Lets PRETEND for a minute I despise Atheists and Homosexuals, becuase I think they are full of sin. By telling them they are evil, bound for Hell, but God loves em, am I going to win them over?
OR, is it better to say, Well, I may not agree......and then continue to know them, and love them anyway, and let God deal with the rest?
How often does rudness, and condemnation actually win someone over, when it comes to religion?
(I said PRTEND because I do not feel that way, check my previous Q&A)
Anonymous2006-12-21T13:05:19Z
Favorite Answer
No, I prefer to lead by example. But, I do tell of the Good News, as Jesus said I should. A Blessed Christmas to you.
It doesn't work. I'm sure the Christians (and any other Religious person who deals with individuals in this way) would not want an Atheist, Homosexual, Pagan or any other "Non" treating them that way.
Condemnation, the whole "God loves you so much he died for you and if you don't believe that then you're going to hell", usually works the opposite way. Too many use these images which are contradictory to their first statements about God being love. No one wants to be part of something that is that contradictory and hypocritical.
I think that you are right. Further I think that this practice hinders our common goal as Christians to come to know God and shows a lack of Faith in God's ability to change people in His time as He sees fit. What I mean is God says all our hearts are naturally evil and I am quite sure while you are busy taking inventory of your neighbors personality flaws you are far too busy to deal with your own flaws that God says we all have. How can one be God Centered and more worried about comparing their lives to other peoples and coming up superior to other people when in fact we should examine our lives and compare them to the Lord's when He was here and then we will come up short every time. It is like some Christians forget we are on a journey and have not arrived yet. Anyway until people realize the love and sacrifice of God then they are unwilling to look at them selves and compare themselves to God and more importantly they are not able to change unless they ask the Lord to remove their personality flaws.
I think going with the "OR" statement works better. They know where you stand...and without judging or condemning them, allowing God to do the rest, I think we will reach many more souls for Christ.
The Great Commission (Matt. 28) does not tell us to brow beat, condemn or kill anyone for not believing. We are to spread the Good News about Jesus and baptize (those that want it) in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
We are to show God's light through us...He as set us apart. When others see we are set apart, they will want what we have...Jesus Christ. (That's not arrogance, it's confidence though Jesus.)
I can't figure out why you got a thumb's down for this, so I've given you a thumb's up to offset it. As a Wiccan who has been brow beaten more than once, I can tell you unequivocally that it does not work, and I have much more respect for those who hold their beliefs and let me hold mine, because I would never try to convince a Christian that they should reject Jesus and start worshipping the Lord and Lady.