Non - Christians: I'm interested to know what you think is the motivation of Christians who witness to you?

Question

I don't mean to be rude, but for a minute try putting yourself in our shoes:

If you believed that Jesus is the only Way, and that you can't have eternal life except through Him, and also believed what He told us about hell, wouldn't you think that we have a moral responsibility to say something even if God hadn't told us to?

Yeah, I do apologise for the times when it may seem like we've tried to force you to follow; I completely respect that it's a choice that you have to make yourself - God wouldn't want it any other way, however, I personally know of many people - even in my town - who had never heard the gospel before, and I think it's important that ppl hear and are given the choice.

For the record, I think that when someone becomes a Christian, the things that we gain are - another friend in the church and in heaven, and it also makes God happy. (Yeah, and sure - it's a big encouragement.)

X

Thanks to everyone who's thought about this Q and answered in a constructive way...

Thanks to booellis, Fifimsp2, Frankies, Anna & Hedgewitch - sure, I don't agree with everything that was said, but you all stated what you thought our motivation was.

Thanks to Saul Goldberg: my parents know more about Jews than me (both studying Hebrew, and are in Israel right now), but I believe they have been specially chosen by God.

Thanks also to all the Christians who answered (even though I didn't specifically ask :) )

To clarify - I'm from the UK, and there are a lot of younger ppl in particular who haven't heard the gospel. Sure, the information's available if you look, but a lot of ppl don't for whatever reason. I can think of a number of people around our town who've responded with a "Wow - why has no-one told me this before?", and yeah, sure, a number of others who haven't responded like that.

Anna - thanks for your answer, I thought it was well thought out. According to the bible, salvation is a free gift from God which can't be earned; however, it also seems to say that there are rewards for ppl in heaven. I thought what you said was good though.

To summarise the thrust of a lot of the answers, it seems like the main problems for ppl seem to be:

a) With Jesus' message itself (which can be expected - the bible is clear on that.)

b) With the way the gospel is presented - I fully agree that we should present it as best we can.

and c) If ppl feel disrespected / that the evangelist isn't respecting their freedom to choose - I'm completely fine with that too - it would be horrible if ppl were forced to choose God.

Wow - that's a lot of extra details. If I could give out points for free, I'd probably give a few to anyone who's got this far!

Answer 1

"wouldn't you think that we have a moral responsibility to say something..."

Yes, I understand that, from your point of view.
It's inherent in accepting Christianity: "The Great Commission".
In fact given the number of Christians convinced that the majority of the world is going to hell, I'm surprised how little evangelism goes on. You'd think that every Christian would be driven to it.

That ISN'T a call for much more evangelism, (by an atheist at that!), simply because, sadly, the vast majority of examples that I've experienced have been done badly to the point that it was more likely to repel people than attract them, totally independently of the truth or otherwise of the message and whether it is "Good news" or "The offence of the gospel".

I have no objection to Christian witness.
I do have to being insulted, ignored, and disrespected.
If that all comes "bundled", please do not assume it is the Christian message that I am reacting badly to.

And I have met good, kind, communicative evangelists.
The Rev. John Chapman of Australia comes to mind.

Answer 2

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to answer this question. I'm sure that many non-christians will be pleased.

I am an atheist. I do not believe in God, Jesus as the son of God, Allah, Satan, or any of the many other deities that people worship.

When I am told by someone of any faith that X will happen if I don't do Y, I rebel - I have my own mind and I don't need anyone else telling me what I should think. I politely explain to this person that my beliefs are my own concern, and although I appreciate their good intentions, I am quite capable of making my own way in life. If the person persists, then I get angry and explain things more forcefully. If this doesn't work, I walk away.

It's like someone coming up to you and saying, e.g. that if you don't sniff coke, you will suffer a terrible death and nothing will be able to help you - and expecting you to accept this without any proof. You don't need that in your life, just as I don't need someone telling me I'm going to suffer terrible torture after death.

I was brought up as a catholic, so I am fully aware of the consequences of my non-belief if I am wrong, but I am prepared to take that chance and live my life as best as I can within my own values.

Please accept my right to do this.

Thank you.

Answer 3

I don't believe you have a moral responsibility to tell anyone, anything. You have a obligation to live your lives as a testimony, and leave the rest to God. People will see, and ask, as the spirit moves them. I have been all over America, and there is no place in the country that hasn't had the Bible preached from front to back thousands of times. So, if you think people are desperate, ask someone what a cult is. You may be an unwitting member...sorry...

Answer 4

Isabel, I don't have to try to put myself in your shoes, I have been in your shoes.
Brought up as a Christian I was quite devout until, in my late teens and early twenties, I began to see the flaws in the religion. After a period of spiritual 'dryness' I discovered Buddhism, which satisfies me completely. I will absloutely NOT try to convince you of the reasons for nor the rightness of that choice.
While I was in your Church I did notice, and still do, that it was the extremists, the ones who see no further than the literal words of the bible, who were intent on evangelism.
Those who had a secure spiritual base as well as the 'revealed' word of the bible were content to inspire others by their deeds and their lives.
Isabel, you say you don't want to be rude, but in preaching to people who have not asked you to, you are being.
You ask why do we think you do it. I'm sorry to have to tell you that, from my observations, both as a Christian and since then, I think you do it out of an arrogant belief in the bible as the sole truth and I believe you do it to make yourselves feel good.
It is interesting that among the truly spiritual people of ALL faiths there is no dissension and no proselitising.
Sorry, but you did ask.

X

Answer 5

This is America. There is no one here who has not had substantial exposure to the Bible and Christianity. And for the most part, if someone chooses not to be religious, or even not a Christian, they are catching flak for that decision every day.

And that is why it is rude and unacceptable for you people to push your beliefs on us like that. I personally feel harassed when you do it. I live in the most Christian nation on earth, do you honestly believe I have never heard about the Gospel before?

We don't appreciate it. And it doesn't work anyway. Leave people alone. We leave you alone, so why can't you afford us the same courtesy?

And honestly, I don't know what the motivation is. I don't know what could motivate someone to be so confrontational and condescending to another person. The things you people say to perfect strangers border on delusional. I couldn't even wager a guess at what you're motivation might be.

Answer 6

I perfectly understand your intentions, but as a student of history I know what starts out as kind witnessing soon turns to genocide.

Martin Luther when he created his protestant reformation hopped that the Jews would join him. When this did not happen he devoted a good portion of the end of his life to vilify and attack Jews. This set the way for protestant anti-semitism, and was the part of the ideological basis for Hitters Germany and the Holocaust.


It was the Christian belief in the superiority of their religion that led to the crusades against the Muslim held holy land.

It was the Muslim belief in their own superiority that lead to the deaths of hundreds of millions as they spread Islam though North Africa and Central Asia.

The same goes for the conquistadors from Spain that killed millions of Native Americans because they were “heathen savages”

When someone thinks they are superior it is not a stretch to say that others are inferior. It is that logic which leads to dehumanization and genocide.

I can think of no greater evil man has done than to impress his views upon his neighbors.

Answer 7

Everybody can witness, gospel or evangelise me. The rate is 75 eur per hour or part there off.

There is a slight discount after 10 hours! Only valid on week days!


Take it easy. And do try to make it a nice day for somebody else.

Answer 8

I think it is so those Christians can feel superior.

If the love of god was the true motivation the "witness" would back off when I said I believed differently. But instead gods spokesperson then takes the opportunity to insult me for an extended period of time and feels righteous doing so.

If you want to spread the word of god be "Christian" about it. Oh yeah I forgot it is very very christian to condemn others to hell.

Answer 9

I am not religious in anyway. In fact religion causes more wars than anything. The only thing the church do is take money from people. Most churches own the banks and they definitely have a say in politics when they should not as religion was something gay men used to hide behind to abuse young children. How many priests have you read about who have abused their position. If it is friends you want go to the Beach,travel, join a club, instigate activities in your place of work. If you are not religious it does not mean you are uncaring or unfriendly. Life is about getting up of your bum getting out there and making the most of it. People who sit and wait for things to happen to them will have a very long wait.

Answer 10

Most people who call them selves Christians haven't 'turned to Christ', they were christened by their parents as some sort of insurance policy.
I have rarely met a 'Christian'. My father was an Anglican priest and he never said he was a Christian. He said he was striving everyday towards that goal.
Christianity involves forgiveness, tolerance, being non.discriminatory and the greatest of these is love (formerly translated as charity). All I see is the old adage, 'Charity begins at home.'
Most religions have been hi-jacked by extremists, fundamentalists and politicians and this applies to Christianity just as much as it applies to, for the sake of argument, let's say Islam.