Why do christians feel the need to try and save everyone they come across?

Question

My maintenance man at my apartment complex came to fix my fridge today, and when he was going to leave, he asked me if I knew whether I was going to heaven. When I told him I didnt believe in the heaven and hell of the bible, or the bible at all, he proceeded to take a good 45 minutes out of my time to tell me about how jesus saved his life and how the apocalypse was coming and how god is personal to every one of our lives.

Now, I told him that I was raised catholic, that I had been to 3 or 4 different churches (including the one he goes to) and made the descision based on everything I learned there that the god that is taught in the bible is just one facet of a god that we will NEVER be able to understand or explain, and every person needs to find what ever spiritual being satisfies them on their own, not through others. And I despise churches and all organized religion for that reason. And still he went on!

Why do christians feel the need to do this? I'm perfectly happy how I am!

Now-- Just to be clear, I am not "trolling", I honestly don't get what goes through their head. This guy didn't know me, so it isn't like he has some vested interest in "saving me". also, I made it clear to him that I wasn't "ignorant", I have a religious background and I made the conscious choice not to accept the god of the bible that has been rewritten to fit the times and the god that starts wars.
BUT, I did not try and tell him why he was wrong, I didnt try and explain the fallacies of the bible, I just let him be happy in his beliefs. So why cant I just be happy in mine? I feel more fulfilled and at peace once I realized that no one on this earth truly knows what god wants and is thinking, so it is a truly personal experience. And I am sure he feel equally as fulfilled in his religion. So why cant we simply live and let live? I don't try and talk people out of their religion, no matter how ridiculous I think it is, so why must others try and talk me out of mine?

Answer 1

some may feel the need to genuinly help you .. others may also on top of that feel that if they dont ur going to blame them in front of the judgment seat for having the opportunity and never trying ..

Answer 2

That's an excellent question, and while you may get a lot of "pats on the back", they won't actually give you an answer.

Christians are concerned about more than just this life, even though this life IS important.

Christians believe that once we've sinned (look up the 10 Commandments to get an abbreviated list of sins, such as lying, stealing, cheating, etc, etc), then we remain guilty, and the penalty is eternal separation from God and all that is good.

The Bible explains that this punishment is "a place of outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth."

Christians are desparately trying to "rescue the perishing" much as a fire fighter tries to rescue those who might be trapped in a burning building.

The only difference between Christians and non-christians is that the christians have admitted their guilt before God and received a pardon, because we believe (put our trust in) Jesus and His death, burial and resurrection, to pay the penalty for OUR sins.

If you EVER come to the place in your life where your sins overwhelm you, and if at that time you cry out to Jesus Christ, and He comes into your heart and forgives your sins and gives you a new heart (and makes you a whole new creation from within), then you will understand exactly why Christians are always trying to persuade others. Once you've experienced the Love and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, it will all become clear. "I was lost, but now I'm found, was blind but now I see."

God bless you in your continued search for Truth in your life.

Answer 3

well they feel they are commanded to do so, it's in the bible but some denominations take it even further. yeah it's a compliment that they care about you BUT really once you say you aren't interested they should stop and just offer an 'if you're ever interested' then thats it. one thing though you say you 'despise all churches and organized religion'...not all are bad, but like in everything there are good and bad ppl, judge on the individual not the whole...that goes for everything from the religious to the atheists. you have your beliefs and thats fine just make sure you aren't basing them on the actions of humans rather than on the real truth...humans will let you down every time. one thing i have noticed is that even atheists and christians on here are very evangelical, they try to turn everyone to their way of thinking. thats fine if they ask but the thing is you know how you feel just make sure you feel that way for the right reasons. don't rebel against god because human beings have been rude, obnoxious, mean to you or have not been perfect...you won't find a one who is. next time someone like that gets pushy with you tell them you appreciate their concern but you understand your choice and it is you alone who needs to make it.

Answer 4

First thing first - stop going to church. I was miserable at church and ever since I left, it has done wonders for my spiritual life. Studying the Scriptures for yourself is so much better than to hear the OPINION of scripture from your pastor. Also, Faith is a lot like love - you must choose to love. You're not always going to have mushy-gushy feelings and emotions. You choose to obey God because you have found truth in Him and trust Him. I'll admit, I just got out of a funk where I felt like I couldn't feel God, and it isn't the first time. You'll have times like this, but you have to work through it. He's there even if you can't feel it. I couldn't feel it, but I trusted that, somehow, he must still be there. As for you and your relationships - why do you think people will hate you? Are you sinning? If so, you just need to work on them, and that fact you feel bad about them is good, it's a sign you want to change for the better.

Answer 5

When I was younger, and read the Bible and heard about the horrible things that would happen to non-believers, I felt terrible and for some reason thought that if I convince them about God's existance, the word would just continue spreading and there will be no suffering on Earth or after life. But as I grew up I realized how many didn't want me to care about them and were so ungrateful so I stopped. The Bible says spread the Word, and that's what I'm trying to do now, not to annoy or feel self rightious but I do it to please God and see if I can save someone...you guys find it offensive only because you do not believe in God, but look at it through a Christians perspective, we or at least I mean well.

Answer 6

I get so flamin tired of you people who sit around stereotyping us. It's so annoying! Does the fact that you seem to be no more than a basher and/or troll mean all atheists are basher/trolls? Nope, it just means that you are. Grow up already. You ran into what sounds like a newbie christian, an "individual" who was actually trying to save your soul, which I'm sure he thought was a good thing , big deal. Some of us know that even though we were instructed to spread the word, it's done, everybody has heard. I don't know anyone who hasn't heard, therefore I feel no need to spread the word that's already been spread. I feel sorry for you, as I feel sorry for all bashers and trolls, seeing as how there must be something missing in their lives to waste their time like this, but I certainly feel no need to try to convert you. Honestly, though most christians I'm sure don't feel like this, I think christians get enough of a bad rap without trying to convert emotional wrecks like bashers and trolls, which would not help our cause at all, we have more than enough nutcases as it is, our nutcase quota is full.

I mean really, you could have simply said "no thank you" and led him to the door. Listening to him for 45 minutes is a bit lame.

Answer 7

I agree with many of the offended Christians who answered that not all Christians do this.

As an atheist, I do find this a small bother. I am firm and polite with anyone who offers to save me.

"No, thanks, I'm an atheist, and I do not wish to be saved. Have a pleasant [afternoon, day, whatever]." It helps that I'm 6'2", I guess, but if you are secure in your belief system, you can communicate effectively with proselytizers, at least effectively enough to end the annoying conversation.

When the person is in your apartment and you might need to ask for his or her help again, however, you are at a disadvantage.

I think in that situation, I would still explain my position the same way, but I would add my reluctance to impose my views on that person, out of courtesy. That might help.

Answer 8

Did you know that the old testament foretold these "soul
saving" denominations in Ezekiel 13? It must be about
them, because souls weren't hunted nor taught to fly/rapture
away until after Jesus; but this chapter so clearly describes this man made doctrine. Passages like, "Will ye hunt the
souls of MY PEOPLE, and WILL YE SAVE the souls alive
that come unto you". It says they do this for "handfuls of
barley and for pieces of bread" in-other-words, for gain.
It says, "I will let the souls go, even the souls that ye hunt
to make them fly" & "WITH LIES ye have made the heart
of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad"; they are
saddened by the false gosple when infact, the gosple is
good news and brings gladness not sadness.

I just learned this on YA from another answerer. Got down
the bible and there it was, plain as day. Jesus' life, death, and resurrection saved his people not these false teachers.

Answer 9

Because all Christians have been commissioned by Christ to do so. If you dont want to believe that is your business. Jesus told us to be sure to wipe our feet when we leave.

Mark 16:15
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Matthew 10:14
And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.

Answer 10

Christians have this thing in them (no matter how many times you tell them) that "saying no means yes". What I mean is that when you say you don't believe, most Christians view it as a cry to be saved or born again. I don't trust religion at all for that reason. Believe what you want and don't let anybody tell you otherwise.

Answer 11

thats more of a new age protestant thing. catholicsm, lutheranism, evangelicism, methodism, presbyterians, and eastern orthodox faiths arent so like that. thats more based on the baptist, jehovas witness, 7th day adventist, church of latter day saints, and some others. the first ones mentioned are not so bible literal. those religions also are based on doctorine, and interpretations of many people. and the bible literal sects think that everything comes straight from the bible no questions asked. that can be very dangerous.