My personal beliefs aside, it just seems counterproductive to try and convert someone, or to try to argue your point about stuff like this, by insulting people. Whatever you believe, don't you think you might convince a few more people by being a little more open-minded?
2006-07-11 12:02:14 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Convincing people is almost certainly secondary for many to the higher goal of pleasing oneself through venting...
2006-07-11 12:05:44 · answer #1 · answered by snowbaal 5 · 4⤊ 2⤋
I probably have insulted people beyond my knowledge and awareness. I believe what I believe, and by being open-minded, I think it wouldn't make sense to let in other beliefs that I don't believe. I don't want to convince people, I just want to put in my views, hoping they would ponder my beliefs even for a second. Although no one really seems to let them in.
P.S. I'm an atheist.
2006-07-11 19:25:17 · answer #2 · answered by Naked 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When Christians tell non-believers they will "go to Hell", when Christians say they will "pray for your soul" because you don't believe, when Christians say "hate the sin love the sinner", when Christians accuse you of being closed minded because you choose not to believe in their faith, they are tacitly insulting all non-believers.
This kind of behavior will indeed make you a target for abuse. Christian intolerance always comes 1st. Non-believers intolerance of hell-fire Christianity is simple self defense. I don't argue with or have any dislike for good Christians that respect the spiritual privacy of others. However, I despise judgmental, hell-fire Christian fundamentalists in the same way a black man would despise a Klansman.
When the Hell-fires try to play the victim they really aren't fooling anyone. If you don't want to be chastised, then don't indict the rest of the world for not following Christianity. And please don't piss on my leg and tell me it's raining.
2006-07-11 19:20:40 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Speaking as a christian, I used to be all about hell fire and brimstone, and yes those things are true, but I have found that we have to be examples of what we believe. I know Jesus is going to come back and I have the urgency to tell people, but I know from experience that we need tact. But do you really think we are being close minded or firm on what we believe? The Bible tells believers to beware of false prophets and anything that speaks against God.
2006-07-11 19:17:56 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have! I made them feel so stupid that they gave up their beliefs in a single day. Sometimes people only call themselves Christians because that is how they were brought up and all they need is a hard insult to wake them up. If you treat their belief with respect, then you are only sending them the message that their belief is respectable. Would you respect someone who believed in flying pink elephants that breath fire and defecated dandelions? And would you respect them if they tried to push their beliefs in our schools that these are the creatures that start forest fires and create weeds in people's yards?
2006-07-11 19:23:12 · answer #5 · answered by Sleepy Shroom 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
True.
Jesus always listened before He spoke.
While sometimes "offenses" are in the perception of the receiver, we should be discussing the Truth with "heightened senses" to the other person so as to not cause them to "shutdown".
The wise person respects and keeps in mind the other's upbringing, experiences, hurts, and thought processes.
2006-07-11 19:15:22 · answer #6 · answered by montanacowgirlwannabee 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Insults never work. Just planted reasonable doubt. But really if someone is not open to a fun discussion about religion don’t bother.
2006-07-11 19:13:54 · answer #7 · answered by Jack C 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, i did, back when i was an atheist
i didnt quite convinced them of my ideas, but I sure got them off that awful christianity, now im buddhist, and in person i havent had the necessity to insult, i only explain and people just "open their eyes" both literally and figuratively
2006-07-11 22:27:38 · answer #8 · answered by yupi666 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have converted a few that way. The Christians have weak minds, and need tough love.
2006-07-11 19:07:19 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope,but i've never tried to convert someone, i dont think by being nice u can convert someone either. Unless someone wants to convert theyre not gonna no matter what u say to them.
2006-07-11 19:08:23 · answer #10 · answered by bobatemydog 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Never.
A man convinced against his will holds the same opinion still.
2006-07-11 19:04:56 · answer #11 · answered by onelm0 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋