Evangelization

[XanFan]

I am asking this in a very sincere manner.

I was raised Catholic, but have since looked more to the earth-based religions. My beliefs are complex, to say the least. Do I think there is a higher power? Yes. There is an energy and a power I believe canot be explained.

I have many friends of many faiths: Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, Christian, atheist. They lead generally good lives. They are wonderful people with wonderful families.

Can I truly say to them that I think they are wrong for believing what they believe? Is it really my place to tell them what to believe? Is their faith wrong? Why do some Christians believe that the only path to the higher power is their way? Why do some Christians feel that they must convert others? (And I do know that it is some. I am *not* generalizing that *all* Christians do this.)

You see, I am beginning to think that all religions are connected. That each culture worships the higher power in the way that works for that culture. That living a good, decent life is more important than *why* someone leads that good, decent life.

Whew. That took a long time to write. And longer to actually decide to post. I hope I haven't offended; like I said, I do mean this in a sincere way, and not as a challenge to anyone else's faith.

[larrypotter]

i dont know what to say i am not at all afended by what you said i am a christian and i believe that the reason we try to *convert* others is because the bible says that if you have not excepted jesus into your heart you will go to hell.What you said about all worshippers worshipping a higher power is wrong because they choose not to worship God saying that their "god" is better so thats...what i believe.

merry christmas to all!!!!

[thethirdman]

You can accept that Jesus was a great man, and want to live by his principles, and not be Christian. Jesus' principles are not unique to Christianity.

I was raised Catholic, but now I'm Shinto-Buddhist/Pagan. Like you I realized that all religions share similarities. I believe that how you live is more important than what you worship.

[busy91]

I myself am Pagan but used to be Catholic. The Bible says for Christians to go out in the world and spread the word (or something to that nature).

I for one do not tell anyone what they believe is wrong. It isn't wrong, it is right for them. Religion is man made, spirituality is connected.

I believe Jesus existed and was a good man, I just don't believe he was "The Son".

[tgraveline]

well to explain the christian aspect as a missionary type person myself. Well for us, its in the great commission as we call it. Where jesus tells us to go out and make disciples of one another. Though that is not for everyone really. Many get caught on by saying you have to do this and that. When they really should just live by example, and if there is something good about you that someone else sees and likes, let them ask you about it. The reason we think its the only way, is because we want to go to heaven, and god say i am the way the truth and the light, and none come to the father except through me.

Hope that explains a little bit to you, but i'm sure you already knew that, so not sure why you are confused by why we feel that need. I guess its that joy that some people get to the feeling of being found and loved by something greater than themselves.

tg

[Babygurl0702]

i prsonaly dont like religion. i believe in god and jesus. some people would say im christian. i think religion has gotten to currupt and i dont like the ways some churches are more emotion based than bible based. i agree that most religions are connected. this is a really intresting topic but i dont believe there is a rite answer. i mean if people want to go out there and convert ppl go ahead they have that freedom but the person lisening has the choice to accept or decline. i think everybody is entitled to ones one opinion and no one should be judge on what they believe. :)

[daniel4hp]

Among Christians there are a variety of beliefs regarding "evangelism." In general terms, more conservative Christians believe in the need of converting non-believers, while more liberal Christians are typically more willing to let others live their own lives as they please. However, there are more gradients than this, and one's belief about heaven and hell does not always fully corrospond to their view of missions and evangelism.


Christians' views on heaven and hell: Traditionally, the Church has held that only people who are "saved" go to heaven. There have been a variety of views on what makes you saved -- faith in Jesus has always been central, but some churches place more emphesis on works and Church membership while others stress only a personal relationship with Jesus. These beliefs are based on various traditional interpretations of the Bible.

However, today, some Christians no longer believe that one must be "saved." Some view Jesus as only one of many ways to achieve eternal life -- that while Christianity is true, so is Judaism, Islam, etc., and that you can attain salvation through these faiths as well. Others believe that Jesus' death redeamed not only those who put their faith in him, but everyone, so that even if you do not "accept Jesus into your heart," you will still go to heaven because of Jesus' sacrafice. More liberal views of Biblical interpretation can support these beliefs.


Christians' views on missions: missions has always included several elements, including conversion, but also humanitarian aims. Typically, in the past, mission works were primarilly for the purpose of "converting the heathens," but today, especially in more mainstream and liberal Churches, missions has become more about showing by example, thus shifting the main goal of missions in some churches to humanitarian works. In more conservative Churches, the focus remains on conversion, although, as always, missionaries seek to help the local peoples.


Christians' views on evangelism: the purpose of evangelism differs depending on one's beliefs about heaven and hell. For those Christians who believe that unbelievers will go to hell, there is obviously the purpose of saving non-Christians so that they can go to heaven. This is supported by Jesus' "Great Commission," in which he commanded his apostles to "make disciples" of other peoples. Conservative Christians interpret this as meaning coverting non-Christians.

Those who believe that Jesus' death automatically saved everyone obviously do not believe that they must save non-Christians from the "fires of hell." However, many still fulfil the Great Commission by sharing Jesus' sacrafice with others, seeking to bring them to an understanding of God's love (and thus making them Christians). Those who believe in a variety of saviors are least likely to see a need for evangelism, although obviously the beliefs of each person will differ.

[XanFan]

Thanks for the posts and answers. I guess I'll answer a couple of points and maybe that will help explain my confusion.

When they really should just live by example, and if there is something good about you that someone else sees and likes, let them ask you about it. The reason we think its the only way, is because we want to go to heaven, and god say i am the way the truth and the light, and none come to the father except through me.

Hope that explains a little bit to you, but i'm sure you already knew that, so not sure why you are confused by why we feel that need. I guess its that joy that some people get to the feeling of being found and loved by something greater than themselves.

I really like the first part of what you said here: live by example. And I'm thrilled that so many people have found their way through Christianity. I mean that.

I guess my question is, if I don't believe in those same things, why do others feel the need to tell me I won't be accepted into heaven?

Let's just say you live a wonderful life. You get married, have kids, raise them properly to be wonderful people. You treat your co-workers with respect. You treat your friends well. You don't lie, cheat or steal. You go to church.

Let's say I have a wonderful life. I get married, have kids, raise them properly to be wonderful people. I treat my co-workers with respect. I treat my friends well. I don't lie, cheat or steal. But I don't go to church.

How is my life any less important than anyone else's?

And, to daniel4hp, thank you for a (lengthy!) and well-thought out answer. I guess what I don't understand is why some more fundamental Christians care what I believe and what I do. If I'm not hurting them, why does it matter how I live my life?

[SGosling]

what I don't understand is why some more fundamental Christians care what I believe and what I do. If I'm not hurting them, why does it matter how I live my life?

I think I can answer the last question. If they are true Christians and really believe that their own God is the only God, and only through belief and worship of him, will you be saved from the fires of hell, and eternal damnation? It follows that they would be thinking for their fellow man, and by following their heart and a Christian need to prevent suffering to others, they would spread their word and faith to save the eternal soul of their friends and acquaintances.
I mean, if you knew that a shopping mall was on fire and about to fall down, you would you try to stop people from going in, wouldn’t you? :huh:

Even if they ignored, as a decent human being, you would at least try. That is how real Christians see it.

Why most Christians try and convert people I don’t know, a need to interfere in the life of others, an need to feel better than other poor souls, lack of a real life, or as a way of compensating for a joyless life. Who knows?

My brother is a member of a evangelical mission church, it goes out into the local multiracial community, in order to provide support for those less well off than , they have preschool crèches and toddler groups,they hold English classes and teach computer skills. If is wasn’t for the cross on the roof you would think it was a just a village school. This church has been reaching out for several hundred years to the poor and the needy, but they never preach or tell you that their god is better than your god is; they try to lead by example, they have even welcomed me.


Do unto other as you would be done by, but do it first, is a very good way to lead your life. I mean that in a good way, don’t sit around and say someone should do something about this and that go and do it yourself, and get your mates to help, :tu:

[tgraveline]

hey there again man, well i hope i didn't make a gender bender there.

anyways, well for one thing, your life is certainly not less important. That is really something that bothers me about a lot of christians, they feel they have something more, which is true, but they keep it to themselves, they do not give, they do not do what the bible tells them really. Most people get on this whole condemnation thing which i think is what bothers you the most. When honestly a lot of churches have gotten off track and worked to much to evangelize rather than work on their own members they have to be loving people. Heres an example. Homosexuality is something that i will say most christians disagree with. What do they do though, they shun them, which really drives me nuts cause we really are called by god, well to our belief system if it offends anyone that i call my god the god and what not. Anyways we are called to truly love everyone more than ourselves. Its really a goal to be selfless i think that is what is to be gained in our walk with christ. Though we have the thing called human error and sin. The problem with this post now is that it can cause so many more topics really.

Let me baseline it for you as best as i can right now with a stomach full of sweets. If any christian acts like they are better than you for that reason, you really should tell them to read the bible again, i would strongly encourage you to do that. Mainly cause christians really have given themselves a bad name in many ways. We should be the people serving and helping and giving as that is what is asked of us, but many are selfish and i will admit i'm not a perfect example either at all. All i can hope to do really is be as good as i can.

Now i see what you mean, if you are nice and all and do great things for people and really live a life that would be basically the same as or even better than a christian, why shouldn't i go to heaven. Well i think its because we truly believe Jesus is the only way through the gates. What i really stress for myself at least is a personal relationship with god, where i can talk with him and really have an encounter with him. You don't need to have church, but the relationship is what he wants i believe. The thing is, he gave us the choice, its our decision.

I also know what you mean about different religions flowing into one another. i think that was this thread, read it earlier today. If not just disregard this part, lol. There is certainly a mix with judaism and christianity, without the first, the latter would not exist in whole. It would be more like the mormon religion. Like its own half, but the prophesies in the old testament are fullfilled in the new. Now we just have to wait and see if we had it right in that sense, and if not, oh well. lol

tg