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QUESTION:I have a good friend who has chosen to be an atheist. He is in his eighties. I cannot understand how anyone can choose a belief like this. I think if I was an atheist, I'd switch just in case the theists were right. Is there anything I can say that might persuade him to change his beliefs before it's too late?
ANSWER:It is obvious from your letter that you are concerned about your friend's eternal fate, which is understandable given your own religious beliefs. Assuming that you have already expressed your concern to him, the best way to approach him about it is not to do so. After all, he is not a child, and although you might not accept, respect, or even understand his point of view, you must respect his right to believe as he does. Having freedom of religion necessarily grants all of us the right to freedom from religion as well. It is unlikely that you are going to change his mind. Quoting the bible would most likely drive a wedge further between the two of you, and only weaken what friendship you have. At the age of 80, he undoubtedly has been preached to before.
Your argument that it would be better for him to believe in God just in case he's wrong, shows little conviction on your part. Beliefs aren't arrived at as simply as choosing what flavor of ice cream you happen to be in the mood for. Most people's beliefs are acquired from a combination of their upbringing or culture, their education, their own experiences, and, hopefully, a lot of thought. Your friend could pretend to believe, but if God does exist and is "all knowing", then He is surely able to tell the difference between a true believer and someone who isn't. If you truly believe in God, maybe you should talk to Him about your friend. In the meantime, be a friend and not a preacher. You may think he's foolish for not believing in God, and risking eternal damnation, but he probably thinks you're foolish for living in a supernatural fantasyland. You're both entitled to your opinions.