Fellow Christians Could we stop?

Question

Trying to preach to other people to convince them to read the Bible or to stop being gay or they'll go to hell. I don't like being hated & so many people hate us because a few are preachers who quote the Bible. I respect everyones beliefs but I just don't want athiests or gays or any other group to hate us for the actions of others who share our beliefs. What do you think?

Answer 1

You are a christian that I like. Thanks for your attitude.

Keep preachin' it to the preachers.

Answer 2

Christians have always been persecuted. it is to be expected...there are several references in the Holy Bible warning us to expect and withstand it.

there are multitudes of people in communist regimes who risk there lives to be christian as it means death to be exposed. we in the "free world" are so lucky to have choice.

as for the life styles of choice. well let's see. there is the bible and its teachings that, more or less, was a guide to good living for centuries. i know that when i was young (when you fell off your dinosaur) the bible/church seemed to have a lot of influence into the home and family.

then there is worldly law. the first thing i learnt about law is that it isn't necessarily justice, it's how it's interpreted at the time. many precedents are created in our law courts. this is how so many things are granted tolerance in our modern society.

the fine line between the sublime and the ridiculous tends to get more and more obscured as time passes. the bible itself tells us that we must obey the law be it spiritual or worldly. i think that if you just coexist with rather than indulge in some aspects of worldly laws and live your life as best you can like Jesus would....that might be the ticket however difficult.

as for preaching and trying to dictate peoples' lives.
Jesus said that he came for the sinner not the righteous. he likened it to somebody who is well not needing a doctor whereas one who is ill does.

i can't help but wonder why so many would risk there very lives to be christian. that being so begs the question what is so wrong with being a christian?!

Answer 3

As a believer who has a high regard for the Word of God, i believe it is important to stand up for the Truth, and the Bible tells us that persecutions will come our way. It cannot be avoided. Jesus was by no means a "people pleaser" and if we are to follow the footsteps of Jesus, then we should not try to be either. Jesus made people confront their sins so that ultimately it will lead to repentance.

At the same time, I agree that the gospel must be preached out of love for others and not out of self-righteousness and pride. The bible says, "there is a way that seems right to a mean but its end is the way of death" and i think we need to proclaim this boldly.

Answer 4

My friend, this is like asking a doctor to stop treating people because some have complained that the treatment hurt them. It does not matter that they would die if they did not get the treatment but to keep them from a little bit of pain, we will let them die comfortably. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:11

Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

I am also called to be a watchman on the wall. to sound an alarm when danger is near. I am doing that when I proclaim that the only thing that will satisfy is JESUS..but you would have told the watchman to stop sounding the alarm as people were trying to sleep...guess it is better to be awoken by an enemy with a sword at your throat?

My friend, Jesus said that people will hate us for HIS name sake. Just because we belong to HIM, some will hate us. We would not need to say anything.

I am not here to win a popularity contest nor to earn a bunch of points from Yahoo. I am here to help some find the peace that only a right relationship with Jesus can bring. It works my friend. I just got off the phone with someone I have been talking to for a few months..someone that was afraid of the dark so he called me tonight (at 3 AM) to ask me about it. I told him that that darkeness could be turned to light and he would never have to be alone again. He did place his trust in Jesus...and his immediate reaction was..why did I fight you so long on doing this. He did find the peace he was looking for.

I do agree with you however, that some Christians will drive more away from the LORD then will ever find HIM and I believe more of these "self righteous" types hate me more then the gays or atheist because as a pastor, part of my job is to teach Christians how to LIVE for the LORD before then open their mouth. It is not a good idea to tell someone they are going to hell the moment we meet them. There are far better ways then that...and I am willing to help others learn how to do this.

As the founder of a group called Shattered Men, I have had many come to me expressing that they hated me and all I did but by accepting them as they were...they realized that someone did care about them. Too often many come on strong to cause us to back off. Many have been hurt by those who claim to be Chrisitans or have out right been abused and they will do things to force us away before we reject them also. The 2nd link tells more about rejection.

The bottom line is that for us to expect anyone to listen to us...we have to let them know we are not condeming them...we can not cast stones...but we have to speak the truth..but we have to do it in LOVE...to let people know we honestly care about THEM!

Answer 5

AMEN I recently have come to feel this same way.

I came in here fighting and pushing, and had no peace. The Holy spirit convicted my heart.

Now i offer my opinion, make sure I state that is is just that, a personal opinion and have forced nothing. The Bible does call us to evangelize, but I feel that could mean just being here to answer questions that are sincere to the newer or non Christian.

We are here on earth to excercise Love and practice the ways of the Lord as best we can, not force our agenda.

Thank you for that challenge, sister, BLess your heart

David

Answer 6

I agree, this goes both way. Not just for the Christians. But for those who are bashing the Christians as well. So I say instead of bashing what we don't believe in the other religion ask with out insulting or bashing the person or religion or putdowns and I think this board can be a happier place.

Answer 7

I'm a hindu. i proud to be a hindu and indian. we have no problems with reading bible or qur'aan. our religion does not prohibit us from knowning about another. we do not worship god because it is mentioned in holybooks. that is the wrong thing to do.

hindus are the most tolerant of religious beliefs. if any christian or muslim willing for a debate i am willing for that. the purpose of debate should be for knowing and sharing ones experiences.

suppose, if i insist that you to read hindu scriptures, what will be your reaction? definitely you will reject my suggestion and ask me to leave. that reaction is correct on your part. people do not seem to understand this psychology of people. they think persistence in the wrong way is right. there are people who do not want to do anything with religion, for them it is waste of time. they may not be athiests.

i'm a hindu, i'm a non-believer, an athiest. but in hindu society it makes no difference whether you believe in god or not. for hindus to be a good human being is the most important thing.

also quoting scriptures to prove ones point is the weakest argument position. that shows one does not know what he is talking or want to achieve.

let me conclude with this. more than a hindu, christina, jew, muslim or budhist we are all human beings. each chooses thier own way to reach the god and happiness in life.

"Loka samastha sukhino bhavanthu".

Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti.

Raja Krsnan
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Answer 8

Well, I am an Atheist but I don't hate Christians (mostly just feel sorry for them and think they are horribly deluded). However if you are hoping to gain converts, I think that you are right on track to discourage people from reading the Bible! I became an Atheist when I started rereading the Bible...

Answer 9

Amen to that..... some of us are so easily provoked to get out of our place and preach to people who do not receive it, and obviously do not want to God said blow the trumpet once not in every answer.... and no one has the right to condemn anyone to hell.

Answer 10

We don't hate you. I know that most Christian's aren't atheist hating homophobes.I know a lot of Christians that are better people than I could ever hope to become. Don't sweat it.

Ted Haggard is an easy target because of his hypocrisy.

Answer 11

I am not christian myself

but i do accept everyone an there beliefs as much as possible and try to keep all my consent out of answering and only use fact...

and isn't accepting everyone a christian value?

Blessed Be
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