christian help: Why Christians VS. - Help.com

well am like you but i understand why some christians may do that…

Well a lot of religious people feel that they’re doing the non religious person a favour by introducing them to their religion. Like, saving them. And some people take their religion so seriously that it’s difficult for them to get over it when someone they know doesn’t believe in this thing that they’ve devoted their life to.

You are not alone…I am a Christian..it’s on my profile.

I choose to think a bit differently and don’t rely as strongly on the bible as proof that God exists. I am very open to all beliefs/non beliefs, as far as I am concerned. Each person on this planet is entitled to their own belief structure or lack thereof.

JesusMurphy! wrote:
Well a lot of religious people feel that they’re doing the non religious person a favour by introducing them to their religion. Like, saving them. And some people take their religion so seriously that it’s difficult for them to get over it when someone they know doesn’t believe in this thing that they’ve devoted their life to.

Totally agree.

One thing that I have wondered about is this seemingly Christian (well, Jehavoh’s Witness, too) phenom. of canvassing their religion door to door? Or handing out pamphlets on the street? I’ve always been curious about that mainly because I don’t think I’ve ever seen any other faith do this. Anyone have any insights into this?

well i dont know why Jehavoh’s Witness are called christian , i dont consider then christian :D …

I didn’t mean to imply that I was calling Jehovah’s Witnesses Christian because to the best of my admittedly limited knowledge of the religion, I thought it was completely different?

This is a personal thing. Everyone sees the World differently and religion is no exception. In this life, you have three very major decisions. First, your religion or lack of. Secondly, chosing a mate. Lastly, chosing a profession.

Every human being has to make these decisions. I chose to believe in God and the Bible. Please don’t sterotype me, run me down, curse me, because I chose a different path.

Again, it is a personal decision. As Fizz said, you respect me and I’m will respect you. But, I will be nice to you and respect you, even if you chose not to respect me. That is being a Christian. That is the teaching that we live by and adhere too.

Thanks Fizz, that clears that up for me :) I never knew why and I always thought it was interesting because like I said, I’ve never seen another faith do that. I always just assumed that other faiths were content to just do their own thing *lol*

Fizz wrote:

Unfortunately a good many Christians do not understand what compel means.

Yeah I agree with that too unfortunately. I think the problem is that sometimes people take the bible too literally. On and interesting side-note, has anyone read the book The Year of Living Biblically: One Man’s Humble Quest to Follow the Bible As Literally As Possible by A. J. Jacobs? http://www.amazon.com/Year-Living-Bib…

This is what I see…why does a bird know where to build it’s nest? Who created this Earth, the stars, the moons, man and woman? Why are things so perfect. The seasons of the year, the air we breath, the ability to reason, and on and on…Did this just happen? The “Big Bang” theory, it just happened…don’t think so…

My religion and my faith is based on a higher being than us. Please respect that…we must make our choices…and live with the consequences! If wrong, then nothing is lost. But, what if this right?

In my personal beliefs, I believe that there are many things about our world and ourselves that we do not understand. I believe that religion evolved out of our need to quantify and explain the many things that seem to have no explanation. To put a face to those unexplainable things, so to speak. Because it can seem scary that there are so many unknowns in our world, and to have a “reason” behind the cause of everything is easier to handle than just not knowing.

To Fizz: I sometimes wonder that too, but then I think that what if the whole purpose for us is to learn? Not just to exist but to actually LIVE. If there is a God, then he certainly didn’t put us on this Earth to remain as we were the day we were born. If God created all this, then he created it all to give us every opportunity to learn and expand, to teach ourselves and each other. Maybe all the conflict and the wars over religion is disappointing to him because we still have not learned from our pasts.

i like that sort of attitude fizz.
when people try to force me to believe in their religion, i don’t get the impression they enjoy in believing it themselves. its like they feel they have to go with it without choice.
one thing I don;t like about many apects about religion is they say stuff like “if u do this it makes you a BAD person” and “the only way you can be accepted and loved is if you obey godand behave like this..”
i mean, look at the people who said the english teacher should have been killed for “insulting allah”. if they think someone should be killed for disobeying their god, obviously they are scared and wouldn’t want to insult him themselves because then that would be them disobeying him themselves.. them as being human are not perfect and would have made mistakes. surely at some point they’d feel guilty over certain actions they had done?
i don;t believe what many of these people are being taught is to love themselves for their way they are and OTHERS. they are being taught unhealthy views and i don’t think thats right. thanks for whoever read this lol.

Hopefully good advise, study the Bible, attend a good Church, and make your own decision. Be well-informed and make an intelligent decision.

I agree with what spiritedsoul was saying. I feel sad for many people that only seem to believe in their chosen religion out of fear. I always thought that if religion was important to you its because you want to lead a life of example not because you’re afraid of what God (or Allah or whatever) will do to you if you don’t. I always though that God was supposed to be a benelovent entity, not vengeful and full of wrath.

And I also agree with what you were saying about people who really try to push their beliefs on me…I always secretly said to myself “Hmmm, they must not be very secure in their beliefs because it seems to me that they really need reassurance that what they believe is right by making other people believe it too…”

“I always though that God was supposed to be a benelovent entity, not vengeful and full of wrath.” yeah, I agree.

you also said “many people that only seem to believe in their chosen religion out of fear” and “Hmmm, they must not be very secure in their beliefs because it seems to me that they really need reassurance that what they believe is right by making other people believe it too…” I think them not being secure relates to the fear. they want to be accepted but feel they have to belive and act to get it.
we as human beings have a strong need to be loved. people who aren;t strong in themselves and are taught unhealthy cause all these confrontations and arguments.

I’m certainly not saying that all people believe that way, only some. Its the few that believe that they need to fear God that I feel bad for.

all I’m saying is very ture. I’m the same way with all relgion stuff i defenitly don’t think about someones ways of believeing while i’m hanging out with them. I simply don’t care about that.

I agree with most of what has been said here. My question is this, if I believe that someones lifestyle is self destructive, should I intervine? I do not want to push my beliefs down anyones throat and have tried very hard not to, but as a christian, I believe Jesus is the ONLY way to God and to heaven. I do not wish to offend but at the same time, I don’t know how to say that, or any version of that without offending. How does someone appeoach this without making people mad?

Fizz wrote:
I understand what your saying, but on a lighter note.

A good healthy dose of fear can go a long way, lol.

I can only imagine the mischief my kids would get into if they weren’t a little afraid they would get caught.

Where would we be if people weren’t afraid to do somethings without the fear of prison?

Fear isn’t all bad, lol.

yeah i guess obvious fears can be there for a reason, like to stop self jump of cliff lol. and trying to tab another being.

ahaha see I have no fear of jumping of cliffs. hmm does that mean i’m insane. but i have other fears..many fears. just not of jumping of cliffs or most common fear of heights I LOVE HEIGHTS lol i’m done and completly off topic

Made sense to me. :)

Watcher wrote:
I agree with most of what has been said here. My question is this, if I believe that someones lifestyle is self destructive, should I intervine? I do not want to push my beliefs down anyones throat and have tried very hard not to, but as a christian, I believe Jesus is the ONLY way to God and to heaven. I do not wish to offend but at the same time, I don’t know how to say that, or any version of that without offending. How does someone appeoach this without making people mad?

what do you mean beliving in jesus is the only way to god and to heaven?
you mean believing in them is the only way to be loved and accepted in ones own life and soul?

No, defenitly not. You are loved and have been loved even before you were concieved. God doesn’t pick and choose who He loves and His love is not contengent on any actions you may or may not take. I guess the best way of saying it would be like asking you to follow me to the mall, you can choose to follow me, or you can choose not to. If you choose to follow you will get to the mall if you choose not you will get lost. Just because you got lost doesn’t mean I feel different about you, but it does mean you didn’t make it to the mall.

Fizz, you are one of the good ones. My brother was almost a minister and when he decided against it people said he was ‘possesed” . It was sick. I like you a lot. Sigh, I’ve just seen a lot and had to modedrate/ control things beyond what I truly understood on a professional board most would lose it to do. :( or mabey I did understand but wish I didn’t see.

Watcher, as a non-Christian, I can answer this the best way I know how: I think it is very noble and very caring for you to be concerned about someone else’s welfare. But my question to you is, in what ways are you seeing someone being destructive in their life? Because if they are doing drugs or alcohol, hurting themselves and others with violence and hatred, then those are very valid reasons to be concerned and to want to help. However, if you believe that because someone doesn’t believe in good, that that is destructive to their life, well then I don’t feel that there is any reason to intervene. I wholeheartedly respect your beliefs, but the plain and simple fact is that not all people believe in Jesus and that he is the only path to spiritual enlightenment.
To use your analogy of the mall: someone may choose not to follow your way to the mall, but does that mean there is only one way to get there? Perhaps they chose not to follow you because they knew of a different route that was bette suited to them (perhaps the scenerey was more appealing to them that way).

Moogan wrote:
However, if you believe that because someone doesn’t believe in good,

*Lol* I meant to say God, not good

He is good and God..loll..

Also, I don’t really agree with what you were saying about how if they don’t follow you, they never got to the mall. I know we must agree to disagree on this point because you were raised to believe that there is only one way to get to the mall, whereas I was raised (and may others were, too) to believe that there are several ways, each different and each just as exciting. But just because they didn’t choose your way didn’t mean they never got to the mall, only that they took a different way.

Moogan, I understand about your view about the different paths and knew that would come up even as typed it but my analogy was only about Gods love and that it didn’t change because of our choices.
As far as what I consider self destructive, yes drugs and alcohol but also I believe that a person who doesn’t know and follow Jesus will spend eternity in hell, like I said, I try not to push my beliefs down anyones throat, but the thought of you or anyone spending eternity in hell truly scares the living crap out of me. I try not to tell someone “your going to hell” because that is so judgmental. I try to live as an example (usually I’m not very good) so that others would be drawn, but at some point the subject will arise.

Also, for the sake of discussion IF Jesus was the only way and there were no other paths, wouldn’t I be very selfish and cold hearted to ignore those who are not on that path?

ill be honest, lol. fizz i was about to have strong words bout what watcher just said.

Again, and being redunant, the best way to deal with your enternity, is to study the Bible and go to a good church, and then, make an intelligent decision based on knowledge, not what Spunky says or Fizz, you make your own decision.

I certainly respect your choice to believe that, I really do. Only my personal beliefs do not include heaven and hell, therefore I’m not entirely worried about going to either place :) Like I said before, I think we must agree to disagree on this topic (as always *lol*). I will say however, that just as I don’t know if there is a heaven or hell (or God for that matter), you do not know for sure either. To you, you may feel in your heart that its true, but ultimately there is no concrete evidence to suggest that either side is right or wrong. Feeling God in your heart may be all the evidence you need to believe that he does exist as does heaven and hell. I applaud you for that and for having a strong conviction. However, because it is not part of my belief structure, I’m comfortable with the way that I live my life and my own spirituality. Christianity and Jesus is your truth, however it is not mine. My point really is trying to have some understanding that what might be true spiritually for one person, may not be true for another. That does not make them any less spiritual, it does not make them wrong (especially if their religion does not support the idea of heaven or hell or the devil or anything like that). I honestly think that conflict between religions will stop when all sides are capable of accepting that faith is individual, personal, and that no person has the right to tell another what they should believe or that their beliefs are wrong. And to suggest that because someone is going to hell because they do not believe in Christ may just be a waste of time if that person doesn’t believe such a place exists :)
For myself, I don’t believe that trying to live my life as morally and ethically as possible, in being kind and generous to others, in involving myself in helping others less fortunate could possibly cancel out my chances of going to a place like heaven just because I didn’t prescribe to a certain religion. I believe that I am a kind person. And if God exists, I believe that he will judge me based on my character and how well I tried to live my life and decide then if I’ve been as good a person as possible, and that would be my key into heaven. I think that is true of all people, for certainly (as I’m sure you would agree), just being Christian isn’t an automatic IN.
But again, to reiterate my point: religion IS about truth…but not so much that MY religion is the only true one. What matters is that it is true to YOU.

Was that directed at me?

Um…I thought I was being friendly? I’m not turning it into a debate about whether or not there is a God; I’m only trying to give some answers from my (non-Christian) point-of-view. If someone chooses to take my personal belief that there is no God or Heaven or Hell as an insult, I can’t be responsible for that because it was never an attack to begin with, because I never said that they are wrong to believe that those things exist in the first place.
I’m sorry but it seems a little one sided if some people are allowed to reply in their posts that God most definitely does exist whereas others are not allowed to answer in their posts that their belief is different. I thought this WAS a friendly, educational discussion with both sides equally expressing their views in a mature way. As far as I could tell, no one here was offended and the discussion seemed to be going pretty well, not deteriorating…
I’m really disappointed

well.. i have to say.. i did not read all the comments.. however… i did read your post.. and i APPLAUD you for saying what you have.. i completely agree with you… everyone should get along with everyone… no matter what religion you are.. or what religion you are not… it shouldnt matter… and for those… whether they are believers or not.. who shove their beliefs onto people and become all offended because we do not believe.. then they should sit back and ponder just how religious they truly are being… so again.. applauds to you hun…

Here is my take as an atheist (enter scary music). I have had this discussion with people about god and I have found that people who are secure with themselves and their religion are not offended. Think about your favorite subject whither it be science or art, whatever. If you really know it well then you are not shaken if someone tries to correct you, your confident. Yet if you are a bit unsure then you immediately go on the offensive/defensive.

Then of course there are the people who are afraid they will go to hell if they don’t get there quota of souls to gods side. Nothing you can do about them. Ok sir, I’ll make sure to send a postcard from hell.

As for the atheists out in the world, well theres two main types. First theres people like me. Raised in a house of science. Never went to church. We tend to not think too hard about raising arguments. The other group are those who fell from grace. They went to church 7 days a week and now are stanch atheists. They just cant stand the religious and pick fights. This puts the religious on edge and war begins.

Fizz wrote:

tricky wrote:
well i dont know why Jehavoh’s Witness are called christian , i dont consider then christian :D …

I’m not sure I understand that.

Jehovah’s Witness do believe in Christ.

As a matter of fact I credit a lovely Jehovah’s Witness woman for leading me to Christ, though I do not share all of their beliefs and chose not to worship with them.

well first of all they dont believe in trinity and in hell, they believe that God is seperate being then Jesus ,, they belive Jesus came into the world again , like the second coming has too place but no one ever seen it or something well in the bible it is written ” When i come all the world will know , and dont let somebody tell you look here is the Christ or their but when i come { like the sun everybody will know } … so i guess this breaks the idea of Jesus second coming i guess :D …

i just dont like them :D

tricky wrote:

Fizz wrote:

tricky wrote:
well i dont know why Jehavoh’s Witness are called christian , i dont consider then christian :D …

I’m not sure I understand that.

Jehovah’s Witness do believe in Christ.

As a matter of fact I credit a lovely Jehovah’s Witness woman for leading me to Christ, though I do not share all of their beliefs and chose not to worship with them.

well first of all they dont believe in trinity and in hell, they believe that God is seperate being then Jesus ,, they belive Jesus came into the world again , like the second coming has too place but no one ever seen it or something well in the bible it is written ” When i come all the world will know , and dont let somebody tell you look here is the Christ or their but when i come { like the sun everybody will know } … so i guess this breaks the idea of Jesus second coming i guess :D …

i just dont like them :D

You don’t like them because they scare you or you don’t like you don’t like there beliefs or you don’t like them because they wronged you? Do you think Jesus would like biased hate? Hey, they’re there, they’re people, and they’re flawed. Like everyone else.

am not scared of them for the simple reason that i know my religion quite well :) and nobody can trick me…i think their believes are false… btw i dont follow the christian believe all of it , i have my own version of the christian believe but it’s not even close to the Jehova’s Witness , i consider them like a profite organization or something… i think they attack the weak christian to change their believe and that’s what i hate the most about them… and i think they are very fake… well i have a friend from Jehovas Witness i really dont have a problem him but in general i dont like them, but this friend of mine doesnt being up religion and stuff so we are just fine :D… i know i shouldnt hate but when it comes to playing with ppl and stuff and tricking them , i may hate , yet it is wrong , you can always sue me , am just a human :P…

Moogan, thank you very much. It is very refreshing to have a conversation with somone who is willing to hear a point of view other than there own without getting all upset. I completely agree that we’ll have to agree to disagree. We are looking at the subject from vastly different points of view, but that doesn’t mean we cannot explain our personal belief to each other. I am not insulted at all because you believe something different than me, and from what I am getting out of your writtings niether are you. It may not help anyone else but it helps me when someone can explain to me why what I say is, at least to them, not correct. Whether it be the information or the way I presented it.

Accept and love everyone, sometimes for their differences!! It’s christian. Debating someone about religion or spiritualality is not helping. It’s conflict and negotiation..

Thank you for the invite Fizz, sorry it took so long to respond.

The way I see it, Jesus brought us one basic message, and that is the message of LOVE. There is no room for disrespect, insults, throwing of stones… none of it. Now the message of Jesus has been piled high with the dogma of this Church or that one, and it is the dogma that some people dislike so much.

Another reason we have so many arguments and fights over this, in my opinion, is because when we break down all feelings and emotion we have ONLY two basic feeling; Love and … FEAR. People fear what they do not understand or do not see. Fear of the unknown is common in all of us. Fear causes such things as hate and discontent. Some people have been able to rise above their fear with faith and love… others cannot, it is a matter of time for them.
Bright blessings ~ Richard

ps. I applaud all of you for being able to hold this thread together without any bloodshed :)

Richard Cor de Lyon wrote:
Thank you for the invite Fizz, sorry it took so long to respond.

The way I see it, Jesus brought us one basic message, and that is the message of LOVE. There is no room for disrespect, insults, throwing of stones… none of it. Now the message of Jesus has been piled high with the dogma of this Church or that one, and it is the dogma that some people dislike so much.

Another reason we have so many arguments and fights over this, in my opinion, is because when we break down all feelings and emotion we have ONLY two basic feeling; Love and … FEAR. People fear what they do not understand or do not see. Fear of the unknown is common in all of us. Fear causes such things as hate and discontent. Some people have been able to rise above their fear with faith and love… others cannot, it is a matter of time for them.
Bright blessings ~ Richard

ps. I applaud all of you for being able to hold this thread together without any bloodshed :)

Very well put.

Thanks Watcher. I feel really good about this conversation. I truly feel that this is what discussions on religion should be like; everyone has been calm, respectful and open to listening to other’s points of view without accusations and judgment. I’ve come away from this feeling like I have truly been able to expand my knowledge and understanding of this topic. I respect all beliefs, and it is refreshing to have been able to discuss such a difficult topic with people who’s beliefs are not my own, yet who are willing to listen and share their own ideas. It gives me hope that the future will hold many more discussions like this and just maybe our views are shifting towards positive ways of communication and understanding that do not include closed-mindedness, fear and hate.
Well done everyone :)

I’m sorry. I know it seemed like I wasn’t listening to you but I was. I’m a big mouth teenager. It happens. Thanks for trying to help me.

Hiya Fizz :)

I particularly think it is funny how:

I will say to someone, hey this person doesnt want the help from your God right now. They need other help. Save it for some other time?

And they get agressive with me..and ALWAYS and i mean ALWAYS…i hear this…

“Just because you don’t believe in God doesnt mean blah blah blah etc”

Since when did i say i didnt believe? I am a spiritualist. A Christian denomination.

SOME of these people, think that just because some of us believe it is wrong to force beliefs on others- that we MUST be non believers.

Rediculous. Like you, if someone asks, i will tell. If they don’t. I keep it to myself.

None of us are any less Christian by not pressurising people. If anything it means we are good ones. Helping others in the best way, in their best interests.

I think most of us know, its not in everyones best interests to turn to God. They are on here because they are turning to us. If they were trying to turn to God they would either say so, or be in a church.

See! lol.

People assume because i don’t like people preaching in an inappropriate way, that i don’t believe.

Its actually something i’m really into aswell. Its a big part of my life too.

Buts its a ‘need to know’ kind of thing. I do notice, some people mention God whilst talking about their problems. That to me is an invitation to include that if i want to in my reply.

For example, take a look at this users replies to my post. This is a really good example of someone who is approaching something in a good way. (or so i believe).

Please everyone if you can, read it, its not long: http://help.com/user/161763-asad_tai

hehe buts !