Why are there still Christians that are trying to convert Native Americans? Do white Christians not teach their children acceptance? History? I have taught my children, as my parents taught me, to accept and love others for their differences and to never force our beliefs on others. I answer questions if asked but I never subject others to my beliefs.
Thank you for helping me to understand!
Siksika Blackfoot of the Blackfeet Nation Mother, Wife and believer in peace!
2007-04-30 05:34:06 · 20 answers · asked by ? 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Perhaps I was not clear enough. I do not speak of those Christians that keep the doors of their churches open if I choose to come in. I speak of those that would tell my children that that they will burn in hell for not believing in your "Gods" word. Those that tell me and my family that we must go against thousands of years of our history and beliefs or we shall suffer a terrible fate.
Do you truly expect me to believe that all of my ancestors went to your hell because your people had not come and "Saved" us yet? That is a ridiculous idea.
Your God did not create me or my people. The Great Spirit did.
Why not keep your "Salvation" for those that would choose it and respect me simply for being a kind and decent child of the earth! Allow me my beliefs without judgement! I am not your to judge. I could never follow a "God" that would tell people to go out and strike fear and nightmares in children to gain more believers. I do not fear our differences nor do I argue them. Why do you?
2007-04-30 06:09:26 · update #1
Unfortunately hon'. Alot of Christians use their religion for a soap box. The truth is your aboslutely right Christ's message is one of love and acceptance of all people. We are supposed to be loving and accepting. We are not supposed to be angry, brow beating, scary, forceful people. After all we're all the same to God. A sin is a sin no matter who you are. We've all done wrong actions before but, we are no better than anyone else. It is not our place to judge each other Christs himself said his greatest teachings were to Love God then Love each other. Christ always delivered hs message with love, mercy, and compassion, but he was not affraid to stand up for principle when right was right. If asked a question he would respond in turn. But he never forced his beliefs on anyone. I believethe truth is that God loves us all so much that he sent him to earth to pay the price for our sins. So he could have company in heaven. He gave us free will because Love is not love if it is given out of obligation or out of force. It is given in kind by choice. One must choose to accept love and inturn to give it back other wise it is not the kind of love described it 1 corinthians chapter 13. I personally believe that we should all aspire to.
2007-04-30 05:54:15 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
In preaching the Gospel, anyone can be a recipient of the Christian message. We all have the freedom (or should have) to choose our own beliefs. All man (and women) should have the privilege to believe how and what they may.
No one, however, should force their beliefs on another. It should be a personal matter of preference and choice. And that choice should be available to all man, no matter where they live or what their traditions are.
Preaching a message does not suggest that one does not love or respect others, particularly if done with respect and by non force. Since when is sharing information a sign of a lack of love?
2007-04-30 12:39:51 · answer #2 · answered by Kerry 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
As a native american, Creek tribe, and a pentecostal Christian, I don't think it's a race thing. I believe it's just a "witnessing for the Lord" thing. We are tought to accept and love others for their differences and no one should ever "force" their beliefs on anyone. I answer questions of any kind and try to help people understand my belief but I don't try to force my beliefs on anyone. I'm sorry someone has made you feel that way. As i've stated previously in Y/A it's those type of Christians that give us that aren't that way a bad name. Please don't judge all Christians on the actions of a few.
2007-04-30 12:38:56 · answer #3 · answered by lisaandpathailey 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
As a christian we are often taught to what we call "witness" much the same way as the Jehovah's Witness do. That is to spread the word, often times though we go to far, personally, and i don't know if this is right or wrong, I tend to talk to people that want to hear or talk, and I try to never judge if they end the conversation abruptly. There are many ways to believe, I believe in God and that his only son is the Messiah Jesus Christ, that's my faith, I don't argue it or judge anyone any differently if they don't believe the way i do. Unfortunately I believe the same way that some of the other people responding here do, that sometimes we (as Christians) take our "witnessing" to far and begin to press other people to believe as we do. In the end I look to the "golden rule" as what my standards are and try to live by them, as I hope all people do.
Good luck in your search for the right answer, and please don't hold other peoples views against them, christian or not, as they only want you to feel the same feelings of love as they do.
2007-04-30 12:56:44 · answer #4 · answered by Sandman 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
You are a child of God in that God created you. But, your name will be erased from the Book of Life and you will perish if you don't accept Jesus Christ as your Savior.
Those are the facts. There may come a day, when you stand before God, that you will be glad someone was "politically incorrect" with you.
May the Holy Spirit guide you.
2007-04-30 12:42:23 · answer #5 · answered by me m 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Why? this is the reason why.
Mat 28:19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Mat 28:20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
2007-04-30 12:38:15 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
Teach them acceptance, then watch them go to Hell? I don't think so. People evangelize to Native Americans because God loves them and wants them to be saved.
Imagine that you're on the Titanic, and only one of the lifeboats is seaworthy - all the rest have holes in them. You see people getting on the other boats. Should you warn them that if they get on those boats, they're going to die, and they need to get onto this boat, or should you "be accepting" of their choice of boats and just let them die?
2007-04-30 12:39:42 · answer #7 · answered by FUNdie 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Telling someone about Christ isn't exactly forcing their beliefs on them. A Christian's job isn't to convert anyone, it's just to spread the gospel.
2007-04-30 12:40:06 · answer #8 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Christ died for ALL......Christians believe that if ANYONE dies without Christ they will spend eternity separated from the Father....if someone truly believes this, how can there be any compromise??.....it should be done lovingly...it shouldn't be nasty in your face....BUT...if you truly love someone and don't want them to be lost for eternity how can you NOT tell them about Jesus???....for most Christians its out of love that they do this....I know that there are some who are witnessing for the wrong reasons, but most are doing it out of love....how about you??...have you at least read the bible??...if not try reading the Gospel of John....and I'm saying this in love...please believe me.
2007-04-30 12:42:56 · answer #9 · answered by TNT 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It is a Christians "duty" to reveal Christ to the world. By same
due respects, I personally see many similarities in much that
I have read in the American Indian culture. Perhaps the
beliefs/culture are not so far apart.
2007-04-30 13:10:27 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋