for people that hate being witnessed to?

Question

what about it do you not like and is there a way a christian could witness to you without offending you?

Answer 1

A sincere answer for a sincere question.

For me the central issue is the existence, or non-existence of God. Everything about Christianity depends on resolving this question FIRST. Everything that logically follows from a false assumption is likewise false. If you cannot establish the literal existence of God, then the Bible, Jesus, Heaven, Hell, Christ's Resurrection, and everything else about Christianity is unequivocally false. Because of this logical fact, using the Bible to prove the existence of God amounts to unsubstantiated circular reasoning. What use is the inspired word of a non-existent imaginary deity?

On a personal emotional level, I have found witnesses quoting scripture, especially citing book, chapter, and verse to be EXTREMELY condescending and offensive. The witness may believe the Bible is the inerrant work of God, but I certainly don't! If you can't explain in your own words how it is you are unquestionably certain of God's literal existence, please don't insult my intelligence with quotations from your favorite work of fiction.

Thank you for the opportunity to express my opinion.

Answer 2

I dislike the entire point of it--it's condescending and assumes that the person you've randomly approached 1.) doesn't know anything about religion 2.) really cares about YOUR religion in particular and 3.) doesn't already have a belief system.

"is there a way a christian could witness to you without offending you?" - I don't get "offended" really (unless someone starts with "you're going to HELL if you don't convert!"). I just get annoyed. The fact is, I tend to know more about the Bible than the Christians witnessing to me, and I already know all about loads of other religions.

My advice? Don't witness to people. If religion comes up in conversation, then you can ask if the other person's interested. But if you're just being pushy or getting in their face, randomly asking them if they're Christian (I assume that's your religion, as it's the only one I know that uses the term "witnessing"), or bringing up hell....knock it off.

Answer 3

There is a old saying that goes "An smart man takes his watch out only when asked the time." In other words, lead by example and give information only when asked.

I've had people witness to me, after I've asked them what created the big change in their lives. They didn't offend me because I asked for the story. And they offered a personal testimony of what they experienced. They didn't try to convert me, just simply told me what happened to them. That is witnessing.

I don't know what you call the sales people for Jesus who come to your door and start "pitching" the "good book"? These people aren't witnessing, their selling, and like many sales people, most of them are obnoxious and pushy. There is a mega church in our community that typifies this. I has a sanctuary that looks more like a television studio than a church. There's no cross to be seen anywhere inside. The emphasis is on feel good and GIVE money. They play paid advertising on television monitors to their congregation in the lobby. They have an arcade to attract the kids, you need quarters of course. And at hospitality, you buy your coffee at of all things their "Son Bucks" coffee shop. We "affectionately" refer to this place as the J-Mart, special absolution Wednesdays and holy light specials.

Must meet some people's needs though, they have 1500 members.

Answer 4

The fact that I know more about not only their own Scriptures, but about the people IN those Scriptures.
The fact that Christians TOTALLY ignore that Jesus was Jewish but they practice Christianity; yet see no contradiction.
The fact that Christians erroneously believe AND teach that Jesus "did away" with 'The Old Testament'.
The fact that pretty much everything you call Christian was instituted by a "Church Father" named Constantine at the Council of Nicea which pretty much ensured Christianity would be offensive to Jews & Judaism.
The fact that Christians follow a set of religious principles they learned from someone else while being blind to the fact their life is not even CLOSE to what Jesus lived!
Would you like me to continue?
What would not offend me is for Christians to stop TALKING about their religion, & begin LIVING what Scripture actually says...like not eating pork or shellfish (which Jesus also avoided); like worshipping on Sabbath instead of Sunday (like Jesus did!); like not saying Allah & G-d are one & the same (when did Allah have a Son named Jesus?); like stop pressuring Israel to give up their 1 little piece of land in honor of "the peace process", & to begin loving others different from yourself.
I must admit; I think you have some big cahoonahs to ask such a question. A seriously legit question, on your part.

Answer 5

Witnessing is fine if I am interested in the conversation. When I say "I'm not interested" you should go away. You are not responsible for saving my soul, that is up to me. My problem is that I have had people try to prevent me from getting on a bus or going in a door because they were "witnessing" to me.

Also, a group of believers drove up to my Uncle's home to witness to him. They startled the dog who startled my uncle who was working at the table saw. He cut off the end of his finger. This was of course an accident and not their fault. What I do fault them for is just leaving without bothering to check if my uncle needed help. Fortunately my uncle was able to drive himself to the hospital. Instead of offering assistance they showed true cowardice and ran away.

Answer 6

Hey, I'm a believer, and I have to say to those out there who get angry at us for witnessing: it's what we do! It is our "Great Commission" and our calling as believers to tell others about Christ. So, with that in mind, just know that when we are approaching you, it's because it's our "job". To other fellow believers (myself included), the best possible witness is a life lived in a Christlike manner.

Answer 7

I like having conversations about religion. A very cool anthropologist whose name has suddenly escaped me said that to truly understand where a person is coming from and why they believe what they believe, you need to drop your doubts. Just believe what they tell you, because what people experience is reality. What I'm saying here is respect my beliefs and don't tell me I'm being deceived by Satan.

I do not like being told
1. My gods are demons
2. I'm going to Hell (I'm not Christian, so the argument isn't likely to work)
3. I'm a lost soul to be pitied

I like it when the people with whom I'm speaking actually listen to what I say and not focus on their next talking point. The most important advice I have for you is not to talk to me about religion in order to change my religion. Talk to me about religion because it's an interesting topic. If you're just in it to change my religion, I will take that as disrespectful.

Answer 8

I do not like the condescending attitude that says "I know more about what is good for you than you do!" And how can you "witness" without that attitude? Witness all you want, but DON'T DO IT UNTIL YOU ARE ASKED. There, that was simple, wasn't it?

Answer 9

I think a big turn off is being talked down to. I know that when I share my beliefs I try to make it clear, it is there for others to listen to IF THEY WANT. If they say no, that is their choice. God gave us freewill, it is not my right to remove it.

Case in point, my best friend from years back is currently agnostic. He knows my beliefs. I do not hide them, but I do not force them on him. I know that if he wants to know something he will ask. I may at times offer some words, but then will pull back if he wishes.

Answer 10

No there isn't. It's not because I am offended they believe in christianity though. I'm offended because they feel they have the right to talk to total strangers about their beliefs. If I don't know someone well then I don't want them trying to tell me my beliefs are wrong. Heck or that fact if I know them well they better not or we won't know each other any longer.