athiesm...why do people always try to "save" me?

DESTROY US ALL! · **Posted:** Sat Jun 25, 2005 9:00 pm

my self and speaking for other athiests....why do religious people try to convert or "save" athiests i mean some people need to back off.

IantheGecko · **Posted:** Sat Jun 25, 2005 9:41 pm

As Christians, we want to save non-believers so that we may spend eternity with God in Heaven, & not in Hell, where we will be punished eternally for our sins. It's only by God's loving grace that we are saved:

John 3:16 wrote:

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

*bows*

Color Printer · **Posted:** Sat Jun 25, 2005 9:58 pm

IantheGecko wrote:

As Christians, we want to save non-believers so that we may spend eternity with God in Heaven, & not in Hell, where we will be punished eternally for our sins.

*claps*

Pretty much what I was going to say.

Upsilon · **Posted:** Fri Jul 01, 2005 10:00 am

Is that true? That you'll be punished with Hell for not attempting to make converts? I thought it was simply a matter of 'grace'.

Slaughter · **Posted:** Fri Jul 01, 2005 12:48 pm

IantheGecko wrote:

As Christians, we want to save non-believers so that we may spend eternity with God in Heaven, & not in Hell, where we will be punished eternally for our sins.

Rock On!!! :-D

Upsilon wrote:

Is that true? That you'll be punished with Hell for not attempting to make converts? I thought it was simply a matter of 'grace'.

No No. You heard him wrong. As christians we are going to heaven. We want to tell unbelievers what'sgoing to appen to them so they may possibly relize the truth. We're not going to be punished for not telling unbelievers but we WANT to tell them.

ModestlyHotGirl · **Posted:** Fri Jul 01, 2005 4:11 pm

I'm not religious by any stretch of the imagination, but I have friends (some of whom are on this forum) who are. And that's cool. I respect people's beliefs, regardless of the fact that they may conflict with mine (To a point, kids. I don't mean I support racism or any sort of bigotry or anything like that, which is cool, because I wouldn't be friends with people like that anyway).

I don't try to change the beliefs of anyone else, and I appreciate it if they don't try to change mine. And I think that's the way it ought to be. Por exemplay: Seethroo and I get along just great although he's a Christian-type guy and I'm not (Christian or a guy).

In my opinion, one of the greatest virtues is that of tolerance. Accept others the way they are, whether that means looking past their tattoos and piercings to see that they're not mean or scary people after all, or looking past the differing beliefs/viewpoints of your friends to see that, deep down, all we all want is for ourselves and those we care about to be happy. Right?

Now, if it's a part of your religious doctrine to try to convert others (I think Jehovah's Witnesses follow this, but if I'm wrong, I apologize), that's cool too. Just don't get upset with me when I decline.

DESTROY US ALL! · **Posted:** Fri Jul 01, 2005 4:29 pm

my sentiments excatly

Quote:

religious by any stretch of the imagination, but I have friends (some of whom are on this forum) who are. And that's cool. I respect people's beliefs, regardless of the fact that they may conflict with mine (To a point, kids. I don't mean I support racism or any sort of bigotry or anything like that, which is cool, because I wouldn't be friends with people like that anyway).

I don't try to change the beliefs of anyone else, and I appreciate it if they don't try to change mine. And I think that's the way it ought to be. Por exemplay: Seethroo and I get along just great although he's a Christian-type guy and I'm not (Christian or a guy).

In my opinion, one of the greatest virtues is that of tolerance. Accept others the way they are, whether that means looking past their tattoos and piercings to see that they're not mean or scary people after all, or looking past the differing beliefs/viewpoints of your friends to see that, deep down, all we all want is for ourselves and those we care about to be happy. Right?

Now, if it's a part of your religious doctrine to try to convert others (I think Jehovah's Witnesses follow this, but if I'm wrong, I apologize), that's cool too. Just don't get upset with me when I decline.

StrongCanada · **Posted:** Fri Jul 01, 2005 4:39 pm

As a Christian, I've never tried to "save" someone who was not willing. I think it undermines Christianity to try and push our beliefs on others. By definition, we are supposed to be loving, tolerant, kind, etc., and there are those out there (getting all the press coverage) who aren't like that at all, and it saddens me.

But if I ever had a friend (or anyone) who came to me and said, "Teach me about Jesus/God", I'd be more than happy to do whatever I could to help them (which would probably be pointing them to someone more knowledgeable than I).

I will defend my beliefs, and explain my beliefs (which is what I've been doing in the R&P forums) - I have a right to that just as much as anyone who has a different opinion....and if your opinion is different, I will listen out of respect - but I won't force my beliefs on anyone.

Cmarbagoi · **Posted:** Fri Jul 01, 2005 6:41 pm

Dude, I totally know how you feel. I'm not atheist, but I'm jewish. Almost everyday at school last year, I was the subject of jew jokes and people told me my religion was "wrong".

Ugh.

StrongCanada · **Posted:** Fri Jul 01, 2005 6:56 pm

Cmarbagoi wrote:

Dude, I totally know how you feel. I'm not atheist, but I'm jewish. Almost everyday at school last year, I was the subject of jew jokes and people told me my religion was "wrong".

Ugh.

You go to school with some very closed-minded (and probably young and inexperienced) people.

Cmarbagoi · **Posted:** Fri Jul 01, 2005 7:11 pm

StrongCanada wrote:

Cmarbagoi wrote:

Dude, I totally know how you feel. I'm not atheist, but I'm jewish. Almost everyday at school last year, I was the subject of jew jokes and people told me my religion was "wrong".

Ugh.

You go to school with some very closed-minded (and probably young and inexperienced) people.

Luckily though, next year I'm going to a high-school with many open-minded people, so don't worry.

Didymus · **Posted:** Fri Jul 01, 2005 11:37 pm

For anyone who wants to know why we Christians feel obligated to share our faith, check out these words of Jesus.

Jitka · **Posted:** Fri Jul 01, 2005 11:48 pm

StrongCanada wrote:

But if I ever had a friend (or anyone) who came to me and said, "Teach me about Jesus/God", I'd be more than happy to do whatever I could to help them (which would probably be pointing them to someone more knowledgeable than I).

I feel the same way, but I have to wonder how many people in this day and age don't know anything about Christianity and Jesus' life to begin with. I doubt many people in America or Canada can say something like, "You know, lately I've been hearing things about some guy named Jesus. What can you tell me about him?" This is why I don't think that missionaries (except for those who go to places where there is absolutely NO contact with the outside world AT ALL) are really necessary anymore. Most people know about Christianity, and if they know about it and still aren't Christian, there's not a whole bunch a few missionaries will be able to do to change their minds, which I think is fine.

By the way, I'm Catholic, if you were wondering.

Cmarbagoi · **Posted:** Fri Jul 01, 2005 11:57 pm

I totally respect Christianity. In fact, most of my friends are christian. But the thing is, some of us live in America. In America, there's a little thing called the first ammendment. Sometimes, people totally violate it.

Upsilon · **Posted:** Sat Jul 02, 2005 3:00 pm

Slaughter wrote:

Upsilon wrote:

Is that true? That you'll be punished with Hell for not attempting to make converts? I thought it was simply a matter of 'grace'.

No No. You heard him wrong.

Well, actually what he said was:

Quote:

we want to save non-believers so that we may spend eternity with God in Heaven

Fair enough, though.

Jimmie · **Posted:** Sat Jul 02, 2005 3:13 pm

Upsilon wrote:

Slaughter wrote:

Upsilon wrote:

Is that true? That you'll be punished with Hell for not attempting to make converts? I thought it was simply a matter of 'grace'.

No No. You heard him wrong.

Well, actually what he said was:

Quote:

we want to save non-believers so that we may spend eternity with God in Heaven

Fair enough, though.

I'm pretty sure he meant "we" as in us Christians AND the converts.

IantheGecko · **Posted:** Sat Jul 02, 2005 6:56 pm

Thank you, Jimmie!

Jimmie · **Posted:** Sun Jul 03, 2005 12:11 am

You're welcome. :-D

Didymus · **Posted:** Sun Jul 03, 2005 2:42 am

CLICK!

Mr. Sparkle · **Posted:** Sun Jul 03, 2005 7:47 am

Didymus wrote:

CLICK!

I agree with that, we shouldn't boast it and that it is God that saves them not us.

Duct Tape Patrol · **Posted:** Sun Jul 03, 2005 8:34 am

Christians are supposed to explain Chritst to other non-believers in order to possibly encourage the person to consider converting to christianity. The point isn't to automatically make the person change their lifestyle, but to plant the seed, and let God do the rest, but only if they are willing to give Him a chance.

Upsilon · **Posted:** Sun Jul 03, 2005 2:02 pm

Jimmie Johnson wrote:

I'm pretty sure he meant "we" as in us Christians AND the converts.

My mistake.

AwesomeAndrew · **Posted:** Mon Jul 04, 2005 5:30 am

We, Christians, dont do the saving. Jesus does. Like previously mentioned, we are just planting the seed. God does the rest in their hearts.

PizzaTrophy · **Posted:** Mon Jul 04, 2005 6:58 am

I wouldn't call myself a religious person, although I was baptised Lutheran (to keep my dad's parents happy) and raised as a Catholic, doing all Catholic ceremonies and going to Catholic schools. I don't actively follow my religion or go to church.

I was dating a guy a few years back who was a strong Lutheran and we spent a long conversation on the phone one time where he was really trying to covert me and he just wouldn't quit. He had a hard time believing why Catholics give special significance to the Virgin Mary and all the saints. It's all Christianity, right? I said to him "Wouldn't the Christian thing to do be to let me choose my own religion and path in life, and for you to be able to accept it?

Anywho, it creeped me out a little and we weren't together too long after that, as it seemed he and 2 other girl friends (just friends who were girls) happened to make an executive decision that they would date only big true devoted Christian-Lutheran types.

To me, it didn't seem very "Christian" to be forcing your religion down someone's throat, especially if they didn't want it shoved. The "Christian" thing to do would be to accept that everyone is different, and there is such thing called freedom of choice.

DESTROY US ALL! · **Posted:** Mon Jul 04, 2005 5:00 pm

Cmarbagoi wrote:

Dude, I totally know how you feel. I'm not atheist, but I'm jewish. Almost everyday at school last year, I was the subject of jew jokes and people told me my religion was "wrong".

Ugh.

I have people like that at my school, my good friend is jewish and is tormented daily, it just seems people are ignorant nowadays

Didymus · **Posted:** Mon Jul 04, 2005 7:00 pm

There is something to be said about Tact. While I do consider it my (and every other Christian's) responsibility to share the love of Christ with people, there's nothing that says a little human respect can't be a part of that. As St. Paul says: CLICKY!
(And keep in mind, St. Paul was Jewish.)

But here's an interesting question: what about all those Jewish organizations that worked to get Johnny Hart's comic strip B.C. banned from newspapers (and why? Because he made a cartoon honoring Jesus' Jewish heritage)? Or tried to shut down Mel Gibson's production of The Passion of the Christ? Respect goes both ways here.

(of course, one has to wonder, if it's B.C., then how do they know about Jesus?)

DESTROY US ALL! · **Posted:** Tue Jul 05, 2005 4:24 am

Didymus wrote:

There is something to be said about Tact. While I do consider it my (and every other Christian's) responsibility to share the love of Christ with people, there's nothing that says a little human respect can't be a part of that. As St. Paul says: CLICKY!
(And keep in mind, St. Paul was Jewish.)

But here's an interesting question: what about all those Jewish organizations that worked to get Johnny Hart's comic strip B.C. banned from newspapers (and why? Because he made a cartoon honoring Jesus' Jewish heritage)? Or tried to shut down Mel Gibson's production of The Passion of the Christ? Respect goes both ways here.

(of course, one has to wonder, if it's B.C., then how do they know about Jesus?)

but this is one example, wouldn't things such as this only lead to trying to please every person. Such as the taco bell dog being offensive to latin americans. There wil always be one nutjob representing a large amount of perfectly sane people (ala Georgy) And the passion of the christ did rile up many anti-semetic views. Now who to say strongbad doesn't undermine mexican wrestling? or stinkoman the japanese art of anime?

Didymus · **Posted:** Tue Jul 05, 2005 5:06 am

You have a point. You can't please everybody all of the time. Even St. Paul realized that. Although he became all things to all people, he also realized that only some of them would receive his message, not all.

mibluvr13 · **Posted:** Wed Jul 06, 2005 1:51 am

I'm agnostic, but most people don't know the difference. Anyway, maybe it's just where I live (the deep south), but people yell at me constantly about my religion. I've had a couple people try to "save" me, but most just come up to me randomly in the hall and yell "You're going to hell, you sadist!" What quality people.

Jitka · **Posted:** Wed Jul 06, 2005 1:53 am

mibluvr13 wrote:

I've had a couple people try to "save" me, but most just come up to me randomly in the hall and yell "You're going to hell, you sadist!" What quality people.

They call you a sadist? They think you take perverse pleasure in harming others? Geeze, I'm glad I don't have to deal with those people, because they're either low-vocabulary fools or narrow-minded fools.

Both, in all probability.

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