I've heard it asked several times (and once last night), "If I knew that a truck was speeding towards you, wouldn't I be partially responsible for your death if I didn't warn you to get out of the way?"
And so the analogy is made regarding sin and Christ as salvation . But what if it turns out that the speeding truck (i.e. sin) doesn't exist and preaching about the "avoidance" of such a truck (i.e. accepting Jesus) is nothing more than a waste of time?
Wouldn't you want to stop people from squandering their lives in an attempt to warn others of an inevitable "doom" due to what amounts to a nonexistent danger? If someone is continually trying to shove imaginary "safety" down everyone's throat, shouldn't we at least try to shake them free of their delusion? Or would you leave them to their insistence that everyone accept the "safety" they offer?
2007-09-06 11:58:03 · 27 answers · asked by ZER0 C00L ••AM••VT•• 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
If some tried to 'save' me with that statement I would say:
The road I'm standing on is long and clear of all trucks. I can see for miles and there is no danger. When you can physically show me the truck that is about to run me over by all means feel free to push me out of the way of it. Until such times you are only trying to push me away from an open space which I'm happily enjoying the piece and freedom of.
2007-09-07 07:24:18 · answer #1 · answered by Eye see! 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, what you say makes sense. Let me suggest another scenario. Let's say you're at a party and I see someone poison your drink while you're in the bathroom. When you return, nothing seems wrong to your drink in your eyes, but I have vital, life-saving information. Wouldn't you want to be warned? Or should I just stand by and let you drink the poison and you realize too late what transpired?
This is what Christians are doing. Of course, no one can't see God. Maybe because I have faith and believe, I am trying to help you understand how I believe. So we don't believe our efforts are futile. However, I also feel that no one should keep harassing the same person once they have stated their beliefs to that person either. Anyway, hope this helps. Have a good day.
EDIT:
Seahock, although I admit it's very difficult, nothing is futile. I have come across instances here on R&S of posts from former Atheists who converted to Christianity. So never say never.
M, that's sad that you have to be so hateful. I hope you have a nice day also, and soften your heart.
2007-09-06 20:17:55 · answer #2 · answered by kaz716 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
What, is that reeking heap supposed to be a reasonable argument???
A) If Christians' "efforts are futile," it's because you choose to disbelieve our warnings, not because there's no danger.
B) How did you reason from a "what if" to posit that the danger is "nonexistent," and later, that Christ offers "imaginary 'safety'," and finally, that salvation is a "delusion"? You really ought to try out for the Olympic conclusion-jumping team--you have lots of, ehh, talent!
C) We aren't "squandering our lives." Quite the contrary; we're living according to our beliefs, than which no human life can be put to better use.
D) How can stating our beliefs in R&S be misconstrued as "shoving [them] down everyone's throat"? Please see my advice under "B".
E) If you want to "shake someone free" of what you see as a delusion, may I ask that you start with me? I think that'd be amusing.
F) Christians don't "offer" salvation; it is a gift of God. Nor do we "insist that everyone accept" the gift; we merely consider it a holy duty to let everyone know about it.
God bless you!
2007-09-06 19:35:31 · answer #3 · answered by words for the birds 5 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Yes, it cuts both ways. The Christians could be wrong, or you could be wrong. Sure, you can inform them that there is no danger, but by the same token they have every right -- and to their minds, duty -- to warn you that there is.
I don't know what this shoving down the throat means. How many times, precisely, have you been tied down and had earbuds crammed into your ears to force you to listen to some Christian message? When missionaries of whatever denomination come to my door, I just say, "Not interested, thank you," and close the door. No throat-shoving happening at my house.
But if you do insist on saying that it's being shoved down your throat, then you can't deny that anti-Christian messages are constantly being shoved down the throats of Christians, whether in print, on the internet or on TV.
2007-09-06 19:08:06 · answer #4 · answered by Agellius CM 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I have news for you
The "speeding truck (i.e. sin)" does exist so it's best to keep out of the way of it.
It's not just about avoiding sin but being happy with God in this world and the next.
Give it a try. You'll love it!
2007-09-14 16:11:53 · answer #5 · answered by StretfordEnder 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's just what you believe. Christians believe they are absolutely right and they have a duty to help others by "saving you" from your own sin by showing you the "correct" way, the way of god. But what they do not realize is that no matter how much they believe, no matter how much they try, their efforts really are futile, according to the atheist. It's hard to get it through their head, I know.
2007-09-06 19:06:47 · answer #6 · answered by Uliju 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If I were in my living room, and someone were to push me out of the way of a truck that did not exist, I might be a little angry and concerned for the person.. I would inform them, there is no need to save me from their imaginary truck.. I would likely send them to a mental asylum if they were to repeatedly do it.
What can we actually do about it though? We can argue with them until we are blue in the face and they will still believe. It is a hopeless situation.
2007-09-06 19:06:17 · answer #7 · answered by Jimbo 1 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Not all Christians try to "save" people. I'm an Episcopalian and have had people tell me that because of that, I need to be saved. I am not comfortable telling people things like that. I feel like my friends know what I think and believe and if they want to know something they will ask. So, yes, you should tell them it's futile.
2007-09-06 20:35:37 · answer #8 · answered by Purdey EP 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are a little right and a little wrong. There is a truck, but it's not heading toward us. We are the trucks, and we have to watch out for the other drivers on the road.
2007-09-06 19:09:02 · answer #9 · answered by Nämenlos 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think if I attracted people who wanted to 'save me' I'd get a bit peeved (have you noticed how we Australians are masters of understatement) after a while and I'd have to reveal my alter-ego who is not nice.
I suppose they're too stoopid to understand if you asked how they'd feel if you bailed them up and lectured them about how to live their life according to how a mythical talking sea serpent told you how life should be lived.
It's a pity we have to share our planet with brain-stems, a?
2007-09-07 06:10:24 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋