If you and I were both trapped in a burning building?

Question

and I knew the only certain escape route, would it be wrong for me to get myself out without telling you the way?
*This question is particularly directed to non-Christians, who say they don't understand why Christians "preach" at them. Because, to us, the analogy is accurate.

Ten points to anyone who can tell me where I wrote anything about "forcing" or compelling.

Answer 1

...I see the analogy. I had to think about it for a second, but that's a good one =)

But it also has to be considered that you can tell people what you believe to be in their best interests all the live-long-day, even if it could save their lives; but if people aren't open to hearing you out or are even interested in "being saved" when they don't believe they need saving, then it's almost equivalent for it to be falling on deaf ears.

That being said, it would be pretty messed up to not at least try and help out others if you knew you could do something about it.

_________ ___ __ _

Edit: And for those who say "we don't want your escape route" or something along those lines...then that's totally okay too; the girl's just trying to give you some insight as to how she sees the situation. It wasn't an invitation to insult.

Answer 2

The question would be: How do you "Know" that the route is the only certain escape?

Dearie, it's not being preached at that most of us object to, it's the being preached at, over and over and over, even after we have said "Thanks, but no thanks"

Atheist could make the same analogy that you did, as could Muslims, Jews, Hindi, Buddhists and Pagans.

I think the time has come for most of y'all proselytizing Christians to "......................... Shake the dust from your sandals .................."

I do believe the person you say you follow gave instructions on how the word was to be spread, right?

Answer 3

no, i would assume that you are small and weak, and must rely on a pre defined path and follow explicit instructions to find your way out. meanwhile a large strong person like myself would take responsibility for my own life and Make a way out.

I like this analogy, it shows that you see the world as a burning building and can see only one possible way out, the fire escape.
the fire escape is there to guide you to safety in the event of a fire. however it becomes your crutch because to get uut you MUST use that specific path.

Myself (a Pagan) can see the world as a burning building, but where you see only the pre described fire escape. I see several windows, elevator shafts, rain gutters, lightning rods, the possibility of useing a rope or tieing something together to make a rope. hundreds of possibilities for getting out of the burning building...

you need to open your eyes to one possibility..

what if the guy that told you where the fire escape was at. was wrong?

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Amalthea,

from what i have seen most of your Q@A is worded nicely and such.
This question however is worded in a very typical Christian way.
when you say that you know the only way out, you imply that every other religion on the planet is wrong. this is where it starts to sound pushy. and most people's tolerance of Christians ends at "slightly pushy". this is because of the massive ammount of slightly pusy people that we try to be nice to that become very pushy and even go into forceful if you do not conform to their beliefs.

Answer 4

How dare you IMPOSE and FORCE your escape route on me!

What even makes you think the building is on fire? (denying sin&hell)

Youre just fabricating this fire I see around me deep down because you want me to go to a part of the building that isnt as fun as the one Im in now! (giving up sinful life)

You claim to have the ONLY escape route? How dare you! (claiming to know the truth)

Besides even if there WAS an escape route, why was it never shared with me? (claiming no proof in God)

Where is your proof that your route in fact leads to safety? (denying Gods truth)

In barely glancing at your escape route, I notice you arent even going the right way! (misinterpreting the Bible and claiming hypocrisy)

There is no way out of the building! (God is unknowable)

You dreamed up this fire and escape route so you can have something to believe in. (religion is a crutch)

Boy their dumb excuses dont really make sense in the real world do they? lol

Answer 5

No, the analogy is not accurate. Its just stupid. Its just an excuse for you to preach. And it could be turned around the other way. Since God doesn't exist, aren't atheists trying to save you from a life time of mental anguish because you erroneously think you are sinning every time you have a little fun or do something to be proud of and losing your money to a false church

Answer 6

If I knew that you were misinformed about the escape route, that it was not the way out but just a fictitious map created by angry men, would you want me to tell you the way out, that I knew from exploring the building?
So sad, if you think this amazing life we have is akin to being trapped in a burning building.

Answer 7

Yeah it would be wrong for you to not help me got out of the burning building. But the way I see it I'm already outside the burning buildings and Christians are trying to get me to go back in.

Answer 8

If you and I were trapped in a burning building and you knew the way out, of course I would want you to tell me, but it would be my choice to follow that way or not.

Answer 9

Well while you are trying to make your way down a fiery hallway to get to the front door, I'll be breaking the window.

You analogy is not at all accurate because in reality there is no fire.

Answer 10

If God rewards and punishes people based on their belief in him instead of their actions in life, then God is a sadistic, egotistical, selfish, irrational, immoral bastard. Why would you want to worship such a being?

I've heard all about your "escape route," but the place it leads is even worse than the burning building. I want no part of it.