When we (Christians) try to tell ya'll and inform you of the TRUTH about God, how can you say it's forcing? I mean dont get me wrong; I know there are some christians out there that, while they mean good, their method of getting the message across doesnt go over well. But most of what they say is the truth. So how is it forcing if it's the truth?
It's like telling an overweight person he/she needs to lose weight and the person doesnt want to hear about excercise and stuff. Just becuase ya'll dont have faith and have hard hearts doesnt make what we say any less the truth; even if some arent wise in the way they come across. Majority, if not all the time, it's becuase we care;as long as God care about you,then you can gaurantee men and women of God will continue to care.
The question again: forcing or caring? And why?
2006-12-01 14:45:38 · 22 answers · asked by Maurice H 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It looks more like being a noisy. arrogant busy body than caring.
Love and blessings Don
2006-12-01 14:48:54 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 0⤋
It depends on HOW it's done. I'm sure you would not want Pagans constantly telling you that you will end up in Hades if you don't change your ways and start worshipping Zeus. Everyone has their idea about the Truth of spiritual things, but I don't believe any of us can be absolute on the true image of "God"... what I would call The Spirit, since that seems to place it a bit more distant in definition... for me anyway.
Now, an overweight person is NOT going to change if everyday you say "you're overweight/fat/obese... you need to do......." add what YOU think they should do. Just because someone does not believe like you do, does not mean they do not have faith, nor does it mean we have hard hearts. Saying "this is the Truth" doesn't make it absolute either. It doesn't always take wisdom in order to get a point across. Now maybe YOU care, but you can only speak for yourself. You can not speak for anyone else. THIS is why you get many of us generalizing Christians... because of statements like "WE care", then we see someone who does something that is completely without compassion and we wonder "how is that caring?????? they all must be like that, since they all say WE"
Again, it depends on HOW you do this. People need to learn to take others on an individual basis and quit the generalizing. Otherwise we're not going to get anywhere.
2006-12-01 15:37:25 · answer #2 · answered by Kithy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The think is, it's the truth as YOU see it. You could be totally wrong. Why should I trust you? What proof do you have, other than the bible? Would you really walk up to a big girl and tell her she needs to drop a few pounds? If you did that to me, you best duck. Perhaps you see it as caring - I personally see it as an insult. Why? The instant you know I'm an atheist, you have a preconceived notion of how I'm supposed to act, think, and behave. It's intolerance of the worst kind. You tell us over and over that you're very inclusive, as long as we believe exactly what you do. If not, then oh, well, you're gonna burn. Why should you care in the least where I end up? You don't know me. If I don't care, you don't have to do it for me. I don't need a surrogate. The truth is in the eye of the beholder, and I'm sorry, but unless you can prove to me without a shadow of a doubt that your god exists and everything in the bible is the true word of God from his own lips, I'm staying right where I am.
2006-12-01 15:07:23 · answer #3 · answered by ReeRee 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's forcing. I'm sure you feel annoyed when atheists point out the truth to you: That there is no god. THAT is the truth. Deal.
We don't believe. We don't care what you believe, and we don't like the condescending attitude that we're like overweight people stuffing our faces with you trying to get us to exercise. Because apparently not having imaginary friends, and our insistence on taking responsibility for our own actions is dangerous! That's ridiculous and offensive. It's nowhere near the same thing as a health risk.
Now I'll share my view on it as stated by the Rev. James Huber, whose words I respect greatly:
"Religion is Like Wine:
Too much will kill you for sure.
Long before that it makes you stupid, tedious to have around, and a danger to yourself and others.
In moderation it makes many people happy, which is reason enough for it, I guess. Too bad even a little makes some people mean. It just makes me sleepy.
Some claim it has health benefits. Maybe so, but I can't help wondering if grape juice would work as well.
If you enjoy it, and can handle it, go for it. But I won't be joining you, and I'd rather not have to say so twice.
Really, drink up. I'll be happy to have you around until you get annoying. Just remember, if you turn into a loud-mouthed asshole or start a fight, the wine is no excuse.
Finally, if you ever find it's ruining your life, and can't quit by yourself, I'm here to help."
2006-12-01 14:53:17 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Look...you can't rely on a "method" to make it not forced. It's not about how it's told by the believer, it's about the targeted listener, what they wish to hear or not, and respecting their wishes. "Forced" or not comes from their opinion, not yours.
You may feel that you are right, and while that is all good for you, there are other people who believe just as fully that you are not the one that is right. And to talk to others as though they are totally wrong is beyond belittling and insulting when they believe YOU are the one that is wrong. Yet they are probably polite enough not to tell you that to your face.
The TRUTH is... We've all heard about your religion and your beliefs...a million times. At this point, in this society, we know. Enough already. (We've heard it, so any more now is what is "forced.") If we want it, trust me we can find one of you or one of your buildings easily and seek it out ourselves. Every adult deserves at least that much respect in regard to their own lives and being able to make their own choices.
2006-12-01 15:00:11 · answer #5 · answered by Indigo 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
How would you feel if Pagans kept coming up to you and started to tell you that your beliefs were wrong? That what we believe is the only truth. That what you grew up believing in was simply a faery tale. So many times this happens to you. It seems as if you are now a minority and no one seems to be willing to leave you alone. To let you have your own beliefs. They try and try and try to convince you that Paganism is the only true path. After a few years it would get on y our nerves. If you were weak willed you might even start to go with the general population. You may not fully believe in it, but it is easier and they may be right. So now you are being torn from what you truly believe to what everyone else thinks is true. It is not pleasant. That is why most Pagans do not try to convince others that theirs is the only true way, the only true path. We believe that you have the right to your own beliefs as do we.
2006-12-01 14:56:09 · answer #6 · answered by Bridghid 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I'm of the Jewish faith and while for me, my chosen religion is correct it may not be the same for you. What may be the truth for you, may not be for the others. Perhaps it arrogance as to not understand or consider that not everyone can nor will believe in what you do. I'm sure you care, and you mean well, but learn to respect and when someone says no then respect their wishes. It's like the telemarketer whom never gives up. With truth comes respect. I hope you will take this into consideration.
2006-12-01 14:50:36 · answer #7 · answered by Professor Bradley 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Its the way many christians approach, in a forceful and aggressive manner, and not very tactfully to say the least.
See im an atheist,however im very interested in Buddhism,and you know one reason why is because i was able to decide for myself. Nobody has forced it on me. When i see christians preaching on here it just turns me more and more against it as im very much my own person,and like things that i can choose.
Christianity wouldn't suit the personality i am as it would be too restrictive. I believe in freedom of choice.
2006-12-01 15:03:29 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, whether or not it's the "truth" is unproven, I think.
In some circumstances, I can give Christians or other theists the benefit of the doubt when they preach or proselytize or whatever. I can accept that they are doing what they feel is right.
However, once I have made it clear that I don't want to hear it, they have no right to continue on. That IS forcing their beliefs upon me.
2006-12-01 14:49:54 · answer #9 · answered by N 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Maybe it's because ya'll don't seem to be able to discuss TRUTH without thinking that you have it, and we don't. There really is no truth--there is only what we agree on. Or perhaps it's that all too familiar tone of contempt that people who challenge faith receive when discussing truth with the faithful.
2006-12-01 14:56:51 · answer #10 · answered by ? 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
you know what's reallllllyyyyy annoying?
"So how is it forcing if its the truth?"
"Just becuase ya'll dont have faith and have hard hearts doesnt make what we say any less the truth"
I know you THINK its the truth. Thinking something is the truth does not make it the truth in everyone else's eyes.
2006-12-01 14:50:56 · answer #11 · answered by maggielynn 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋