Preaching Religion

[Kiddo]

Oily said:

And the curious thing is is that I've never been depressed in my life. In fact, I'm sickeningly happy all the time
The god I would believe in would be caring - caring enough to judge people on themselves and not on their beliefs.

What I was trying to say was more what KKM posted:



I would only ever give belief to a god that wouldn't judge people on their beliefs, but on their "good-ness."

Okay, I just read it wrong than! I get whatcha mean now, it's the same thing I've heard from a lot of people, including some of my close friends.

I have a response to that system of belief along with a couple of other points brought up, but considering this thread is about people being preachy, I don't think I should go into detail.

Feel free to pm me though.

[Tdyans]

I know a lot of people talk about trying to respect others' beliefs even if they don't agree with them. Well, like it or not, one belief of Christianity is that we're called to witness to people, to share the good news, to lead others to Christ.

Words are such powerful things. Look at those words I just used above. Look at the words I see so often on these boards when the subject of religion comes up: "forcing religion on someone," "trying to convert someone," "preaching at" (what a difference even just two letters makes in using "at" vs. "to"). The negative connotations are just staggering. I don't think anyone would argue that those sound bad. And it's true. No one should try to force belief on anyone else. Faith is about, well... faith. If you are forced to believe in something, it's not faith. Faith is a matter of choice.

But I'm going to talk about the ideal situation here, so don't argue that it doesn't always happen this way-- I know. When a Christian talks to you about their beliefs, tries to witness to you, etc., it's not out of a sense of superiority (as I said on another thread, I believe I'm no better than anyone else, and probably worse than some-- that I'm saved only by the grace of God), or out of a "our team has to be the biggest so we'll win!" mentality. It is done out of love. Even if you don't share their beliefs, try to realize that they do sincerely believe that they have THE truth and they are trying to share it with you out of concern for you. To keep it to themselves would be selfish. Again, you don't have to agree with any of that, but try to recognize that that is their perspective and try to respect their good intentions. I know that's easier said than done-- I know I don't like people telling me their beliefs that I don't agree with, but I do my best to respect the fact that they are not doing it to be rude or pushy but because they believe what they are saying is the truth-- that is just the nature of religion-- and believe it will help others. If it's someone handing out Bibles (which is pretty innocuous) or bringing literature to your door (okay, I can understand the annoyance I suppose, but it's still not that terrible), and you don't care for what they're "preaching," just let them know politely that you're not interested and walk away or close the door. They'll keep going door to door despite the people who don't want to hear what they have to say just because there may be even just one person out there who is searching for something to believe in and needs to hear what they have to say. If it's someone you know, thank them for caring (if you can) and tell them politely that you don't share their beliefs and would rather not discuss it.

Now like I said, that up there was the ideal, and one that I think is exemplified by people like Kiddo, Crystal and others who have posted here and elsewhere. But I've heard enough examples from people here and seen enough in my own life to know that's not always how it happens. Which is unfortunate, since we're supposed to be a witness by our actions and the way that we treat others as much as by our words (if not moreso). Nobody should treat you differently or badly because you don't share their beliefs or because you're not as "religious" as them, (I know Christians who if asked if they are "religious" would say "no" or "No, but I am spiritual" because of the connotations attached to "religious" that it is an outward show without anything inward-- again, the power of words), and as I already said, nobody should try to force religion on you. In those cases, I wouldn't expect you to show respect, but I do hope that you would not take them as an example of all Christians-- and that includes Christians who might try to share their beliefs with you in a more tactful manner.

Anyway, I just wanted to try to give that perspective, and I hope what I've said makes sense. I'm tempted to say something about God's benevolence and man's goodness, too-- not as preaching, but as explanation, again, of my perspective as a Christian on the matter-- but perhaps I should follow Kiddo's example there and not go so far off topic. But I'll say the same-- that if anyone wants to PM me, they may, and I'll do my best to answer.

[Kuro]

(NOTE: I got lazy and didn't read all the posts... sorry. ^^; )

If you're Christain, Jewish, whatever... I don't care. If you believe in God or think Harry Potter and Halloween is evil because your religion is against it... It doesn't matter to me. I, on the other hand, am atheist and like Harry Potter, Halloween and all that stuff.

What I'm NOT ok with is when people start shoving religion down my throat and try to convert me to their religion. I don't like it when people say I'm going to hell, or when they say they'll pray for me and all that stuff. All that says to me is that they think I'm stupid for not believing in God and whatnot.

Basically all I'm saying is that I'm willing to respect your beliefs if you're willing to respect mine.

[gamecubeking]

Well, I can say that I don't know much about extremists like that, I have seen a few in video series my youth group does. But me being a very young christian, I don't see to much of that stuff.

Logically though, you should just avoid religoius extremists, and If you can't, don't let them bother you. What they're telling you usually hurts God just as much or more that what you do in your daily life, what people like that try to "convert" you from. Anyone trying to "Preach" to you that way hasn't got a clue about Christianity, There's a Difference between religion and Faith. Some people consider Christianity a religion, while true believers know it is more than that.

If someone says "IF YOU DON'T BELIVE YOUR GOING TO HELL!" I tend not to take them into account. Everyone has a different oppinion that they are free to express (for the most part, I don't think we have anyone that lives in a country that executes for religion, and I strongly hope not.) So if you don't want to be christian, no one can stop you. People ministering only works on people who want to listen. These types of people, I think, should not minister out in the open, but ask people to join them in a gathering where everyone is interested...

And lastly, If someone looks down on someone for not being their religion, that is not how it is supposed to be. I personally think that that is the exact same thing as and should be treated in the same fashion.

[irishdragonlord]

KittyKadaveral said:

You can't seriously believe that only Christians are going to be in a Heaven or something. Does this mean that all the ancient Egyptians, Aboriginies (don't know the spelling) Aztecs, Incas, Native Americans, Africans, ancient Greeks, cavemen (sorry had to put that) are all burning in the firey pits of Hades?

They won't.

Curse my memory, but it's somewhere in the Bible - "They will be judged according to what has been revealed to them".

If you NEVER hear about Christ, God won't hold that against you. Heck, think of the kids who die before age 3! Or mentally dumb people who can't tell right from wrong! They don't know better so God doesn't hold it against them. SAme for those who never hear about Him.

Also, I can't stand extremists. Even the Bible doesnt say go and shove hellfire warnings down peoples throats! Just "preach the Good News!" Not - "Scream Hell-Sinner!" or "Force religion!" What good is forced religion if you don't really believe in it? And all you're doing by screaming "REPENT EVIL HELLSPAWN!" is scaring people away.

Again - if they dont wanna listen, dont make 'em.

God isn't as judmental as some make him out to be

[althechia]

For me, the most lovable Christians are the quakers. At least, the quakers in Minnesota.

They are the most tolerant Christians I will probably ever know. They even have an atheist group in them, which my dad, a buddhist, attends. I went to their 'church' a couple of times with my father. Once, to hear a modern piano concert, and another time to listen to a discussion in the atheist group. I often see yoga classes in the other room. And they're STILL technically Christian.

Another good experience I've had with Christians is when my family went to a Catholic church to help them serve soup on Thanksgiving. They were just the nicest people. They even offered us cookies everywhere. Not one word about God was spoken that day. We just basked in human kindness.

And then, there's the Christians that bashed in our car windows for having Gay Pride stickers on the bumper. And the ones that openly assault my sister for being a lesbian, or pro-choice, or half-Japanese, or basically just for being who she is. Yeah, that made us JUMP to convert to Christianity right away.

I say, when religion is as open and non-preachy as the Quakers, it's really easy to share with evil heathens like me and my family. We can appreciate it, even if we don't convert.