Why is it that a lot of christians preach about God in a beautiful light but then other christians preach about God in a westboro church sort of way? Wouldnt the christians who preach about God in a beautiful way gather more people into becoming christians then the ones who preach about God in a hateful way? Just curious, no insults please.
2007-01-23 00:32:30 · 12 answers · asked by daisy322_98 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Well, here's an atheist's point of view on this. There are various types of Christianity, from the very liberal to the fanatic. The fanatic versions of it are really supported by the slightly less fanatic versions of it. They say, "Well, they're a bit exuberant, but at least they're Christians". Those slightly less fanatic are supported by those even less fanatic. It's a whole support structure that, while it may not tacitly approve of the actions of others feel, "At least they're Christians".
Sam Harris explains this well in this book, "The End of Faith"
2007-01-23 00:35:55 · answer #1 · answered by nondescript 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have no idea what you mean by a Westboro church way of preaching- but I think I can answer this question anyway.
Truth is truth- there is an absolute truth- today is a day of relative truth- Preaching God in a beautiful way- do you mean preaching the love of God without repentance? The whole truth must be preached. God is love- absolutely- but He is also a just God. We live in a time where churches are watering down the truth, to make everyone think that God loves us and would never send us to hell. Love and justice goes together. His love is great- sending Jesus to die for our sins, is amazing and wonderful, Salvation is free but His grace is not cheap= so that means we must turn from our sinful ways and follow Him. I am not wanting to insult you. The truth of scripture needs to be told-The whole truth.
2007-01-23 11:15:41 · answer #2 · answered by AdoreHim 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't really understand what you mean, by preaching about God in a hateful way. Under no circumstances do I agree with the activities of Westboro, and similar activities from other churches. But, they are very extreme. You do not see people and churches that are that extreme too often. Mostly, it is the same few groups that continue to cause trouble. As far as preaching about God in a hateful way, I have never heard a CHRISTIAN do that. Now I do not agree with sugar coating the message either. I mean, you can choose every single sweet sappy verse in the bible to tell people, but if you do not tell them the truth about accepting Christ, if you do not tell them the fate of those that do not accept, if you do not show them what it says about Jesus and how to accept Him, then you have not done an effective job at witnessing.
2007-01-23 08:43:49 · answer #3 · answered by Kat 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure what a "westboro" way is but the truth be told we are not supposed to put any spin on who God is. There are many things about God that are difficult to accept and we should in no wise try and make Him more popular to try and get people to accept Him. You don't become a Christian because you think it is a nice religion or you think its a better option than another religion or even because your family is Christian...you become a Christian because you see that your sins need to be forgiven and you see that Christ has died for that forgiveness. We either accept Christ's claims about Himself or we don't. The gospel should never be altered to try and make it more palatable. Gospel mean good news, but it is not good news to those who refuse it, to them it becomes a stench. It is good news to those of us who desired to be forgiven and have a relationship with the Almighty God. From the other posts I am getting the feeling that there is a "westboro" church somewhere, I dont know who they are or what they believe..Milly has stated it well.
2007-01-23 08:38:47 · answer #4 · answered by james p 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We are supposed to do as Jesus and the aposltes taught. Very few do that. Many "christians" don't even know what the gospel is. When you ask, they stammer around. It's defined in I Corinthians 15. Verses 1,2,&3 set up that he is going to tell you what the gospel is, vs 4 tells you. Jesus came preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God. When he came back from ressurection, he told them to go into all the world and preach...most preachers stop there. The verse continues. the gospel to every creature. You can't preach the gospel if you don't even know what it is. Just as faith is defined in Hebrews 11:1, and Love in I Corinthians 13, the Gospel is defined in I Corinthians 15:1-4. We are all to teach the same things. Someone is wrong according to that and the fact that you see there are different things being preached. Stick to the Bible. We are to use our Bible and prayer to know if it is of God. Who is being exaulted? God is the only one who should be exaulted with Jesus. Remember that Jesus called the religious leaders a generation of vipers! He also sat down, made a whip, and then drove out the merchandizers and money exchangers from the temple. Sometimes what God wants said or done is rude and cruel in our minds. God is just. We, being imperfect, have trouble seeing a just God letting people die. It's all according to His plan. Just accept it and learn to trust in, rely on, and adhere to(believe in) the gospel.
2007-01-23 08:56:21 · answer #5 · answered by gigglings 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that most people today have created their own personal God. They don't look to the real God for answers, they create their own God who is whatever they want him to be. Some people like to think that is is sweet and nice all the time and never is disappointed in us or frustrated. Other people like to think that he is always angry and never nice. The truth is that God is a mix of the two. He is gentle and loving, but He also knows how to discipline us. BTW, having a church is not about getting more people to come. Churches should want for people to become Christians, not want to enlarge their church so that they can get more tithes every month.
2007-01-23 08:41:27 · answer #6 · answered by Milly 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Friend, God is a GoD of Love, & he gives everyone he have to repent, But also God is a God of Judgement, Where he will judge everyone, & then God is a God of WRATH, You have so many Young Christians that has a zealous about the, that one day they get savation & the next day they are ready to tell the world what to do, That is wrong, we have to grow into he knowlege of God' words. I have been a Christian for 37 yr. & I am still learning, But I knod more about those on 2 yr. olds AS far as salvation
2007-01-23 08:45:17 · answer #7 · answered by birdsflies 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with most of the above. God is love - we've all heard that a hundred times. God DOES hate sin tho - and He cannot tolerate willful sinning. Once you understand His plan for your life but continue in sin - He can't bless that. Still, that doesn't make Him 'hateful' - what's westboro anyway?
2007-01-23 09:12:24 · answer #8 · answered by bscook23 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not a case of gathering more converts to Christianity-that isn't going to happen but it would lessen the hostility that non-believers sometimes exhibit towards Christianity. Christianity in general isn't a problem but intolerant and arrogant evangelicals are a problem.
2007-01-23 08:40:12 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I completely agree with you. However, I've always believed that God speaks to different people in ways that make sense to them. I suppose that's why there are so many different religions. I personally believe God is love and commands us to love (not hate) one another.
2007-01-23 08:51:15 · answer #10 · answered by dmb 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋