’s keep the conversation respectful, open, and constructive.

Join the Conversation:

- Have you ever been on the receiving end of religious arguments? How did you respond?

- What do you think religious people can do to better understand atheists and their perspectives?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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[diarmuidkuhle]

A large number of atheists were brought up religious, they left for a reason.

[Edawgg]

On the other side, as Aron Ra once said, "All religious claims/arguments fall into one of two categories: 1. Not evidently true, or 2. Evidently not true."

Every. Single. One.

[ZenWithKen]

You are trying to convince me there is a flying, fire breathing dragon without ever showing the dragon. You point at poop, charred wood, prints on the ground but never show the dragon. Never show it's responsible for the poop, charred wood or prints on the ground. You read from the dragon book and point out that it mentions towns that exists and how could the people in the story know things. You point out that a dragon is the best answer to all the questions we have about the thing we see in nature. You point out that you just need to have faith in the dragon. You point out that I am blind for not seeing the evidence of the dragon...but you never ever show the dragon. You point out I need the dragon. In fact I can't live without it. That I am nothing without the dragon, yet ignore that I have no need for the dragon, can't believe in a dragon that has never be demonstrated. That I live my life without a second thought about the dragon. That I'm okay if you believe there is a dragon, but don't want you to force your dragon standard on me. I simply don't care what you think your dragon is good for. Keep your dragon, celebrate your dragon, but do it in your own place, in your own time and honor my desire to have nothing to do with it.

[perfesser]

Because they do not have the proof positive we critical thinkers demand to acknowledge any fact. It is as if my kid nephew were to try to make me believe Superman exists by showing me his comics.

[LoyalLuna]

The problem is if theists were open minded and capable of critical thinking they wouldn’t be theists

[WonderGeology]

Former Southern Baptist here. One of the things I roll my eyes at is the fact they only use the bible as their only resource. I've read the bible, had deep discussions during Bible Study and Sunday School classes. I've heard it all and scripture is NOT the way to convince me. I mean really, God allowed the devil to destroy Job?? It's ridiculous. Please don't quote scripture to me; I've heard it and read it and it isn't enough to convice me to change.

[roqsteady]

Probably the main reason is that what they are trying to make one believe is as absurd as children’s fairy tales with or without talking animals.

[somersetcace]

After 59 years of hearing every irrational argument you can think of while no one manages to come up with anything new, other than reformed versions of the same arguments, I'm at least fairly confident that trend isn't going to change before I die. Though, in fairness, I am open to new arguments, it's just they don't have any, and the ones they've been regurgitating are anything but compelling.

[aden]

To convert back would be asking me to once again believe in Santa.

[MrCanis]

“Why Religious People Can't Convert Atheists”.
With a 2000 year old Tribal War Lord Manual?

I need much more than that. 😂

[Gabachazo]

The first thing theists need is evidence, a tingly feeling isn't enough!!!

[james]

Once you understand why the arguments for religion are flawed, you become immune to proselytizing. Just like once you understand why a pyramid scheme cannot work, it's impossible to get sucked in to one.

[TheLeadster]

The only original argument I have heard went like this: We have the word television because televisions exist. We have the word aircraft because aircraft exist. If they didn't exist we wouldn't have those words. We have the word god therefore god must exist.
I responded with one word: MARTIANS.

[philhart]

An ounce of critical thinking easily overpowers a ton of Sky Daddy fairy tales.

[liddybird]

I grew up with a Baptist mother, and was dragged to church every Sunday for 17 years. I frankly didn't pay much attention. It was like being a fish that's not aware of water. All of my family and everybody I had ever met was a Christian, or Jewish. What finally did get my attention was a sermon on Lot. If you think about that story and leave out the supernatural elements, it's really about abuse, and horribly disgusting. At 14, after agonizing over admitting it for a few years, I finally decided I didn't believe any of it and never had. My brain just does not work that way.

[lme]

Probably because believers don’t have evidence.

[seniorcousin]

Once someone comes to understand that there may be 2 trillion galaxies in the observable universe and an invisible man in the sky didn’t create everything because he was lonely and wanted pets, there’s no going back. Same as with Santa Claus.
Religious people, stop talking to me about your imaginary friend.

[reim]

Another reason, following the lack of evidence reason, is they use the bible to prove the bible

[Valicroix]

Excellent video, but I think you should have included appeal to scripture. I've read the Bible. That's one of the reasons WHY I'm an atheist. Quoting Bible verses (or Quran verses) doesn't impress me.

[jennameg]

Ive never met an intellectually honest Christian. They were never open to being wrong and honestly just seeking whatever the actual truth might be. They look for arguments that reinforce what they believe and ignore anything contradictory. The video was pretty accurate as far as I’m concerned and it also sounds like what the atheists I know think about Christians. I wish apologists would watch it with an open mind. I’m always up to hearing things that challenge what I believe is true because I like to put it to the test and am open to the fact I could be wrong, but theists don’t seem to want to or don’t have the ability to engage in that way. I saw a YouTube apologist describe her credentials and the “research” she’d done in apologetics and the one thing she didn’t mention was ever having spoken to an actual atheist to ask what they believe. That, to me, sounds like someone far more interested in reinforcing the faith of those who already believe but just beginning to question.