Evangelism? What do you think?

Question

As a Christian I do believe in evagelising, but in the same token I believe there are ways to go about it and ways not to. For instance the people shouting in the street and ringing a bell telling people if they do not believe in Christ they're going to hell; That is a big NO NO. I know if I saw that I would be like if that's what religion does to you I want no part of it.

So a question to the 'non-believers' or probably the ones who think that they are living a reality and not a God fantasy. What way would you appreciate most for someone to you about their religion?

If the answer is none then there is no point posting it. Unless your'e just doing it for you 2 points

Lojique I posted this because I wanted a non-christian opinion and I think it makes sense to ask the people who you want to talk to. Thats the problem with some people, You can't force your belief on someone so if they don't want to hear they won't listen anyway.

I used the phrase " 'non-believers' or probably the ones who think that they are living a reality and not a God fantasy. What way would you appreciate most for someone to you about their religion?" because I know people on here canbe incredibly harsh and to show i was prepared for that. I also put the term 'non-believers' in quotations marks to show its not something I'd usually say but a kind of cliché term

Speeding_Slim I already said I don't believe in people shoutinf in the streets so in fact as annoying as you may find me you agreed with me

Another thing people don't understand is when people evangelise its not in a way of trying to force their belief they genuinely want good for you it their of extending what Jesus has done for them so that you too can experience eternal life

Answer 1

probably wait till someone asks you about their beliefs, that way they are interested. Also avoid direct quotations from the bible, it makes it sound like regurgitated dogma, so try to tell the other person in your own words.

Answer 2

I'm a Christian and I think evangelism is a very powerful way in growing the Kingdom of God. However, like you said, some people can go too far. Personally, if I was a non-Christian I would be put off by someone shouting 'if you're not a Christian you're going to hell' kind of thing but it does work for some people. There was this story of this old man who jumped out at people on the street and asked them if they died that night where would they go? He only ever heard back from one person, who then came to be a great evangelist and thousands of people came to faith through him.
Everybody is different and will respond differently to different types of evangelism etc. Not everyone can be reached with one sermon, and some people can become Christians with one sentence and for others it can take decades.

Answer 3

What makes you think you're living in a god fantasy and not reality? I would appreciate a person not using underlying context that undermine another person's beliefs. And to call a person who doesn't believe in your religion a non-believer is the same as calling all mexicans illegal immigrants.
That is unbecoming of you to group alot of people under such a blanket term. How do you know they don't believe in anything at all? They might have their own religion or belief system.
I don't mind a person discussion or explaining their religion. I'm all for understanding anything, as much as I can learn about life I will. But when a person decides for others that others need to believe in a particular religion to live a happy life, that's a huge turn off.

Answer 4

It's an interesting question, jayJay.

I suspect that most people are already satisfied with their religion and not looking for some better way to God, so preaching on a street corner is, as you say, not the way to go.

I would think that if you want to evangelise, that you need to reach people who are looking for something to aid them in a time of need and crisis. To those people, wherever you find them, you show kindness and bring into the discussion how you came to peace by your beliefs and see if those same beliefs might help the person who is suffering.

The more difficult question is how to find those lost souls. TV evangelists have found their market and some have been unbelievably successful, but as I said above, only those looking for an answer would have tuned in.

For the more average among us who can't afford a TV show, you may have to seek out the lost and disadvantaged. Then show them the strength of your beliefs through giving and helping them out of their difficulties, and eventually bring them to your place of worship to see if they may find lasting answers there.

Good luck in your search.

Answer 5

All the great revivalists of the past few centuries did exactly what you seem to condemn – the gave open air speeches proclaiming the glory of God and the consequences for ignoring Him. Back then whole cities were changed for the better.

Today, as an example, Houston Texas is home to one of the most popular preachers in America. Upwards of 30,000 people attend his church. Yet Houston still suffers under the weight of crime and poverty. How come?

It's because the message has been dumbed down. Today's preachers are into feel-good messages that comfort the heart but fail to inspire the soul.

If there still are people shouting to sinners about the consequences of denying God I haven't heard them. And they force their message on no one. Folks can just ignore them like they've always done.

Answer 6

Yes, religion does like to promote itself. That's how it keeps going. So, no matter your thoughts on the subject, Christianity does direct its converts to push its superstition on others in inappropriate venues. And religion doesn't like to play fair. It uses emotional manipulation to get and gain converts, instead of just reason and logic. If you look at the arguments for religion, you'll see they usually spend most of the time on emotional hooks.

Personally, I enjoy a good religious or philosophic discussion. Forums like this one provide an appropriate venue for exchanging ideas about our beliefs. I've also met with people just for the purpose of discussing religion. That's fine. Anybody's belief should stand on its own merit and we should have a free market of ideas.

The only thing that gets to me is when the playing field is tilted. I often find people who like to push their beliefs but won't listen to my response. There is also a concerted effort by religions to leverage the government and media to push their beliefs. There is an unfair bias towards religion in this country. Bush Sr. once said, while campaigning for president, that he didn't consider atheists to be citizens nor patriots. If that was said about any other religious sector, he would have been strung up. As it was, he got elected and the statement didn't make any waves.

Answer 7

I don't mind it when the philosophy is invited or asked about, regardless if it is a religious one or not. I have had plenty of wonderful discussions about faith and Christianity when all parties exhibited excellent listening skills and tactful phrasing. Once the subject was ended, it was not pursued by either side. Very rarely did I witness rancor like I have on this YA format.

A simple "No, thank you" should suffice for people of any persuasion. I demand respect from my companions, and I give it as well. I have received exemplary respect from people passionate about their beliefs, whether they match mine or not. I have also received obnoxious treatment from people of all mindsets, including those whose tenets match mine. It's the behavior, not the belief that rankles me.

Answer 8

My answer is none and despite the fact that you obviously don't want to hear the answer you will get it anyway, and it is not just for the two points it is because your attitude annoys me intensely.

Do you want me to stand outside your church and shout at you god doesn't exist? You, with your superstitious beliefs are in a minority, the rest of the population are not interested so keep it to yourself.

What makes you think you have the right to tell the rest of us what to believe.

Answer 9

i can just imagine the responses to this question, "no i dont belive in evangelizm its just a bunch of arrogant people who are so set in there ways trying to guilt trip the rest of us to believe in something that is absolutely ridiculous." oh and there might be a bit of the classic "they are trying to get us to believe in a God who is going to send half of people to burn in hell." well i guess the response to your question is to be ready for these responses and pray about them and make sure that you are trying to with the help of God build up a response that you yourself actually believe in. the thing about evangalizm that a lot of peopl get wrong it ists not about people trying to prove themsleves right, people have to see that christians believe in God and his promises and so the fact that people are trying to share their experience with God to non christians is probably the most loving thing they could do.
ill try and explain that say for instance you were driving along a road and you suddenly saw that there was a cliff edge at the end so you stop. you know for certain that if people keep on driving they will drive off the edge and die, so the most loving thing to do is to warn the people driving along the road to stop warning them of the consequences. so evangelism is about trying to save people because you cant bear them falling over the edge.
of course im not saying that going up to people and saying or going to hell will work, but it has worked in the past, its more important for people to realise the amazingness of being saved than the badness of not being saved although both are important i find it better to explain Gods love and by that i mean Gods love not humans conseptions of love. so first we oursleves need to know what this love is like or at least try and grasp it.

evangalism there is no set way of going about it, something work for some poepl other things work for others. i guess a really good way is to be a god example of being a christian. share with people how you are the way you are. if gods done something amazing for you then share it, if your happy becasue of something that God has done tell people this. be loving when nobody else will be. do someone elses washing up for them, be a shoulder the cry on.

most importnantly pray to God forthese people and trust in him as ultimatly he is the one who waters the seeds and opens up peoples hearts we just may have to be the tools through which God works

Answer 10

i do not believe in evangelism or missions.

it is not a Christian's right to do such things. when Christians go to another country and tell people that the religious beliefs they have had for eons is wrong is downright insane.

if someone wants to know about Christianity, i believe they will ask a Christian. it is fine for you to share your faith in a personal way, one on one, but not to try to convert anyone who isn't interested.

i do not think Christians live in a fantasy. i do think Christians have no idea what the Bible says on this topic.

i don't care what you believe, as long as you respect my right to believe what is right for me. once someone starts shoving their religion down my throat, i have no problem telling them i don't want to hear it.