christians, what's with the whole convert or condem approach?

Question

before you get your panties in a twist, this is not an attack, that's your job, i'm just curious. i realize that this is a rather broad statement and not all of you are like this, but i've seen so many vicious attacks on people who don't believe what you want. i understand that you think your god is the best, and that it's your 'duty' to try and make everyone god's little lamb. however it seems as though if you can't convert them then they're horrible and going to hell. someone tell me why?

**note** do not assume anything about me. i have plenty of christian friends that are quite lovely to converse with and rather docile. it seems as though of a few you ruin it for the whole.

*condemn..sorry it's been a long day at work.

i love you jason ;) smartass mofo

most of these are actually excellent answers that were well thought out.

Answer 1

W.W.J.D.

Why
Wont
Jesus
Die ?

Answer 2

I was watching Fox on night recently and saw the type you are talking about....I don't believe that is the norm. The thing is we have guidelines for living a fulfilling life....guidelines that have been proven to be fulfilling. We then see others not living this way and truly feel grieved over it. The problem is then communication and this is not a problem unique to Christians but universal to mankind. It's hard to not get aggressive about it at times when you are speaking the truth in the face of angry naysayers. But we have to speak the truth in love which we often do not. Also, these days it seems that every person has "religious freedom" except Christians which make up the majority of our population and this is extremely aggravating. It's a bleek situation as a whole. We have crazies that get on TV and say our military is going to hell simply because they are fighting for a country that does not serve God anymore. But you also have "Christians" who do not follow what the Bible says or pick and choose what they follow. You also have churches that are segregated by denominations and races which is not what Christ was about. All I can do is pray and speak out when given the opportunity. This is the way Jesus prophesied it would be in the final days before he returned to Earth. Finally, it's not just about converting or condemning as you say. Jesus came to save not condemn. Our job is first and foremost to have a relationship with the King of the Earth (what an honor) and that relationship will be an example to others of His love....not a love that is blind to sin, but a love that forgives sin and changes the heart.

Answer 3

I don't think that "condemnation" is inherent to Christianity, and I have to point out that it certainly isn't limited to Christians. I see a lot of intolerance and abuse by "non-religious" folks of those who are religious at this site.

Jesus himself forgave everyone, prostitutes, Samaritans, doubters, etc. The only time he said anything that could be thought of as a condemnation was when he threw the money dealers out of the Temple and when he criticized the Pharisees for public displays of "religion" or of their piety. (Which is a useful lesson for those who want public prayer in our schools.) Even then, he never went so far as to say they were condemned to Hell forever.

You can read anything into a religion. The Old Testament says its fine for Jews to slaughter their enemies' children: Japanese Buddhists slaughtered the Christian converts; Muslims have their Jihads; and of course we know the sins of Christians against everyone else--as well as against each other. But that doesn't mean they correctly interpret their religions.

A good part of the "convert/condemn" impulse comes from the fact that most people want simple answers to complicated questions, and they also want to be validated. And religion can be use to give them simple answers that make them feel superior to others. This way, they don't have to think or make difficult choices, and they can feel that the way they are living is approved.. This way they don't have to change.

It's also a "power" issue, because if you concede that others have rights equal to yours, you may lose control over your little world to those who think differently.

So much religious thinking is really an attempt to make behavior conventional rather than to focus (in the case of Christians) on what Jesus actually said. So we debate things like how many angels can sit on the head of a pin, or--in the case of Jerry Falwell--how many nuclear missiles we should have compared to the rest of the world, or whether we should assassinate some Latin American dictator. Or whether gays should marry. Whereas Jesus wanted people to focus on their own lives, not on regulating others' lives.

I'm not Jewish or Muslim so I can't speak about them; but as a Christian it seems to me that so many Christians cannot bring themselves to apply to their own lives and conduct what Jesus actually taught.

Answer 4

We have no power to convert or to condemn anyone. Any Christian who thinks they can do this does not understand christianity. God is the almighty Judge, and He looks at people's hearts. All we can do is see what people do on the outside, therefore we cannot judge. The Holy Spirit converts, and we only can tell others about the gospel message, and hope that the Holy Spirit works through their lives. The Bible says that those without Christ are on their way to hell, those who have accepted Christ are on their way to heaven. I'm not judging, that's what the Bible says.

Answer 5

Preaching the reality of hell, without using the Law (10 Commandments) to bring the knowledge of sin, can do a great deal of damage to the cause of the gospel. A sinner cannot conceive of the thought that God would send anyone to hell, as long as he is deceived into thinking that God’s standard of righteousness is the same as his. Paul "reasoned" with Felix regarding righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come (Acts 24:25). This is the righteousness that is of the Law and judgment by the Law. Felix "trembled" because he suddenly understood that his intemperance made him a guilty sinner in the sight of a holy God. The reality of hell suddenly became reasonable to him when the Law was used to bring the knowledge of sin.

Imagine if the police burst into your home, arrested you, and shouted, "You are going away for a long time!" Such conduct would probably leave you bewildered and angry. What they have done seems unreasonable. However, imagine if the law burst into your home and instead told you specifically why you were in trouble: "We have discovered 10,000 marijuana plants growing in your back yard. You are going away for a long time!" At least then you would understand why you are in trouble. Knowledge of the law you have transgressed furnished you with that understanding. It makes judgment reasonable.

Hell-fire preaching without use of the Law to show the sinner why God is angry with him will more than likely leave him bewildered and angry—for what he considers unreasonable punishment.

Answer 6

Oh, I think every situation, every idea, every group, has a "few" who want to muck it up for everybody.

Being a trouble maker isn't new and it isn't unique.

The real question is: why do you pay attention to the few who ruin it for the whole? Why not ignore them and when they have no audience to play to, they'll leave you alone.

Hang around the friends you mentioned who have a healthy faith base, who are lovely to converse with, and rather docile.

Unless, of course, the ones who raise a stink are more attractive to you, and maybe a bit more fun for you? Those who want to argue will always find someone to argue with.

Look into a mirror and you'll find the answer you need.

Answer 7

It's like that with any group of people who are passionate about what they believe. There are loads of atheists on this site that are JUST LIKE the Christians you describe. They're unwilling to hear ANYTHING a person of faith has to say, which to me, shows how incredibly close-minded they truly are.

It's stupid to be hateful to people who aren't Christians on here. For one, it's definitely NOT going to convert them, and two, it gives the rest of us a bad name. Like you said, you have Christian friends who are normal.

On the other hand, if a person believes that Jesus is the only way for salvation, then it stands to reason that they would also believe anyone who doesn't go through Jesus IS going to Hell. That doesn't make them bad people. It just makes them honest in that they don't tap dance around the issue.

Answer 8

I am a Christian and I don't believe in the "convert or condemn" approach. All we can do is share what we believe and leave it up to the person it was shared with to decide if it is for them or not. I would never try to force anybody or condemn anybody for not agreeing with me. That is why we're here, to make choices. I have friends that I have shared my religion with who haven't agreed with me and it did not change a single thing in our friendship.

Answer 9

I understand your frustration, and I thank you fro not painting all of us with a broad brushstroke. Those that take this approach do not realize the extent that they drive people away. Not only from God, but themselves. Jesus taught to love all those that God created without condition. The sad fact is that most who are that adamant are usually struggling with their own issues of faith. They, then, must ake them out on some body.

Answer 10

I don't think that I've ever "condemn"ed anyone for believing differently from me. I have Jewish friends, a Catholic son-in-law, and many acquaintances that have no belief system at all. I think that if you asked them, you will find that I've never rubbed their noses in my salvation. Please don't be so critical about a few, when the many are "just doing their job" and then worrying about your going to Hell. It is a very real possibility.

Answer 11

Many people simply miss the message. When Paul was rejected by a place, he didn't start condemning them. He simply said "I have done what I can, your blood is not on my hands." and left. If more Christians got that message, we would probably have a better image to the world at large.