Religious people, i ask you this?

Question

When asked why do you insist on saving non-believers soul, a reply that i see often is the saving a drowning man or the saving people from a fire answer.

My question is this, who really rushes into a burning building? Who really rushes into the ocean? or do you let the profesionals, (firemen/lifeguards) do their responsibilities?
Eventhough your intentions are good, u might not be helping at all, but endangering yourself and the one your saving.

So, why not let the priests, imams etc do their jobs, because thats what they do best.

Answer 1

This is an interesting question. Thank you for putting it so politely.

My answer is this:
Let's use the "drowning man" or the "trapped person" analogy. If you were to see a person drowning, you knew you were a proficient swimmer, and there was no one else around to help that person (no lifeguards, no professional swimmers, no one), would you stand there, or would you jump in?

While some of the questions that skeptics have are better answered by priests, pastors, reverends, imams, and apologetics, those people are harder to find.

However, I don't try to "save" anyone. I know that I'm not the one who does the converting. All I can do is discuss it with a person, and hope that my life is Christ-like enough so that they know I'm sincere. I can't "save" anyone. God is the one who will soften their hearts, and THEY are the ones who have to make that decision. But it doesn't mean I can't talk about it with them, and it doesn't mean that I can't try to answer their questions as best as I can.

Answer 2

Religious people only sharing 'good news' from what they experience from their religion/God. 'saving a drowning man' or the 'saving people from a fire' is just a metaphore which shows the non-believers soul states.

If you chat with 'sweet-talk' drug dealer; (that will get you addicted and expect you will come more for it), its like 'rushing in to a burning building'. But some didn't know drug is addicted and dangerous, and said 'Why not?'. So, its like they see the ocean is beautiful and not dangerous to go in but suddenly, Tsunami strikes.

Priests, imams etc are them who knows their stuff. The 'saver of non-believers soul' is a media to tell the 'good news' from their own experience. But if the non-believers decide to learn more about the 'good news', then they will look for the priests, and imams to guide them more deeply (because thats what they do best).

Answer 3

I look at the picture kind of like this, If I seen an accident along the road and hear sirens nearby, it is still my duty as another human being to try to assist in anyway I can, even though I know the "real" help is on the way. Religious people put their product "the word of God" out there in hopes of saving souls. I think that as a religious person we should put the word out there and also be a example by living what we teach. I don't believe in forcing my beliefs on someone. I fell that if its not their cup of tea then I don't make them feel bad or like their going to hell for not believing in something I do. I still speak and befriend them just as I would another Christian. I have no heaven or hell to put anyone in, thus I don't judge people. I can't speak for every religious person, only myself.

Answer 4

I like the thought you put into this question. For me the answer is that I don't feel I'm endangering myself. If I can play a part in saving someone's soul (although it is the Holy Spirit that really does it), that's a benefit that far outweighs any risks.

Also, we're talking about eternity! That's a looong time for someone to be in the wrong place!

Answer 5

Isaiah 29:10 For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.
11 And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed:
12 And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.

Isaiah 29:16 Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding?
17 Is it not yet a very little while, and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest?
18 And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness.
19 The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.

Isaiah 9:2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

Answer 6

Hey I never try to save anyone, it is not my place.

I might ask my mom to go to church with me now and then. But for the most part of it I do not touch religious topics outside of my home environment unless I am on the internet.

I do not think that a person can save another person by just telling them about it. People allready know. It is none of my business to try to get them to believe something, it is not even my place.

I just hate it when people assume that all people that believe in God are that way because I am not. I could care less what the other beside me believes because I do not condemn people in my mind and say this person is going to hell or this person isn't. That is not my place also. I think if you think in your mind that you want to save this person and think that they are not saved then you are condemning them in your mind and saying that they are hell bound and no one should judge people like that.

How are we to convert, if it is not our place to know who needs to be converted. People that want to know will seek. It is not my purpose to seek after them.

Answer 7

We do let the professionals do this job. His name is Christ Jesus. I can't save one soul. All I can do is pray for someone and warn that person about the dangers of the eternal fire. It's up to the indiviual to take heed and Christ to turn the stubborn heart of man that he will believe and be saved.

Answer 8

Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Answer 9

While I will not sit here and spoon feed you the Lords word, I however feel that this is something that is done on both sides of the board.
While the Christians do this, the Atheist do it to, by stating , There is no God

Answer 10

because there are not enought of them to reach out to everybody who wants to know. truth be told not all priests and preachers are reaching out. our real job as christians is to offer the gift of salvation, not force it. you are right in some ways. if I were to force this on you I would drive you away correct but if I instead were to lay it on the table for you to take in your own time if thats what you choose of course then you would have a more chance of at least checking it out and trying it on. Am I right?