There's probably no better way to turn OFF a non-Christian.
(Affirmation or opinions on that by non-Christians are invited, herein.)
So to those Christians who feel inclined to proselytize, may I suggest that you leave some tracts lying around, instead, that exemplify the love God showed us via the sacrifice of His Son for our sins, so that we could all have eternal life with Him?
People can either take or leave those tracts. And if God wants someone to come to Him, He can guide the person to pick one up, read it, and take it to heart. Don't you think that would be a FAR better way to do it? Rather than to verbally rub "eternity" in non-believers' faces.
2007-09-12 10:15:42 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
To "That Guy" -- The Chick tracts are the best, in my opinion. I always love it when new ones come out. I've handed out Russian-language ones in Moscow, and in cities and towns along the Volga River.
One caveat about those, though... the Chick folks have a bigoted view toward abortion and homosexuality, and they're off the deep end on Halloween and witchcraft. Those are good tracts to AVOID... and I used none of those hateful and kooky ones in Russia.
Did you know you can view and print out any and all of their tracts, past and present, from their website? Just go to: www.chick.com.
2007-09-12 11:07:49 · update #1
The problem is probably point of view. Believers approach their proselytization from a believer's point of view. They can't deal with reality so they treat life as some kind of rehearsal and only take the afterlife seriously. As far as they're concerned, people are just goofing around playing this virtual reality game called life when they should be thinking about that "real" life after they finish the game.
To a non-believer, this is eight kinds of nuts. Why would you put more credence in a"life" you can't see than in one you can? "Game" or not, we should operate where we find ourselves, assume that the people and situations we meet are real, and treat them accordingly. Then if there IS something else, at least we won't enter into it as paranoid jerks.
Yeah, they need to do some marketing surveys.
2007-09-12 10:44:10 · answer #1 · answered by skepsis 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Since you, as well as the silly questioners you refer to, are oblivious to the fact that NOW is the only aspect of time eternally with us, that god is not a daddy-deity but the responsive field of reality we jointly inhabit, that death and resurrection of the Christ is symbolic of ego death and return to authentic being, the question is NOT obnoxious only lacking in the most elementary understanding.
2007-09-12 10:35:16 · answer #2 · answered by MysticMaze 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Let me tell you, I love those tracts. I collect them! Especially the Chick tracts. Someone leaves a random assortment of tracts in the bathroom where I work, and I am always thrilled to see a new one. Recently I've been thinking about writing to New Life Ministries in Pensacola with an item-by-item refutation of their "Wine" tract. Say what you want about my soul, there is NO reason to go bad mouthing wine!
2007-09-12 10:26:15 · answer #3 · answered by That Guy 4 · 3⤊ 3⤋
Thank you. :)
I keep seeing around here that the final judgment is in God's hands. So do those who make those statements realize that not only is that decision in his hands, but that God probably doesn't like his followers condemning anyone, anywhere? I don't think he would need or want anyone speaking on his behalf.
I'm a non-believer who respects the rights all of us have to worship as we choose, if we choose to at all. I only ask for the same courtesy in return, and condemning me to hell is less than courteous, whether I believe in it or not.
2007-09-12 10:37:31 · answer #4 · answered by Sookie 6 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Well, I'm a non-Christian and I'm not phased by the question. I think it IS rude, because it presumes that I lack a higher knowledge and/or a spirituality - so, actually, the question is condescending.
I simply put no stock in the question or the motives behind it.
2007-09-12 10:38:47 · answer #5 · answered by ? 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Everyone needs the opportunity to be challenged by such statements, as Christians, it is our commission to go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every person. The Gospel is one of challenge about the reality of hell as well as the love of God.
2007-09-12 11:18:44 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
God would be a strange creature indeed to create masses, only to pick up his favorites and show them the way, while leaving the rest to decay and rot in the ground...
2007-09-12 10:23:36 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
I always just answer yes and leave it at that lol It's hard to scare me with a place I don't believe exists. That's like trying to scare me with Santa Claus for not being a good girl.
2007-09-12 10:28:59 · answer #8 · answered by ~Heathen Princess~ 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Very obnoxious, especially because the person asking you the question does not know either....they just think they do.
2007-09-12 10:24:47 · answer #9 · answered by universatile love 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋
You have to give them a break, some people really have nothing better to do with their time.
2007-09-13 07:21:43 · answer #10 · answered by OurLadyOf Perpetual Indulgence 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋