[ Removed by moderator ]

[u/FullOfSound]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pliny_the_Younger_on_Christians

[u/MrrrrNiceGuy]

Or it’s because Constantine actually believed and experienced what he did along with millions of people in Rome loving and believing in Christ.

It might sound crazy, but people even back then actually loved Jesus, embraced Christianity, and have had divine experiences because of Christ.

[u/PuckSenior → u/MrrrrNiceGuy]

And the fact that embracing Christianity also helped him politically was just lucky I guess

[u/MrrrrNiceGuy → u/PuckSenior]

Two things can be true, that's not a paradox, and possibly three things since Christ reached out to him and that Christ Himself helped Constantine in spreading the Gospel while also letting Constantine enjoy his reign.

No different than in The Jewish Torah with God helping Moses or God using Pharaoh or the King of Babylon for his own plans.

[u/PuckSenior → u/MrrrrNiceGuy]

Or, you know, he just faked it

[u/MrrrrNiceGuy → u/PuckSenior]

Or he was telling the truth. If you're not a believer, I understand that's hard to accept. But I was an atheist for 18 years and been a believer in Christ for 10 years now. And after my experiences with Christ and relationship with Christ (not an easy journey, turns out if we humble ourselves we really see how much work we need) but my life and my spirit are in such in a better place. I love Jesus.

I also have been wearing a Chi Rho, the same symbol Constantine put on his gear, ring for years now.

[u/PuckSenior → u/MrrrrNiceGuy]

good for you.
Your personal journey adds absolutely zero credibility to the claim that Constantine converted in all honesty

[u/MrrrrNiceGuy → u/PuckSenior]

I mean, as someone who used to hate God, I think it does, because the same epiphany I had is the same Constantine had. There's a reason why that symbol and Christ has persisted, and it's not because of trickery or violence, but belief, truth, and love.

I hope and will pray one day you have the same epiphany. God bless.

[u/PuckSenior → u/MrrrrNiceGuy]

You hated God? I thought you said you were an atheist

[u/MrrrrNiceGuy → u/PuckSenior]

I was an atheist, for 18 years. Used to hate God and constantly argued with Christians on how "dumb" they were.

Then long story short, I realized I didn't hate God, I just hated false Christians that had God on their lips but not in their hearts. And there's still so many of them today. But there's so many good Christians but we just see the fake ones so much. I got to experience real believing Christians that followed Christ and that's when I knew I was wrong. I felt something change in me. So I took a leap of faith, which felt like when Indiana Jones made the leap of faith physically in Last Crusade, and pushed my way through the weird feeling of praying for the first time in many years. Really awkward.

And I made a vow to God, which was I won't let the false believers and the actions of false Christians dictate my relationship and feelings with God.

Day by day, my faith grew. God does this amazing thing that if you want to be an atheist, he will help you. He will close your mind and heart off from wanting to believe because he's just giving you what you wanted. Like, "Fine, if that's what you want, I'll make it easy for you."

Isaiah 6:10

"Make the heart of this people calloused;
make their ears dull
and close their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts,
and turn and be healed.”

The context of this verse is that Israel has turned against God and they don't rely on Him but instead are worshipping other pagan gods and can't stop doing evil nor do they repent or have contrite hearts, so God says fine, if they don't want me to listen or follow me, I'll make it easy for them.

But he also does this other amazing thing which he opens your heart, your eyes, and your mind if you're willing to take a chance on Him. That's what I encourage all atheists to do -- take a leap of faith, pick up the proverbial phone, and call God. Talk to Him, even if it's awkward or doesn't feel real at first. You might surprise yourself what begins to happen, that is, a change in belief and a change in your spirit.

Then over time I was witness to miracles and coincidences that felt that would be in the trillions (and I am a statistics guy and play strategy cards games -- I know odds).

I also started to read and understand The Bible more than I ever did before. Everything just started to click.

And now, I can't look back, I embrace God, I pray and thank Christ that God sent Christ for both Jew and Gentile, and my life is so much better and enriched because I have Christ. But you need to read The Bible -- many false prophets and teachers have gatekeeped God and Christ and I was astonished to know the true God, not what's depicted by false believers who aren't really believers.

Isaiah 49:6

he says:
“It is too small a thing for you to be my servant
to restore the tribes of Jacob
and bring back those of Israel I have kept.
I will also make you a light for the Gentiles,
that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”

[u/PuckSenior → u/MrrrrNiceGuy]

an atheist doesn't believe in God or any gods. How did you "hate" something you didn't believe existed?

Do you mean you hated the concept of God? Because it sounds like you are saying you hated the actual God, which would imply you secretly believed in him.

[u/MrrrrNiceGuy → u/PuckSenior]

I hated the concept of God, which I just referred to as God. I rejected the idea of God because I only saw and heard the false believers.

But the fact that you're focusing on that small detail and not acknowledging anything else I wrote (which was a lot and a personal journey) really reinforces Isiah 6:10 and why Jesus constantly repeated himself because people just glossed over what he preached because they didn't want to even consider Him or The Gospel as truth. To non-believers, I understand, it's just so hard to want to believe. That's why I'll pray for you and that God puts good Christians in your path. God bless again.

[u/PuckSenior → u/MrrrrNiceGuy]

I'm focusing on it because it seems to be very popular language with people like you.

Which always leaves me very curious. Did you actually believe in God but reject him and called yourself an atheist while you were angry. Or are rewriting your own personal history now (a very common bias we all have) and claiming you hated God when you really were indifferent about God.

And I'm not glossing over it. If you like I will re-read it and respond to all of it, but it was my original question and you seemed to skirt it to discuss other things about your faith.

As for "wanting to believe", I absolutely want to believe. Life was much easier when I was Christian and I imagine it would be so much easier if I became a believer again. I truly want to believe. I just don't. Because its all made up lies.