Why do Christians not realize that they break a major biblical commandment by 'witnessing' to non-christians?

Question

I do like addressing this issue but must. Recently two of my older sons have been sought out by a young devoted Christian 'witness' who is proselytizing to them. I was taught and they have been also "to not do something that is offensive to thyself unto others." That is a simple restatement of the Golden Rule, espoused by Judaism and Christianity. Does a Christian in the act of telling another person that what the other beleives is inadequate not understand that this very act causes the other hurt feelings, confusion and elicits anger and enmity? What makes a Christian do this? Most people are taught good mores and standards by their parents and along comes some teenage do gooder or mis-guided adult who decides to judge and correct some else using 'his' great depth of knowledge, mostly flawed. What hypocracy! What an unfeeling attitude to afront another young person, to intimidate them with threats of torment after death. Can a Christian even understand this?

One reason I hated to address this issue is exactly what one stated, namely that it makes me a hypocrite of my own faith. However, the problem with you is so pernicious that it deserves attention. And the nature of your responses betrays that you who have so much knowledge, know so little. I have studied your religion BTW. Do you know that most of the New Testament was written decades to centuries after Jesus and most of the deciples died? Most of the books were edited at various stages by church power brokers to their own viewpoint at various times and are likely all adulterated at this point. Oh ye of great knowledge, know that the rule exist in the Old Testament in several paraphrased utterances, all compiled into this Talmud statement "What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellowman. This is the entire Law; all the rest is commentary."
Talmud, Shabbat 3id
I attempt to live by this, but, understand this, YOU make it very difficult. I will risk this sin, as you do often.

Answer 1

Because its a misinterpretation of the term 'witness'. It means to live your life as someone with Jesus in your heart and to act as one who is in faith (all quite easy yet hard in this modern secular world) This includes answering questions and speaking to those who want to and are ready to hear.

It is interpreted as go shout down everyone else all the time, yell your head off annoy people until they want to punch you and keep on going until you deafen people to any part of the Scriptures as its there own fault they cant hear and Jesus did say you would be persecuted for your beliefs. I'm not sure that he meant bring it down on yourself though.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Actually, that is nowhere in the Bible.
The only thing that even comes CLOSE is where Paul talks about not doing anything that can cause one's brother to stumble in their walk with Christ.
It's wrong to try to bring people to God with threats of hell if they don't repent, but that doesn't mean that that person using hell as a threat doesn't have good intentions.
In the Bible, all future Christians are encouraged to "go forth, and spread the gospel."
That's what I do. I share the good news, and leave the bad out of it if I possibly can.
However, if a person tells me they don't want to hear about it, then I respect them enough to simply tell them I'm here if they ever DO want to talk about it, and let them go on their way.

You're mistaken about the New Testament. It was begun around 45 AD, and completed around 95 AD. Revelations was written in 95 AD. This would mean that all the books were written within 10 to sixty years after Christ's crucifixion and resurrection, not several decades or centuries afterwards.
Also, the Dead Sea Scrolls, which contain portions of the New Testament, proved that there was very little difference between the translation most Christians now read, and the original gospels.

Answer 3

Wow. First of all the statement you base you argument on is not in the Bible. The verse you are getting it from is talking about moral differences between 2 believers.

What makes Christians witness to non-christians? Matthew 28:19- 20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

Also the new Testament was not written centuries after Jesus. The Gospel were all written within one generation of Jesus' death. Mark was one of Jesus' disciples so he was an eye witness to the things that happened while Jesus was here. Luke did a tremendous amount of research before he wrote so that he made sure he had all his facts straight. The Gospels, the rest of the NT and the whole Bible is very reliable!

Answer 4

I'm not certain that I understand what you are saying. Are you saying that your sons are frightened by a story that none of you believe in. Can't your boys dismiss this over zealous teen the same as they would someone telling them the stock market will fall or an earthquake will decimate California.
People, who preach as this child is, don't realize anything other than what they believe. Teach your sons to have pity on them and to ignore them.
Parents often have to help their child understand when the world conflicts with the home. Assure them that they have a lifetime to research and discover for themselves what they choose to believe. Even Jesus said what you bind on earth is bound in heaven. Help your boys over this bump and be assured there will be other bumps down the road.

Answer 5

Read what you just typed. You may want to rewrite that over again. Many words you choose do not fit. You are trying to sound intellectual but it isnt. Lets get down to the nitty gritty of it. Our job as Christians is not to push anything on anyone. We are to tell everyone we can of the Good News. If they are interested we can tell them our testimony and the things that God has done in our lives. We do not try to make anyone believe. You have us confused with Muslims. I dont want anyone burning in hell. So lets go with your good morals and standards. Where did those come from? Hmmm lets see could it be the Bible? Why of course. Lets look at our laws in the United States. How did the founding fathers know what is wrong and right? Could it be the Bible. If your sons are offended by this they dont have to listen. Many dont and they choose the broad path not the narrow road. Im so sick of people on here thinking they have all the answers. All answers are in the Bible. Anything you can question is in the Bible. Try it youll find it true. Peace out....................Tell me the commandment that is being broken? I dont see it.

Answer 6

i guess you still learning old testament
that don't have anything with the new testament
So read Matthew or are you afraid to go any further than the Moses story .Since some ppl feel JESUS didn't come yet and walk the earth .I no the truth and the truth says spread the gospel to everyone whom wants to here it.Read The new Testament Matthew-Revelations

Answer 7

Let's imagine that you are walking down a road. Every so often, a person comes out of their house and warns you, saying"Watch out! There's a vicious dog not far from here that will bite you terribly. Walk down a different road."
And this goes on a number of times, people all come out to warn you about that dog.
But, you keep walking. You're not even sure that there even is a dog, let alone one that might bite.
But there at the end of the road, you do see the dog, and you get bitten, almost ripped to shreds.
You were warned, but didn't listen. You walked as you chose.
Would you turn around and curse the people that tried to warn you? Would that make sense?

Christians warn people about the dangers of not following Jesus Christ. We are supposed to do it from a motive of love and concern. Sadly, too often some of us get pushy, too religious to be any good, downright offensive. My apologies, sincerely.

Like anyone YOU love, wouldn't YOU warn them if you saw them heading into trouble and hurt? I think you would.
Consider, please, not the messenger, but the message.

Answer 8

Christians are to tell others the truth and that's it, it is up to the listener as to whether or not they will accept the truth. Funny how you pick one passage to live by but reject the rest of the books, that is what is called hypocrisy. The sins of the father are passed on to his children unto the fourth and fifth generation, so sad that one would intentionally bring such a curse on their own children.

Answer 9

it does not say in the bible "to not do something that is offensive to thyself unto others" as far as professing our faith. In Romans 10:14-17, this person was doing exactly as the aspotle Paul preached. It is difficult to profess a Christian faith in these times and the person should be commended for being so bold as to talk to this other person.

Answer 10

First, if your sons are confused or are becoming confused by an unhealthy influence, then put a stop to it. You are their parent.

Second, if you're seeing errors taught by this young evangelizer, this might be an opportunity to witness to him. I wouldn't want to stomp the fiery zeal this young person has for Christ (we NEED our young people to be on fire for Jesus), but I would not allow errors to be taught. The truth of Jesus must be defended and preserved.

None of us should ever be afraid of telling the truth. Yes, people will get hurt, angry, confused, etc., but it's like giving them medicine they need. It must be done with love.

"Go therefore and baptize all nations in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." This is our command and call as Christians - to spread the truth of Jesus.

God bless.

Holy Mother, pray for us.