OT: religion

[zk]

[quote=flyer]If someone forces their views upon you, just tell them you’re not interested, as you have stated here.

I’ve told many people who insisted on sharing their beliefs with me that I’m not interested because I’m very happy and secure in my own beliefs, and, frankly, have no interest whatsoever in their beliefs–or lack thereof.

Sometimes you have to be firm, but, it can be done.[/quote]

Sure, it can be done. But it shouldn’t have to be done. It’s like a guy hitting on a girl who’s clearly out of his league (in that there’s very little chance she’ll want to hear anything he has to say), and persisting despite her clear lack of interest until she has to be firm about it. That’s downright rude. Same as trying to convert a stranger. Not a crime. Not even a huge deal. But quite rude and quite ignorant.

[scaredyclassic]

Matthew 28:19. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations.”

New testaments pretty clear.

Get fresh recruits …other citation support that.

It’s not irritating from the converters point if view. He us literally trying to save your soul so that you don’t spend all eternity rotting in hell.

You should be grateful

[flyer]

We are extremely grateful for our beliefs, but realize not everyone shares them–just as we do not share their beliefs. We respect that, and expect others to do the same for us. It’s true that many “believers” feel it is their duty to “convert,” but we don’t. To each his or her own.

IMO, that philosophy should apply to many aspects of life. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been contacted by people who have tried to “convert” me to their way of financial thinking–because, of course–they just happen to be the only person on earth who has been blessed with the amazing, stupendous, revelatory knowledge of how to turn seven figures into eight.

When you check out their net worth it makes it very clear that religion is not the only place you find “false prophets.” Talk about rude and ignorant.

[zk]

[quote=scaredyclassic]Matthew 28:19. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations.”

New testaments pretty clear.

Get fresh recruits …other citation support that.

It’s not irritating from the converters point if view. He us literally trying to save your soul so that you don’t spend all eternity rotting in hell.

You should be grateful[/quote]

Yeah, let’s start throwing bible quotes around and see if we can’t come up with a thousand reasons to call followers of that book rude, ignorant, or countless other unflattering adjectives.

[scaredyclassic]

Well. Ok. This isn’t weird, outdated, out of context bible quoting … this is a reality for millions of Americans today.

this was one quote to support the general duty to evangelize and spread the good word. I’m not implying it’s rude to do so. I’m saying from the Christian point of view you have a responsibility to let people know about Jesus. You’d be amiss to not let others know about the greatness that is jesus. You can’t get into heaven otherwise. It’s a service. For Mormons and jehovahs witnesses it’s not even optional.

[zk]

[quote=scaredyclassic]Well. Ok. This isn’t weird, outdated, out of context bible quoting … this is a reality for millions of Americans today.

this was one quote to support the general duty to evangelize and spread the good word. I’m not implying it’s rude to do so. I’m saying from the Christian point of view you have a responsibility to let people know about Jesus. You’d be amiss to not let others know about the greatness that is jesus. You can’t get into heaven otherwise. It’s a service. For Mormons and jehovahs witnesses it’s not even optional.[/quote]

Yes, it’s a reality for millions of Americans. And yes, from their point of view they have that responsibility. None of that changes the fact that it’s rude and ignorant. My point was that, just because it’s in the bible and just because it’s their responsibility according to the bible, doesn’t make it any less rude or any less ignorant. There are countless indefensible quotes in the bible, and to imply that something is ok because it’s in the bible doesn’t fly.

[scaredyclassic]

I think many converters have a strange fantasy that there are vast hordes of Americans who simplyb h Avent been told about Jesus and the good news about getting saved. That’s why they have to let you know … it’s like letting people in on a legal little known tax break. It’s just so great. The word isntvout. It’s free money. How could you not want to hear about it?

[zk]

[quote=scaredyclassic]I think many converters have a strange fantasy that there are vast hordes of Americans who simplyb h Avent been told about Jesus and the good news about getting saved. That’s why they have to let you know … it’s like letting people in on a legal little known tax break. It’s just so great. The word isntvout. It’s free money. How could you not want to hear about it?[/quote]

That is a strange fantasy. Not as strange as some of the ones I have. But strange nonetheless.

[scaredyclassic]

On the other hand if you catch people at a strangely desperate life moment you just might be luckyvenough to snare another soul for the Lord. Both Matthew and mark agree that Jesus said “follow me and I will make you fishers of men”. That’s a central duty and it’s definitely not live and let live. Get some more fish hooked, reel Em in, serve Em up to the Lord.

The unsaved are like fish. Dead eyes swimming mindlessly in a sea oof sin. But once hooked by the Lord you get to be something new and completely different. Awesome.

Rudeness requires a certain intent. Christian converters are just kind of pitying at best or oblivious at worst to other possible narratives of how reality works.

[zk]

[quote=scaredyclassic]
Rudeness requires a certain intent. Christian converters are just kind of pitying at best or oblivious at worst to other possible narratives of how reality works.[/quote]

That gives them a benefit of the doubt that I’m not sure I’m willing to give them. Perhaps they know there’s no chance you’ll convert, and they know they’re annoying you, but they want to get to heaven, so they’re selfishly annoying you to achieve their own goal.

[scaredyclassic]

I’m guilty of being equally rude.

Sometimes I pretend to have never heard of jesus.

That’s gets their excitement level through the roof….

Then when they start I say Oooooohhhhhh. That jesus! Yeah I already have a religious identity. But thanks.”

[scaredyclassic]

But I haven’t done that for a long time.

[zk]

[quote=scaredyclassic]

Oooooohhhhhh. That jesus! [/quote]

Hilarious!

[scaredyclassic]

seems like better marketing to make the entry a little more difficult.

[Allan from Fallbrook]

[quote=scaredyclassic]I’m guilty of being equally rude.

Sometimes I pretend to have never heard of jesus.

That’s gets their excitement level through the roof….

Then when they start I say Oooooohhhhhh. That jesus! Yeah I already have a religious identity. But thanks.”[/quote]

Scaredy: You’re treating all Christians as if they all believe the same things, from a dogmatic standpoint. This isn’t true.

It would be akin to treating all Jews, Orthodox or no, as Hasidim.

Amongst evangelical Christians, there is a strong desire to proselytize. Unfortunately, their view of God’s word isn’t the same as held by other denominations, Catholics being the largest. As a Catholic, I believe the bible is contextual, not literal, and even a brief reading of Spinoza exposes the many flaws and contradictions in the Bible.

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