Would Jesus have wanted us to shove our beliefs down the throats of people who just do not want it? Is it not better to show the love of Christ by example instead of clubbing someone with our beliefs? I believe in sharing the good news too, but not with people who have told me they do not want it. If they show interest in what my beliefs are, I am more than happy to share them. I have before and this seems to work much better! I think it is far better to let my light shine and light the way with my good example! What are your thoughts on this, Christian? Is there a way to share the gospel without being abrasive and irritating folks? All responses welcome as long as they are respectful!
2007-08-28 14:43:45 · 29 answers · asked by Marie 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
i find religion and a relationship with God to be 2 different things...
religion beats you up
relationship saves you
2007-08-28 14:52:14 · answer #1 · answered by ? 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Is there such a thing as beating a person over the head with religion? YES, metaphorically speaking.
Would Jesus have wanted us to shove our beliefs down the throats of people who just do not want it? NO! He said "do not cast your pearls before the swine." what we have is precious, give only to those searching.
Is it not better to show the love of Christ by example instead of clubbing someone with our beliefs? CORRECT! always preach the gospel, and if necessary use words!
Sounds like you're on the right track to me.
2007-08-29 07:01:32 · answer #2 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes there is such a thing as beating a person over the head with religion.
That's one of the biggest problems I have with socializing. I know where to get bibles and there are more than enough churches around for me to visit. I also know enough people that if I had questions, I know where to get the answers.
There aren't very many people who like infomercials and when a christian keeps inserting religion they are usually just pushing a person away with annoyance.
If a person keeps approaching you with drugs, porn, crime plans, or a different religion you wouldn't like it. So why is it ok to keep approaching someone else with your religion?
I have a long term friend who is christian and I hang out with them and their family often. We get along fine despite having different views. Their thought process is you know what we are and where to find us, if you ever change your mind we'll be here.
Like I've said before, I can appreciate a drug dealer over most the christians I've met. Instead of chasing and annoying people, drug dealers wait for people to come to them.
For those of you can't grasp that comparison because of the drug dealer I'll use supply and demand.
If there's no demand for what you supply, why do you keep showing it to the same person?
It's hard to respect a person who doesn't respect other people enough to leave them alone after they say no or show no interest.
@ dreamdress2
So if you've never been raped does that mean it doesn't happen to others?
That very thought process of "I've never seen it, so it's a lie" has caused many issues in life for many people.
2007-08-28 22:38:18 · answer #3 · answered by riding128 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, there definitely is such a thing. The way to share the Good News in a good way is to be polite about it- answer questions, discuss your beliefs in detail should the occasion come up- but always be respectful of others' beliefs and opinions. There's nothing wrong with believing you're right and wanting others to see the same wonderful God you do, but there's no reason to be disrespectful.
2007-08-28 21:51:24 · answer #4 · answered by csbp029 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
i've said it before and i'll say it again; preachy christians are the number one reason i didn't convert to christianity until i was 27 years old. it just comes off as being self-righteous when someone preaches constantly. spread the gospel by being the best example of a christian you can be. that doesn't mean you should go around judging people- far from it. pray more, preach less. you're right in the way you approach witnessing. that's the way i do things too.
2007-08-29 04:29:34 · answer #5 · answered by That Guy Drew 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I do not believe in aggressively proselytizing. I don't shove my religion down anyone's throat. I talk about religion only if someone else brings it up first. I don't like hawking my religion as if it were a pre-owned car. That's the cheap approach. Living a life that shows others that you've really got something going on spiritually is a slower approach, but is much more effective in the long run. Others may gain converts by bullying or emotionalism, but those converts will likely not stay converted for long, and will move on.
2007-08-28 21:55:56 · answer #6 · answered by solarius 7 · 5⤊ 1⤋
You are doing just fine, You need to do what you feel comfortable. Once some one posed this question to me as would you try only once to save a drowning person or a person who about to jump from a building? some feel that it is a matter of life and death and they never give up. I think there is a passage in the bible that says if they do not accept you wipe the dust from your feet and move on. So I don't push anyone when I am talking about Jesus.
2007-08-28 21:51:44 · answer #7 · answered by budleit2 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it's possible....but it's NOT what Jesus wanted. The best way to be a living example and love your neighbor (or co-worker) with the love of Christ. Let Him shine through you.
Blessings.
2007-08-29 00:49:44 · answer #8 · answered by Jan P 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think you have a good attitude about it. There are many of us who have found truth that we believe in and are not really interested in what others have found as the truth for them. For example, I am wiccan and I only share the truths that I have found if I am asked. I am perfectly happy to discuss my religion with people if they ask, and I wish all Christian's and others as well would respect me enough not to push their religion on me.
Blessed be.
2007-08-28 21:50:44 · answer #9 · answered by Jinny E 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As a Christian, I agree with you 100%. Your approach is exactly the approach that I myself use, and I believe it is the approach that Jesus wants us to use. He didn't shove anything down anyone's throats. If He wanted to force others to believe He is God's Son, then He would have forced Pontius Pilot to believe Him when He said He was God's Son. He would have forced the Pharisees and Sadduccees to believe Him, instead of allowing them to call for His crucifixion. Christ set the example of how we are to tell others about Him. We are to do so by speaking the truth in love and acceptance, without shame, but with gentility - not hitting others over the head. Shoving one's beliefs down someone's throats only succeeds in either turning people away from God, or giving them a picture of fear, intolerance and rigid rules to follow if one wants to get to Heaven. I don't believe that's the right way. As the saying goes, you get more flies with honey than with vinegar, and the sweet honey taste of Christian love and kindness goes a lot farther than the bitter vinegar taste of judgment, condemnation and self-righteousness.
2007-08-28 21:56:53 · answer #10 · answered by Chimichanga to go please!! 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
no, i have seen from people i have worked with that shoving it down their throat is why many people do not like religion. for some, knocking on their door or meeting them on the street and just sharing the news is fine. if they reject then there is nothing you can do. for others like who you work with, show them Christ, and God will open up a oppurtunity to share.
2007-08-28 21:50:14 · answer #11 · answered by salvatoreleonegta3 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋