When Christians proselytize, it's "witnessing". When Atheists do the same, it's "attacking". Why?

Question

Why also is it considered NOBLE for Christians to proselytize, but when unbelievers question another person's faith, it's considered rude?

Answer 1

For the same reason that sexually active men "sowed wild oats" but women were "whores." Doublespeak. Language controls our perceptions of reality and people often can't see the forest for the trees.

Christians have the demographic and cultural advantage so atheists, as well as socalled cults, have the burden of justifying why they are going against common assumptions. In many parts of America people don't ask "Do you go to church?" They ask "What church do you go to?" It's no different from the fact that in America a Hindu has to justify why he doesn't eat beef, while in India an American would have to justify why he does. The fact that atheists are a disliked minority makes them subject to this double standard.

But to be fair, it should be pointed out that Christians have also been accused of "attacking." When the Southern Baptist Convention announced a Jewish evangelism program they were promptly criticized by Jewish group and even some Christians. Franklin Graham's blunt opinions of Islam were widely criticized.

Answer 2

neither is the "greater effective" one because of the fact greater effective might mean that one individual's strikes have been greater ethical than the others. an analogous conventional of morals must be utilized to all and sundry whilst judging who's the greater effective or greater ethical individual. on condition that the two individuals are doing an analogous action, neither of them is a greater effective or greater ethical individual, on condition that 2 of an analogous strikes will each have an analogous point of morality. So neither individual is "greater effective" inspite of ways ethical or immoral the action replaced into, in line with an absolute attitude. in case you incredibly had to argue that one is a greater effective individual although, the atheist could be the greater effective individual. it incredibly is because of the fact the athiest does no longer believe what he's doing is immoral while the christian does. for that reason inspite of no count if or no longer this action or "sin" is incredibly immoral, the christian is willfully doing something they believe to be incorrect. The atheist on the different hand does no longer believe this action to be incorrect and for this reason isn't willfully committing a incorrect or "sin", whether evidently this action is in actuality incorrect. because of the fact the christian willfully and knowingly "sins" and the atheist does no longer, the atheist could be the greater effective individual in line with this state of affairs purely. It gets slightly complicated yet i'm hoping it incredibly is clever :)

Answer 3

A common misconception is that Jehovah's Witnesses go from door-to-door because they feel it is their duty to force a householder to "convert"; this has become the modern definition of 'proselytize' and Jehovah's Witnesses do not do that. In fact, Jehovah's Witnesses would go from door-to-door even if there were no hope that anyone would change their religion, or even if no one would listen to them!

That is because Jesus Christ specifically assigned the house-to-house ministry to the Christian congregation, with no regard for specific results.

(Luke 10:1,2) After these things the Lord designated seventy others and sent them forth by twos in advance of him into every city and place to which he himself was going to come. 2 Then he began to say to them: “The harvest, indeed, is great, but the workers are few. Therefore beg the Master of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.

Jehovah's Witnesses are trained to direct attention to the bible, and move on when their message is unwanted. Since each congregation in the United States tries to call at every home in its territory at least twice each year, there is strong motivation for them to move on where little interest is shown. Also, the Scriptures help the Witnesses to expect little interest from most:

(2 Timothy 4:3-5) For there will be a period of time when they will not put up with the healthful teaching ...and they will turn their ears away from the truth, whereas they will be turned aside to false stories. You, though, keep your senses in all things, suffer evil, do the work of an evangelizer, fully accomplish your ministry.

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/jt/
http://jw-media.org/people/ministry.htm

Answer 4

No true atheist I've ever met has proselytized (the word implies the promotion of a spiritual belief system). But they do issue challenges to faith, which is fine. I'm a Catholic, but have many atheist friends, and their questions lead to good discussions. Proselytizing can be very annoying, because so many people handle it poorly. When presenting one's point of view on any subject, civility counts. I've seen serious lapses of civility on both sides on this website--believers and non-believers alike. I have no problem with thought-provoking questions, but outright slams on my religion are another matter. And I've even answered those politely.

Answer 5

Yes, a definite double standard. There is rudeness and name calling on both sides. I am also guilty of it as well. The fundamentalists just infuriate me. We also witness a lot of Christian "love", don't we.

Still, a lively discussion regarding faith or science can be beneficial for all of us.

Answer 6

What are you selling? That somebody believes impossible things and that therefore they are....lazy? stupid? I think the pitch needs work but Atheists don't spend bupkus on marketing.

Also, it's only considered noble to proselytize within the church. Everywhere else it's annoying.

Answer 7

both can attack, or both can have a logical discussion, if I am making fun of your beliefs, while asking a question it may be considered an attack, if either, a believer or non-believer, is honestly asking a question or sharing views- there should not be a problem, people do not like their minds being changed, or people trying to do so, so they defend before listening, some people are overly defensive because they have experienced people that do not respect their beliefs

Answer 8

There will always be individuals who are bad examples of their groups.
It is not noble for believers to tell others about their faith, it is OBEDIENT. We do it because Jesus said to. If for nobility, we are failing in our mission.
Some atheists are polite, and respectful. Some are mean spirited and rude. I'm sorry if the Christians you have met were like that. Not all are.

Answer 9

Questioning is not rude. Insults or dismissiveness are rude.

People's spiritual beliefs are a very real and important thing to them. It's best to remember this when dealing with them.

Answer 10

It depends what type of question it is.When an atheist talks about their (un)beliefs,it's fine.When they start saying that religious people are brainwashed and illogical,that's what annoys me.Of course,none of us,religous or not,should be rude to each other.