How do we win those who reject the faith?

A student at the Faculty of Pharmacy in the University of Alexandria was once invited to spend the summer vacation with another student of Pharmacy in Western Europe, as part of a student exchange program between the two countries, during the days of President Gamal Abdel Nasser. When the Egyptian student returned to Alexandria, she received a letter from her colleague who had hosted her. The European student thanked her for accepting the invitation and told her that this three-month summer period had been one of the most beautiful periods of her life. She apologized for ridiculing her faith in God, the Bible, and eternal life. She told her that she had the greatest affection for her, and that she would rebuke herself every night for mocking the girl’s faith. But somehow, that never stopped her from mocking her anew every day for the whole three months.

In her letter, she confessed that in her, she saw a person who does not suffer from feelings of isolation, who loves everyone she meets in a spirit of humility and wondrous fellowship with the loving and almighty God. She asked if she could remain in touch with her so that she could enjoy what she enjoys.

A dear friend who works as an engineer surveying the sea floor once told me this story. On board the boat was an atheist British engineer, and the two became friends. After fifteen days, as the British engineer was departing for England he said to his friend, “I thank you for the opportunity to chat with you over these past two weeks. I have not come across a religious person who conversed with me so attentively and respectfully. I may disagree with you on some points, but I’ve decided that when I return home, I will reassess my life, and reconsider everything you said to me.”