I'm Heathen/Pagan. I worship the gods of my ancestors - the Germanic/Norse gods. I practice magick. I feel complete with my choice of religion/craft.
My question is, why do Christians feel the need to "save my soul" and others like me? Why do they CARE what happens to my soul - lost or not? Why would they FORCE me to worship what they worship even if it made me unhappy? Besides, wouldn't it be aweful boring if everyone did the same thing - what would there be to talk about??!
2007-11-18 15:15:14 · 24 answers · asked by Heathen Mage 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Jesus cares? I'm sure he cares about his people, I don't recall Jesus condeming anyone if they didn't choose to follow him. He talked to those that wanted to listen - he didn't hunt people down to convert them. If Christians are supposed to be so "Christ-like" leave those of us that don't want conversion alone and talk to those that want to listen. Thanks.
2007-11-18 15:38:34 · update #1
tator: I'm sorry, but that's freeken scary. Stop trying to "save" the world and keep it in your own home.
2007-11-18 15:40:52 · update #2
I'm an atheist, but I've always thought that if you believe completely and utterly that someone who is not a Christian is condemning themselves to an eternity of torture, then it must be very hard to watch them do that. It must be like watching someone get addicted to drugs, or stand by as they commit suicide.
I don't believe what they believe, but I think that versions of their belief lead them to think that I'm in terrible danger.
2007-11-19 04:22:02 · answer #1 · answered by garik 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Part of their religion is to go forth and convert the unbelievers. They feel they are not practicing their beliefs if they don't try. At several points in history, they spread the good word with a sword.
IMHO, no one can "force" you to believe or disbelieve anything. You can be forced to kneel before the altar, even say the words, but they cannot control your thoughts.
In the unlikely event that we all shared a common religious belief, there would still be differences. Attend a congregational meeting sometime (where evryone nominally believes the same thing) and listen to the bickering.
2007-11-18 23:27:35 · answer #2 · answered by Computer Guy 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
waes hael!
They believe that Jesus told them to. Matthew cd28 v 19 RSV
'Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,'
It has nothing to do with caring about you, they are all automations who must blindly follow what it says in the bible. This is not out of love but out of fear of damnation and through threats and coercion.
If they get you to worship their God then that is one more soul saved and they can tell themselves that they are 'good people' for doing what god commanded. Either way they do it for the benefit of their own souls and not yours so don't be fooled.
Yes it would be awfully boring if everybody thought the same
2007-11-19 10:02:28 · answer #3 · answered by freyatru 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Force has nothing to do with it. Heavenly Father doesn't FORCE His children to believe in Him and repent of their iniquities. We all have been given the gift of free agency by Heavenly Father. He wanted us to choose rather than be compelled to love Him and find ultimate joy in His presence in the next life. You asked, "Why do they CARE what happens to my soul- lost or not?" The answer to that is simple. According to my theology, all human beings are spirit brothers and sisters of one another. Heavenly Father loves us all because we are His children. He had begotten us in the eternities past and we agreed to be sent to earth in order to grow to become more like Him. All of us got into this deal knowing full well what success entailed and also what failure entailed. Success would mean a reunion with the Father we all love and a fullness of joy everlasting. Failure would mean an eternal separation from our Heavenly Father because 'no unclean thing can dwell in His presence.' Once a person has tasted of the incomprehensible love of our Heavenly Father towards His children, we share a portion of that love for our brothers and sisters who we now remember are, indeed, are own brothers and sister on the same journey to be reunited with Heavenly Father.
2007-11-18 23:23:09 · answer #4 · answered by Arthurpod 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
All Christians have a ministry of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; Christians can't make you worship their God because you have a free will. But our job is to tell you that the Lord Jesus Christ died for your sins and if you would believe and trust in what He has done for you then you to can have salvation and miss hell. If you go to hell God does not send you there, you choose to go.
2007-11-18 23:27:37 · answer #5 · answered by Ray W 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A Child of God can NOT force anyone to change..... if there is one trying to *force* you, then I suggest you run the other way..... By force is NOT in the Bible..... I repeat *the word *force* is NOT in Gods Word....... and I and others care, very strongly about everyone on this earth..... That is WHAT a Christian is..... a Holy Spirit filled temple of God..... full of compassion, carring, love, hope, faith, belief.... We have no other choice in Jesus but to care...... The fruit of a *true* Child of God is that we do LOVE ...... and care.... love is gentle and kind...... go in peace........ God bless
2007-11-18 23:22:50 · answer #6 · answered by Annie 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
People who are Saved have the Holy Spirit living inside of Their Spirits.
The Holy Spirit is GOD Almighty.
GOD Almighty Loves EveryBody and Wants EveryBody back in to Heaven with HIM.
Spirits can do this Thing.
2007-11-18 23:24:39 · answer #7 · answered by maguyver727 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
We care about you. What is so wrong with a Sister or Brother caring about you spending a horrible eternity? Love is the driving force.
No one is FORCING anyone. We don`t want you to be forced into anything. If you don`t believe, it hurts God, But we do NOT want you to be unhappy. Neither does God. You can`t worship if, you don`t FEEL it. So it is rather pointless to try to force you to do it. It is meaningless without the love.. That is what worship is, LOVE...
Peace & God bless from Texas. <><
2007-11-18 23:23:56 · answer #8 · answered by jaantoo1 6 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Random Christians probably don't; they're just trying not to feel guilty about ignoring the pastor's message to evangelize. A Christian who is your friend cares because they want to be with you in eternity, not apart from you.
2007-11-18 23:25:11 · answer #9 · answered by Jesika 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Just once, I'd like to read that a Christian respects our own personal beliefs and trusts OUR faith that we're going to be okay under the guidance of our own gods.
.
2007-11-18 23:45:36 · answer #10 · answered by Safe Sax 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋