What do you say to people you barely know who preach or "witness" or seem like they want to argue. Are you polite and just nod, or do you engage them?
2007-08-16 08:46:59 · 43 answers · asked by elfkin, attention whore 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It usually depends on my mood and the setting.
If I'm at a party and someone starts to get a little too heavily into it, I usually won't follow....and I *never* argue with strangers on the street. Those people are rude and/or crazy.
2007-08-16 08:52:28 · answer #1 · answered by Samurai Jack 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am the same way in person as I am on the net. If a person is witnessing, it's not a threat to me. I can congratulate them on finding Jesus. They can try to engage me by asking if I am a believer (or another term of their choice), I can reply yes. Most smile, and continue witnessing. Some have turned and called me a liar because I am not witnessing as they feel they are doing. That's when I get the inkling they're either argumentative for the sake of arguing or they're not all there. My response back is to not be a hypocrite, as Jesus has taught us He does not know the false prophet who yells on the street corners.
Most leave me alone at that point. Yes, it has happened to me many times.
Stand up for what you believe in, and support others - when you are cast out and challenged you might need their support.
2007-08-16 09:01:54 · answer #2 · answered by Autumn S 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When it comes to complete strangers and semi-acquaintances in real life confronting me about my beliefs or "witnessing" to me, their attitude towards me determines how I will react.
If they are polite and respectful and merely talking about their own beliefs, I remain silent and do not argue with them or tell them that what they believe is wrong. If they ask me what I believe, I tell them. I do not go out of my way to argue or be confrontational about these subjects and try to be respectful. I am the same way on here.
If a person is confrontational or judgemental toward me about the subject, I won't be so nice. And I am the same way on here.
I do admit, though, that I am probably a bit more confrontational here than in real life.
2007-08-16 08:59:40 · answer #3 · answered by Christy ☪☮e✡is✝ 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Outside the Internet, mostly I've just played along and agreed politely about the 'be moral' stuff and disagreed politely about the 'God exists' stuff, while not really proposing any arguments of my own. It's so much easier to argue on the Internet, because you have plenty of time to come up with a response and the people whose religions you are disproving can't punch you in the face.
2007-08-16 08:52:30 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
^It depends, I do try to be polite, but I usually speak my mind, I've been told that because I don't believe in Jesus, I'm going to hell, so I just remind them that Jesus was Jewish, he never converted, there was nothing to convert to, meaning Christianity obviously didn't exist at the time and I'm sure there is a place in heaven for all of us. I'm not of any particular faith, but I am a spiritual person.
If they really get out of hand I recite little a poem a friend taught me. I don't mean any ill will towards anyone, so please don't take offense, I just think it's cute.
Roses are reddish
Violets are blueish
If it weren't for Christmas
The whole would be Jewish
There is room in this world for all of us and our beliefs, to many wars have been and are being fought over religion. Blessed be.
2007-08-16 08:50:44 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Usually i dont have a problem in talking about religion with anybody. Maybe i would not contradict somebody i depend on (a teacher or my boss) but except for that i always tell my opinions, even if they are different. I never got to argue with someone with different opinions than mine. Usually we just accept that we have different views, and that we don't really know the truth anyway.
2007-08-16 08:52:58 · answer #6 · answered by larissa 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the setting and what I have planned. In college I used to engage the Dale Hall Preacher all the time and it was great because he knew his stuff and could really throw down.
But at work and what not I just nod and go on to something else.
2007-08-16 08:52:07 · answer #7 · answered by John C 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depends on my mood. I've engaged a few... even had JW's coming to my house for close to 3 months. Fortunately I'm not on their "black list" and don't have to worry about them knocking on my door anymore. (This was about 10 yrs ago). The street corner preachers, those who just yell out verses or "the End Comes!" I usually avoid because there is no talking With them... just them yelling AT you. I've argued with family members to the point that some have disowned me (I meant to do it too)... discussed it at work with co-workers (most of which are Catholic)... I don't push my beliefs... most couldn't even tell you what my beliefs are. I usually end up just discussing the Bible and history *wink*
2007-08-16 09:00:37 · answer #8 · answered by River 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just like here at R&S, you can't argue with people about religion or politics. People are dead set in their ways and no amount of "proof" or "truth" is going to change anyones mind. The best thing you can do is smile and offer them a piece of gum.
2007-08-16 08:52:53 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Use the Socratic method. Get them to pin down exactly what they believe. It will make them more uncomfortable than you can even imagine. No one likes to have their ideas understood, because once they are understood they can be refuted. They will try to squirm out of the questioning after a few, after you persist in getting to the core of their belief they will feel open and vulnerable to you. Do not take advantage of this. Do not abuse the power that the knowledge gives you. Merely get them to realize just how fragile their hold on their ideas really is.
2007-08-16 08:59:40 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋