Christians...A Question?

Question

For those of you who are very devout and claim that God/ Jesus has put forth the directive that you are here to spread his word to the world, and considering the USA has a large Christian population, what is stopping you from spreading the Word of God to the Middle East?

If you claim he has sent you here to spread his Gospel, then why not do it where Christianity is at its weakest?

Are you afraid of heaven? If you die spreading his word, are you not made a martyr? Are you not brought into heaven?

I guess what I am asking, is, it is nice and safe in the West to prostletyze your dogma, but why not bring it to the unbelievers? Why not bring Jesus to those who are truly damned? Dying for your faith as they die for theirs? Is your devotion not on par with the Muslims of the Al Quaida?

Are Al Quaida Muslims more faithful, and therefore more true than you?

Comer - that doesn't answer the Q. And why not you? Apparently there are others who have true faith?

Some guy - Really!?!! Strange answer to my question. So you can't tell me an answer. You are not a true Christian then.

Shaun, et al. Yes I read the news and of course I know this. Isn't there strength in numbers? Isn't it selfish not to wish to die this way? And I know there are missionaries there, mayhap they need help?

So far, I have not received an adequate answer other than Missionaries are doing it. So you would rather let others die in the name of your faith, which would lead me to believe that you are not true to your God. On a long enough timeline we all die. You do not wish to give up Earthly possessions and your mortal body for Christ? Admit it. You aren't truly Christian. Christ died for you. Why not you for him?

Davet - The question is about true faith, not if the Missionaries (all of whom are more devout than anyone here) are doing their work or if they are succeeding.

This is a personal question. Why are you not doing as they are? (See above)

Scott and Cards fan - I live in the Northeastern US and never wish to leave.

The question is simple: If you are truly devout, worldly possessions and relationships are nothing compared to serving God. Why aren't you spreading his word, if that is your mission here on Earth?

I don't know why this is confusing. There are missionaries. So why are you not with them.

Other countries don't allow you in? God has boundaries? Jesus is not allowed therefore why bother?

Brian D - thanks. I was unaware that there were missionaries there. It wasn't common knowledge! Uh.. .yeah. Again, why aren't you there if you are a true believer? These missionaries are doing the dirty work for you. You let Jesus die for your sins but won't sacrifice yourself for him...

Randy - Good one. Yes, the Churches send missionaries. But not you? Why not? Do you not believe as faithfully as they? Or is money more important, as you say.

Lawrence - What is so confusing about the Premise of My Q? Why are you, Y O U, not spreading the Word of God? I didn't ask "Are there Christian Missionaries in the Middle East?" Of course there are. That falls in the "No duh." category.

So, I guess the premise of your answer is faulty in that you don't answer the question: Why have you not gone and spread the word of the Lord?

Answer 1

Because they are cowards.

Answer 2

You might be surprised to learn that we are.
There are missionaries at work over there is secret who are committed to spread the word but they must do that in secret.
Death is a penalty that are willing to pay, but a dead missionary can't very well do very much. And yet they do die:
http://mensnewsdaily.com/2006/11/04/another-christian-missionary-killed-in-pakistan/

http://anycostjesus.baseelia.org/

We are also at work in Sudan in Africa building schools and churches trying to make a difference.

The great thing about America is that we can act more openly thanks to our freedom of speech, however in many places over seas (like the Middle East) we are forced to carry out Jesus' commands in a more circumspect manner.

I read about Christian missionaries dying while spreading the word all the time but you won't find this kinda stuff on CNN or USA Today or even Fox News.

I hope this helps.

-B

Answer 3

There are many Christians living or serving as missionaries in the Middle East. I felt a calling to Russia in the nineties and served as a missionary there. Others were called to Israel at my training. Yet, others feel called to minister in the US. What is your point exactly? There are plenty of Christians serving in the Middle East, God needs them there, but He doesn't call everyone to serve there. Again, are you sure you really thought through your question?
By the way, I don't care what you think is an "adequate" answer, the truth is the truth. God places those who follow where He needs them. It's really that simple. Your opinion of the answer doesn't lessen the truth. Get over yourself. I'm right where God wants me to be, if He wants me there I'll heed that call. But, then again, I know God in a real and personal way, it's the reason I understand and you don't.

Answer 4

Our Church does send missionaries to the Middle East, as do many others. Obviously, we cannot do so openly, as teaching Christianity is illegal in many Muslim countries. One of our missionaries (Heather Mercer) was held prisoner by the Taliban (article at first link, below) for illegally teaching Christianity until she & a friend were rescued by U.S. troops some time after NATO invaded Afghanistan in 2002.

Obviously, not everyone can go full time, because someone has to earn the money to pay to support the full time missionaries, but we do have short term missions trips (2 weeks to a few months) for anyone who wants to sign up to go to third world countries around the world to do various charity projects, and, of course to preach (See second link, below). I was supposed to go to India in November of 2001, but after 9/11, our trip was canceled, and I was sent to help the refuges from Somalia and homeless people in Chicago.

Happy now? What have YOU done to help the world's poor? Nothing, I bet. You probably don't even donate any money to UNICEF. So why are you criticizing us again?

Answer 5

The premise of your question is wrong, as is the case with questions of this type. You start out with the assumption that Christians are not spreading the Gospel in the areas you've mentioned. That is a lie and patently false, which you already knew.

Christians have been taking the message of Christ's salvation to the Middle East, Asia, Africa, South America and Europe the whole time. They do this in spite of the laws in the Middle East (like Saudi Arabia) that forbid Bibles and oppress those who would choose to believe in the one, true God, sometimes leading to Arab Christians being harassed or beheaded.

They do this in spite the threat of jail in Red China if they are caught bringing Bibles into the country, and the threat of jail, torture and death to the Chinese who dare to recognize Jesus as Lord and Savior, instead of the government as their provider.

They do this in spite of having to deal with witch doctors and tribal superstitions that have lead to the beheading and death at the end of the spear that has happened to Christian missionaries in Africa and the jungles of South America.

The difference is that, when we die for our faith, we die in peace, trying to spread the Gospel and give those who are in darkness the opportunity to decide for themselves to turn to the light of Jesus Christ.

When the Al-Quaida Muslim dies flying a plane into a structure full of innocent civilians, or when they strap a bomb around their waist for a homicide bombing, designed to take as many innocent people with them as possible, they are hardly spreading their religion, although they are giving a clear picture as to what their religion is about. Instead, they are attempting to fulfill the dictates of the Quran that tells them to kill the "infidel".

Theirs is the true act of cowardice. Just as it is the act of a liar and a coward to ask a question such as this, when they know that they are lying throughout.

Answer 6

Do you not read the news? When a country is closed to accepting other religions in it, it is a lot harder than you think. Many Christians are beaten and killed in China becasue they are seen carrying a Bible. Here within the past 10 years or so India has now allowed Christians to build churches in parts of India. There are still some parts where they will kill you...There are tons of missionaries all over the place, it just takes time.

Answer 7

LOL...if you watch news on the middle east you should have heard the story of iran ..in the 80s thier were around 500 christians living there..now due to programs such as bibles for the middle east there are a estimated 5 million iranian christians...and more in other middle eastern countries..soooo why ask this question?

Answer 8

Friend, I hate to bust your little bubble, But my church is live on the internet, & our services goes out to all nations, Even Iraq, Kuwait, Israel, & many other mid-eastern nation, & also to Austrailia, Phippines, Now as to what you say about my pastor going to the middle east, Do you know he is only one person & can not be everywhere, & did you know in 1990 When The United States drove Iraq back across the borders, & set Kuwait free, & that our soilders was not allow to bring the bible into Saudia Araibia, Yes they wanted our help, But not our Faith, so now you are wondering why we don't go into other countries, we do, But there are many that will not allow us into their country to preach the word of God, therefore it now goes by internet, Yes even into China.

Answer 9

Al Qaida violates basic teachings of the Koran and the only thing they are devoted to is their own personal interests. They wouldn't know Islam..true Islam, if it walked up to them and smacked them in the head. Now, are they more devoted to the corrupted twisted ideas they try to mask off as Islam than I am to Christianity? Probably..but then you know that fanatics are the children of cults.

I don't proselytize. I find it a largely repugnant practice brought on by those who can't find the inner strength to lead by example. I try to live well, and let that be my testimony. I try to show faith where it is needed, mercy where it is unexpected, and love always.

I fall far far short of that goal every day. But I make the honest effort, and hopefull come a little closer each day to that idea.

But I would gently suggest that Al Qaida terorrists not be referred to as Muslims. They have neither surrendered their will to God nor acknowledged his sole position as a deity. Their god is war, bloodshed, and selfish interests.

Answer 10

There are actually many missionaries all over the world spreading the good news of christianity. There are definately people in the middle east spreading the gospel and being tortued for it.

Why not me? I am called to spread the good news in my hometown and surrounding areas through my actions and charity. Everyone is called to their own role. If everyone was overseas, there would be no one in america to spread the gospel.
1 Corinthians 12:14 "Now the body is made up of not one part but many". Every person has their own purpsose in t he body of Christ. Not everyone can be a foot, or an arm. In order for the body to function, it needs every part.

Answer 11

Many Christians have died, and are still dying every day, in the Middle East, Africa, Asia and other countries for spreading the Gospel.