Atheists, am I alone in this or is this a relatively common position?

Question

I really don't have a problem with the Amish or other groups that have long standing, even extremely religious cultural beliefs.

I also have my opinions about the treatment of the remaining Samaritans in Israel, the Sami tribes and Coptic Christians and I think they should be allowed to continue their culture if they chose.

American Evangelicals, however are a different matter altogether.

Didn't Jesus say to preach the word and if a group rejected it, that was it? I am pretty sure about this, and I have read the Bible many times. I must have missed the follow up memo about forcing them to convert or continually arguing the point until the objective is achieved or overtaking governments and outlawing dissent.

Christians in Europe don't bother me, I don't feel the need to enlighten Maronite Catholics from Lebanon.

In the debate between Theists and Nontheists, more would be gained by focusing on the real problem, instead of attacking all Theism, whatever its form.

Comments?

Matthew 10:14
If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.

Notice it doesn't say to create a political action committee and create a "Biblical Family Values" Coalition?

I won't change my mind, kk.

kk, if a man named Adolph from Austria were a 'god' and he could force me to experience extreme pain for a very long time, does that mean I should bow down to him?

Because I wouldn't.

Answer 1

The bible says not to give your pearls to swines.. imagine God knew your were a swine before you were created..
You reject what we say then walk away,, so I wipe the dust off my heels of you..I will let God deal with you when you meet him and YOU WILL MEET HIM>>>

Answer 2

As Christians we are commanded to go out and find people and invite them to accept God's salvation.

Jesus was telling a story of a feast. People were not showing up and a servant had been dispatched to ask people to come. More came but still there was room. The servant was then told to go out into the highways and the hedges and compel them to come.

The term "compel" does not mean to hog-tie and drag people kicking and screaming back into the church. It means that we should diligently attempt to convince them that it is in their best interest to seek God's plan for their life.

However, in another section of the Bible, it does say if after having made an attempt to do this we are not received then we should depart and shake their dust off our feet.

This is best applied on an individual by individual basis. There is no need to assume that if one person in Boston rejects our efforts that we should leave all of Boston to perish. However, if we have really tried to persuade a particular person and have been unsuccessful then we should move on to the next.

~Neeva

Answer 3

Trust me man this is what i try to figure out all the time. I think that people just take the more relevant ideas preached and do not learn about any thing else they claim to. People of the far religious rights or even the loony left have been taking thing to literal with out even thinking of the overlooked but extremely important edicts of their religion. Try to get the big picture and its telling then base an IDEA off of it, not a religion to be forced on others

Answer 4

Guido I respect your position.

Sadly you have really thought this out.

I guess if all atheists were like you I would be less likely to share the gospel.

By that, I see that you:

a)have heard the gospel,

b)don't believe it,

c)totally accept your position as an atheist,

d)are quite OK with spending eternity in hell.

If someone would answer yes to all of those points I would respectfully back away......but wait, what if you changed your mind?

Answer 5

I agree, I don't mind the Amish, I love their food most of all. I like them because they aren't hypocritical, they follow their beliefs even t hough they are very inconvenient, not what most 'Christians' do. Also, they keep to themselves and don't push their beliefs on others. They are peaceful and kind people; not blood-thirsty like the Christian faith.

Answer 6

well as a person of faith i been hurt many times by these people who call themselves Christians. shoving it down someones throat force feeding it instead of demonstrating it in there life. you look at the teachings of Jesus Christianity is really a beautiful faith. It teaches you to love and em brass all.

Answer 7

Hmm, not sure what your questions actually is, but I'll say... only on the second Tuesdays.

Oh, and where did Jesus say preach the word once then give up? I don't remember that...

Answer 8

I agree... theism is not just about christianity... they get a little self-absorbed. Atheists sometimes still have spiritual beliefs... the polarization of the debate serves no one.

Answer 9

I agree. I generally respect anyone from any faith; the ones who lose my respect are those who are incapable of respecting others, and American evangelicals seem to dominate this field.

Answer 10

I agree, I'm all for other people practicing their faiths. I just don't want them constantly trying to convert me and telling me what an awful person I am.

Answer 11

You've left out the Gnostics and the Cathars. So what are your really asking?