Why do Christians preach?

[saxy_jag]

I am an atheist. I do not spend my entire life telling everyone how wonderful it is to be an atheist (even though it is). I do not tell religious people that they should stop worshipping their god and come with me to see 'Jerry Springer, The Opera' (or whatever show is the current 'must not see'). I do not condemn them for not believing what I believe. Neither do I spend my days hoping fervantly that they will see the error of their ways before too long and 'come into my fold'. If they want to be christians then fine - that's their business.

So why do they constantly tell me that my life is wrong, that I would be happier joining them, that their god loves me, and that I will be damned to an eternal hell if I don't 'let him in'. Why do they expect me to live my life and make my decisions according to their values?

I leave them alone (unless they ask me for an opinion), so why don't they leave me alone?

[wizard69]

they have to preach because the "evidence" for what they believe simply isnt there. If christianity is true then why do they need to send evangelists to convert natives? It would appear that their god is incapable of convincing natives of his existance.

[Lonnie]

Christianity is an Evangelican religion, which means, 'Spreading the word'.
I'm not a Christian, but if memory serves, I think it stems from the timr the Desciples recieved the Holy Spirit, started speaking in tongues, and went out preaching to all and sundry.

Missionaries and others believe they're following in their footsteps.

If Theland is around, and i'm wrong, i'm sure you'll get the corret answer soon.

[Theland]

saxy_jag - Jesus Himself gave us the "Great Commission," to tell others.
He did not tell us to grab people by the scruff of the neck and shove the Bible down their throats.
Everybody should have the opportunity of hearing His word, but if they reject it, then that is their choice, and I respect that choice.

[wizard69]

Theland, I'll repeat, is god incapable of convincing natives of his existance?

[Theland]

Wizard69 - I guess not. After all, He could appear to them personally if He so chose.
What He did choose however, was this method, whereby people hear the word from other people, and then make a choice. Faith is important to God, as it implies absolute trust.

[naomi24]

They preach because they're arrogant enough to think they're right, to think they know what's best for everyone else and because they're full of their own self-importance.

And Theland - how do you know god could appear if he chose to?

[Theland]

naomi24 - As God is Omnipresent, Omniscient and Omnipotent, He could do just as I have said. He chose what He chose for His own good reasons.

[saxy_jag]

Theland, I always used to think the same as you've said in your first post, but if that's correct, then there are a helluva lot of christians who aren't doing it properly.

[Theland]

saxy_jag - I couldn't agree more. The trouble is, many groups all come under the "Christian" umbrella, and so give Christianity a bad name.
There are many indivuduals who evangelise by virtue of their tireless charity work and social programmes, and others who stuff it down your throat. They should not all be tarred with the same brush.

[naomi24]

Theland, and do you just believe that - or do you KNOW for sure?

[naomi24]

Theland, by the way, you can call me Naomi - you know me well enough now to drop the formality of a surname.

[Theland]

naomi - (Thank you for the welcome invitation address you on more familiar terms).
From personal experience, I can say that I have come across Christians of a variety of denominations that all come under the same umbrella, who have come across, to me at least, with a, 'holier than thou,' attitude that is off putting to say the least. One was a vicar who married my daughter, christened her children and ran an alpha course.
I have also known quiet factory workers who draw attention to their beliefs only by virtue of the fact that ehy are different from what one would normally expect, and who are willing to quietly share their faith with those who enquire.

[naomi24]

Theland, you're right. the holier than though brigade does get people's backs up. As a child and a teenager, going twice to church religiously (sorry) every Sunday, and to church youth clubs several times a week, I can never remember this appalling dogma that you Born Agains seem to be obsessed with of the constant threat of hell and damnation. I don't even remember the Born Again variety existing then. My church taught that god was a god of love, of the importance of caring for your fellow man, and on death, of acceptance into heaven - and because of that I did my best - and that's stayed with me all my life. There was no threat of condemnation to hell in retribution for our sins - sins didn't come into the equation, at least not where children were concerned - and this aspect of your church I feel is incredibly damaging. and really screws with people's minds. As a child I loved going to church, but I'm sure if I'd gone to yours with the doctrine it preaches, I'd have been terrified. I know you'll say that this is what the bible teaches, but having since studied the bible in depth, I'll say it's a compete nonsense, it's illogicial and it's incredibly cruel. Your god is not my god.

[Theland]

When we had capital punishment in this country, I'm sure people didn't draw their childrens attention to the fact, but introduced them to this aspect of law and order / crime and punishment, as they got older, were more mature, and could handle it.
The same needs to be said about the Bible. Fire and brimstone has no lace in a childs life.

[Theland]

When we had capital punishment in this country, I'm sure people didn't draw their childrens attention to the fact, but introduced them to this aspect of law and order / crime and punishment, as they got older, were more mature, and could handle it.
The same needs to be said about the Bible. Fire and brimstone have no place in a childs life.

[Theland]

How did that happen? - I only wanted to make a correction - not a duplicate.
It's a sign!

[naomi24]

Theland, a sign to think again maybe. Are you honestly trying to tell me that children brought up in your church, or going along to services there, hear nothing about the wickedness and deceit of the devil, or of sin, or of the punishment for sin - eternity in hell? All that seems to be the pivotal point of your religion and from the way you lot go on about it, I find it very hard to believe that the children are protected from such horrors.

[saxy_jag]

Well, I haven't back since last night, but this has been interesting.

I think it's fair to say that not all christians I know 'ram it down my throat' as Theland puts it. I think the Salvation Army are wonderful - they don't just talk the talk, they go out there and walk the walk and are what I call 'proper christians'. I give to them because they don't preach at me, but just say 'thanks' and then go out and spend my money on exactly what I gave it for - giving the homeless a bit of kindness and respect.

I mentioned the 'Jerry Springer' thing in my original post partly because I've been on the 'edge' of a production in our city. I know the staff at the venue that staged it, and I know of some of the threats - yes, threats - they received from people purporting to be christians. One was a personal death threat to a member of staff that was subsequently investigated by the police.

Yet, on press night, three senior members of the local seventh day adventist church were sitting by us in the audience. They loved it, and said they were going to to tell their whole congregation to get tickets, because it wasn't what people had said and people should see it before making up their minds on its morality.

I have to ask, who was the real christian there?

[Theland]

In the face of evil, a Christian must not give in to the temptation that you describe. Death threats are not a part of Christianity, or decent civilised behaviour in any culture.
That's what I mean when I say that all sorts of individuals and groups get under the "Christian" umbrella, and give us all a bad name.
For another example, look at the death threats against people in the U.S. working in abortion clinics.
I think abortion on demand is wrong, but so is threateneing the staff at such clinics.

[saxy_jag]

Sorry, Theland, but what temptation?