Why must religious fanatics constantly tell us to convert, to believe in God/Jesus etc etc. Do you think that I or other non believers are miserable? You can't blame us for thinking that *some* of you are brainwashed when all us non believers ever hear is "Jesus will save you" "Look to God for help" yada yada yada.
I have many religious friends and NOT ONCE have any of them tried to "make me see the way". What makes you think that I / we will listen to a STRANGER tell us what to believe in?? Who do you think you are? Do you guys have a tally card to see who has converted the most? You think God will pay attention to that... Doesn't he "teach" accept others for who they are????
Ever wonder that when you bite the dust - and (if) God exist - he asks you "Why on Earth were you forcing your beliefs on others when all I wanted was for you to love and accept one another for who they are!"
((I'm not attacking I'm just rather fed up with this Mightier-Than-Thou attidude))
2006-08-23 07:00:46 · 40 answers · asked by ηιgнт ѕтαя 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
You can't say Jesus loves me! - Because according to you; I'm going to hell cause I didn't believe in him. Nice show of love right there.
2006-08-23 08:45:32 · update #1
You are "compelled"?!?! I am compelled to buy chocolate when I'm PMSing. No one asked for saving! They want you to spread the word of "God" cause they are losing strength and are scared.
You guys are in a power struggle over religion and she is right - wars are mostly over religion. And I have religious friends as well and they ARE true Christians and true friends, but they RESPECT me and what I believe in.
Imagine a world without religion - no problems, and no arguing over something petty like this.
2006-08-23 07:26:53 · answer #1 · answered by Morning Star 2 · 2⤊ 3⤋
I am sorry that you are running into a Mightier than Thou attitude. The truth is we have Christians of all different levels. And Christians who say they are Christians but have not changed a bit since the day that they accepted the Lord. We have those who judge others and those who for whatever reason try to "MAKE you see the way". Truth is, I am a Christian. I love the Lord and I am proud of it. I share about Him and what He is doing in my life. If I have something which I KINOW is so fantastic that I want to share it with others - there is nothing wrong with that. There could however be something wrong with the way that I share about Him. Kinda like say I give you a gift of a new shirt, but in passing it to you I say something along the lines of "I knew that you needed a new shirt because all of yours are kinda short and a little low. You hang out all over. Plus, you have a horrible sense of color for yourself." Well I have just destroyed all of the joy in the gift I am trying to give you. What I have forgotten ( or just didn't say ) is "I was shopping in store after store because I just wanted to give you the greatest gift that I could. I wanted something in the perfect color and style just for you. Something that when you put it on - people will stop and look at you because there is something fresh and new about you. They are just not sure what it is. Something which will make you glow from the joy that it gives you - because it is just for you." Jesus is that shirt.He is so wonderful and He fits you through and through. You don't change to make Him fit you. However you do change because of your joy in the gift.
2006-08-23 08:26:32 · answer #2 · answered by cjmd6225 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hmmm. I understand what you're saying, I've said it, too. I don't go around proselytizing but I do have something that I wish others had. It's not a matter of brainwashing, it's a matter of faith.
I do believe that God pays attention to whether or not we Christians share the Good News. Personally I'm not hassling my friends about their faith or lack thereof. If it comes up it comes up. I don't know how God will judge me on that, but I wouldn't want to turn anyone away because I'm not so eloquent. I'm really sorry you've been hurt by Christians
But I do NOT believe that Jesus teaches us to just love and accept everyone for who they are. We all are sinners. Yes, He came to love us and became a sacrifice for all people if we would believe. But we are supposed to turn from sin. That's not easy. Believing in Jesus doesn't automatically make you some awesomely perfect person. It is hard work to turn from sin and He knows that-- it's the whole reason He came. But I can assure you that He hates sin. You know, if you read the Bible you would probably understand His teachings better.
2006-08-23 07:23:15 · answer #3 · answered by momai 2 · 2⤊ 3⤋
The bible tells Christians (see Matthew 28:18-20 in source information, below) to make disciples of all nations. You didn't mention if your religious friends were Christians, so they might not fall into this directive from Jesus Christ. Keep in mind: everyone is a sinner, and no one is righteous except through Jesus Christ (see Romans 3:19-26).
As for the tally card, I suppose there are some people who might think that way. Evangelism brings glory to God, it should not be used to inflate the evangelist's self-worth (see 2 Corinthians 10:17).
As for the mightier-than-thou attitude, I try (and perhaps often fail) to not have this attitude. God, however, is mightier than us all. Please try to see past the faults of the people approaching you (including me) and find what they are trying to show you: Jesus Christ.
By the way, the bible identifies that God wants more than "for you to love and accept one another for who they are." God asks for this love to be in His name, through faith and belief in his son, Jesus Christ (for example, see Galatians 5:6). Consider: what is love without acknowledging that love is defined by God through Jesus Christ.
Thanks for clarifying that you're not attacking. Please continue to ask questions. Maybe you could look to the bible for the answers (see John 17:17) - you'll get information that is far more reliable than what I could ever write.
2006-08-23 07:43:53 · answer #4 · answered by In God I Trust (a.k.a. infohog) 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I am sorry if you have been chased down and beaten over the head with a Bible. However, in defense of Christians, I must say that it usually comes from a pure motive even if the avenue they choose is misguided. I am one of those 'born again believers' and I see it like this:
Imagine standing on the side of the road with cars whizzing by. Now you KNOW the bridge is out just over the ridge and anyone who goes flying by will crash into the river below and surely die. What do you do? Do you try to flag people down and warn them? Or do you just let them go to their certain doom?
Christianity is and always has been a voluntary thing. You can choose to serve God or not. Those who try to coerce you into believing are wrong for doing so and are contradicting the teachings of the bible on the subject. However all Christians are (or should) be drawn to tell others the good news contained in the Bible.
If you choose not to believe and serve God then I am still bound to love you as my neighbor. And I assure you that Christians should not approach you with a mightier than thou or holier than thou attitude. I see it as more of a sharing of life altering information that changed the course of my life for the better. I tend to tell people about my atrocious past and give glory to God for changing what seemed to be a hopeless situation.
2006-08-23 07:16:17 · answer #5 · answered by luckyme 4 · 5⤊ 3⤋
I totally feel what you're saying. I can't believe people haven't questioned religion more after knowing how it has affected history and how it has enstated such hate towards different groups across the world. In your right mind, how can anyone support a religous ideology that belittles and discriminates against other groups of thought, scientists, homosexuals, races and WOMEN (and much much more)! I certainly will never back up a thought regime like that. Let's consider a few huge "guidelines" that different religions are supposed to teach: Don't kill, Don't lie, Don't commit adultery, Accept others whole heartedly (this means that you shouldnt tell people they're going to hell because they're not muslim or christian)...dont use the Lord's name in vain - as if people follow that one. Looking at the past, has any religion followed these rules? NEVER! Not even in this day in age do they abide by them. It's time people got the hint and started making educated descisions instead of blindly pressuring others, especially in such a negative way. Keep the faith by all means, but use your brain too!
2006-08-23 07:15:45 · answer #6 · answered by Nehyers 2 · 2⤊ 5⤋
I have a convert strong faith in God and i have never i hope tried to shove religion or God on people, I have though shared what and how he changed my life, If you try to convert by judging and tell them there every sin you will not win, But if you live by what he did for you .Well sometimes the only Bible people read is ones life.
2006-08-23 07:09:04 · answer #7 · answered by tr2thhrt 5 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Pardon the heck out of me for caring! But we as Christians are commissioned by God's Word to "Go ye out into the highways and hedges and compel them to come in". Notice, it says "compel". Not beg, plead, and browbeat, but witness and teach. I agree that those who come against you with an attitude virtually screams that they think they're better than you and it's a huge turnoff. As for "love and acceptance" being all that Jesus wants from us, you're sadly mistaken. If that's the case, then the entire second chapter of Acts was a waste of breath! The Scripture says, "Men and brethren, WHAT MUST WE DO TO BE SAVED"? It doesn't say love and accept Him, it says, "Then Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Our moral view of serving God is not enough....
2006-08-23 07:12:27 · answer #8 · answered by bigvol662004 6 · 3⤊ 2⤋
God teaches us to love people how they are..but we don't have to accept the sin..but we are to love the person..no matter what.
I don't believe in forcing my beliefs on anyone..And I don't feel mightier than anyone else...pride is not a good thing in the eyes of God.
I do believe that when others force it, it just drives others away..and that's sad. I guess some are so happy, they just want others to feel what they feel.
2006-08-23 07:06:36 · answer #9 · answered by Judah's voice 5 · 3⤊ 2⤋
As be livers we are to tell you about salvation, we do not shove
you our believes. our commandment is to preach the truth to all the nations.(mattew 28:19 "make disciples of all nations"). if
your religious friend haven't tell you about salvation, there are going to be judge by God.
As laborers we are instrumental in bringing persons to Christ, but God is responsible for their salvation, if you have time read
( 1Corinthians 3:6). God doesn't say to accept other the way they are, to the contrary he said (do not be mismatched with unbelievers. for what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness? or what fellowship is there between light and darkness?). (2 Corinthians6:14) read more for your self. not all Christians are always right.
May God Bless You.
2006-08-23 07:43:37 · answer #10 · answered by g-man 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋