Hi all, I would've posted this in the "Christian Talk & Advice" forum but I'm not allowed there anymore ;) so I'll post it here...What is it about Christians that make them push their beliefs on other people and try and convert everybody to their way of thinking? I just don't understand. Is this REALLY God's will? Surely these evangelists end up pushing more people away than converting? I do want to be a Christian but I really don't think it's in me to do that stuff...I'd rather just worship God quietly, and pray for Christ to make his presence known, through me, to anyone I come into contact with. Personally, I feel that if things were this way then a lot more people would come to Christianity. Nobody should be forced or scared into believing something. People who use these methods are committing the real sin in my opinion and it upsets me. We are in an age where people are thinking for themselves and aren't interested in hearing the same old things, being told the same old stories etc. People just plain do not want to hear that if they don't follow Jesus they are going to hell, and I have to say I can't blame them. Things need to change...
Essentials, evangelism is simply showing others what Christianity is in a way that makes the other person see their need for Christ. In your post above you said "I do want to be a Christian but I really don't think it's in me to do that stuff...I'd rather just worship God quietly, and pray for Christ to make his presence known, through me, to anyone I come into contact with." What you are describing as to how you would like to evangelize
is the way that most Christians evangelize, so this is no reason for you to stay away from Christianity! The ones you are talking about above, with their screaming hellfire and brimstone, repent or die approach truly are in the minority. (Just in a very vocal and visible minority!) So are even the ones who relatively quietly approach you on the street and won't leave you alone until you listen to what they have to say.
What the evangelists you are talking about have to say may be true (
may be, but not necessarily!), but is their style the most effective way to evangelize, or does it drive more people away? I question that as well. For some, it probably is effective, but for others, I just don't know. I tend to agree with you in regards to most of the ones I have seen. But yet, I am still a Christian and do not use my feelings about the tactics of others as a reason not to be a Christian. My spiritual life with God, and the rewards and gifts He gives me are far too important for me to allow that to happen! So if you truly do want to be a Christian, why don't you ask Christ to come into your heart and become a Christian? Christianity needs more folks like yourself that want to be a witness of what God is and does through your life. All Christians are instructed by Jesus to evangelize. ("Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" [Jesus, Mathew 28:19, NIV]) But if the most effective way for you to do that is to show Christ to people through your life (as I too have found to be the most effective way for me), that is just fine.
So if this is truly your reason for not wanting to be a Christian, it is not a good one! Why should you lose out on all the things God can give you, and lose out on the opportunity to not only be in the service of, but also a
son of the God that created us and everything around us, just because you don't like the way some people go about their evangelism? You shouldn't lose out on it!
!
