The Atheist and the Believer

The atheist said to the believer, "Why should I believe in God?"

"So that you do not go to Hell."

"What a selfish answer! Is your faith so weak that you only believe so you can avoid punishment?" the atheist replied.

"No, but yours is," the believer responded. "When a child is young, you tell him not to do something or he will get in trouble. But when that child is older, he understands that it was to protect him and others. Your faith is young. And God understands that you need to grow into it before you can understand God's complexity. But to start, just believe in Him. For whatever reason. More will come when you are ready."