[alenbarbaf]

I have an atheist/agnostic friend who is interested in practicing virtue. I don't know his reason for practicing virtue, and I asked him once what is the purpose of such a thing, but he didn't have a response. He said he had to think about it. But this man seems particularly virtuous (at least externally), and it seems obvious that he struggles to attain humility. I'm surprised at his desire to learn about and practice virtues. And I'm positive he was like this way before he met me, so this has nothing to do with me.

He recently started getting interested in Orthodox asceticism. He is interested in learning how to guard his thoughts, how to protect himself from pride, how to practice "remembrance of death", etc. For example, I copied for him some quotes from "the Ladder", and he absolutely loved them. He asked me where he could find a copy of the book. I pointed out the Holy Transfiguration Monastery website, but I suggested that the book might not be good for him, because it might be "too much", and he probably won't understand a lot of the contents.

I must note that he doesn't seem at all interested in Christianity, and he seems very set on remaining an atheist/agnostic.

This is the scenario that caused me to ask this question. But the question is meant to be general, and not concerning this specific case.

In general, is there any benefit for any atheist to read Orthodox literature, if they just want to use it to learn how to be "a better person"? Should we try to prevent them from reading such things? Should we encourage such behavior? Are there any dangers? Would it be a sin to share the Orthodox "practices" with someone who isn't interested in becoming Orthodox? Can these people become virtuous by practicing Orthodox asceticism, even though they don't have a desire to become a Christian? Is it possible that they reach a higher level of purity, which makes them more receptive to converting and becoming Orthodox?

Thank you for your thoughts.