Evangelizing in front of Buddhist temples

[ExtraMedium]

I was driving home listening to the Frank Pastore show about evangelizing and it got me to wondering about the different locations people evangelize. Typically it's street corners, or door-to-door, or on missions trips to 3rd world nations. Most of the people they'd encounter have probably heard of Jesus and might even give you a chance to talk with them. Some people might be pretty naive in terms of their religious stance.

But how about evangelizing in front of locations where we're sure that 100% of the people coming out are not Christian? Why not evangelize in front of a Buddhist temple when they're leaving their service? or at a Islamic mosque? etc, etc? If we're going to convert people to Jesus, why not start with the people who are already opposed to the idea, instead of maybe luke warm?

 

[Chris]

i am going to get in trouble for this but...

As Christians could we also respect others beliefs to live the way they choose?

For us ours is the 100% correct way, and for them their faith is the 100% correct way.

I am not saying dont give a Buddhist a chance to hear the gospel, I think a campaign out side their holy place is a bit disrespectful and shows we dont think much of their faith.

Why dont you go inside sit down and listen to one about his faith and earn the right to share yours in the same example you showed.

It sure is good we share our faith but as believers in Christ we must also be actively striving to show people we genuinely love them and are not single minded thinking we have the only religion worth having.

If you preach from outside you gain no respect. if you go in you gain respect and the right to share.

You can also gain understanding of other people.



Can I show you something?

Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned." The Buddha. (wisdom can be found in many places)

Its great advice and you could probably find a parallel in the bible.

Unless you get to know who you talk to how can you tailor your message to speak to them so they can understand. By your respect you can open their hearts and eyes.


Standing out the front and telling someone they are a sinner and going to hell unless they repent and put their faith in Christ sounds like a good plan to us but can be taken as a huge insult to others via a declaration their faith is worthless, and the chance is gone forever.

We must also accept not all with follow Christ and that is ok. we might as well be respectful and nice and allow others to chose their destiny as not all will believe.

Mathew 7
13“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.



I am not saying dont do it i think it is a worthwhile exercise to give any man the opportunity to hear the gospel.

 

[Hitch]

i am going to get in trouble for this but...

As Christians could we also respect others beliefs to live the way they choose?

I'll guess that the way you mean it the answer is 'of course'. Doubtless we ,as Christians, had no right to stop Ghandi's wife from throwing herself on the pyre.

For us ours is the 100% correct way, and for them their faith is the 100% correct way.

I am not saying dont give a Buddhist a chance to hear the gospel, I think a campaign out side their holy place is a bit disrespectful and shows we dont think much of their faith.

Exactly how much 'respect' should we grant antichristian religions?

Why dont you go inside sit down and listen to one about his faith and earn the right to share yours in the same example you showed.

Ive never dont that with a Bhuddist, have you?

It sure is good we share our faith but as believers in Christ we must also be actively striving to show people we genuinely love them and are not single minded thinking we have the only religion worth having.

Christianity is exclusive, Jesus said I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

If you preach from outside you gain no respect. if you go in you gain respect and the right to share.

You can also gain understanding of other people.



Can I show you something?

Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned." The Buddha. (wisdom can be found in many places)

Its great advice and you could probably find a parallel in the bible.

Unless you get to know who you talk to how can you tailor your message to speak to them so they can understand. By your respect you can open their hearts and eyes.

As above the way I think you mean this its correct but there are many variables.

Standing out the front and telling someone they are a sinner and going to hell unless they repent and put their faith in Christ sounds like a good plan to us but can be taken as a huge insult to others via a declaration their faith is worthless, and the chance is gone forever.

We must also accept not all with follow Christ and that is ok. we might as well be respectful and nice and allow others to chose their destiny as not all will believe.

Mathew 7
13“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.



I am not saying dont do it i think it is a worthwhile exercise to give any man the opportunity to hear the gospel.

 

[ExtraMedium]

Yep, agree with both of you. But it was one of those kooky questions my brain developed while asking "where would be the hardest place to evangelize?" It would be hard to say to someone coming out of a mosque, "Excuse me sir, unless you drop your fake religion and follow Jesus, you're going to hell..." Sure it's rude, but is it incorrect?

This is obviously why I'm horrible at evangelizing. I'm much better leading by example. But bringing someone to Jesus would be an awesome life goal.

 

[Chris]

Hitch I met with an international Buddhist monk a few months ago and was lucky enough to have a private audience with him in a group of Srilankan Buddhists, this guy is world famous. I listened to him and shared my faith in Jesus and how it advantages me. Through mutual respect and listening we were both able to share.

He gave me some good wise advice and I liked it because it was about life and didn't contradict scripture.
he taught me how all men are entitled to have an opinion and peoples opinions should a least be respected and we should allow them the opportunity to say it.
when someone voices their opinion I do not have to debate it because it differs with mine.

they can have their opinion and i can just leave it there and be happy for them if they arent interested in mine.. a Buddhist taught me that, Jesus did too.. I noticed it in the gospels better when i reread that later.

Mathew 10:14

If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.

 

[Hitch]

Hitch I met with an international Buddhist monk a few months ago and was lucky enough to have a private audience with him in a group of Srilankan Buddhists, this guy is world famous. I listened to him and shared my faith in Jesus and how it advantages me. Through mutual respect and listening we were both able to share.

Great!

He gave me some good wise advice and I liked it because it was about life and didn't contradict scripture.
he taught me how all men are entitled to have an opinion and peoples opinions should a least be respected and we should allow them the opportunity to say it.
when someone voices their opinion I do not have to debate it because it differs with mine.

they can have their opinion and i can just leave it there and be happy for them if they arent interested in mine.. a Buddhist taught me that, Jesus did too.. I noticed it in the gospels better when i reread that later.

Mathew 10:14

If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.

 

[Former Christian]

ExtraMedium

How would you like it if a Buddhist or Moslem came and evangelized in front of your Church? Since most of evangelicalism today amounts to rhetoric, would you welcome the chance to see who is the better rhetorical debater? Do you think you're a great apologist for the faith when you offer unbelievers the answers before they've even had a chance to ask the questions? And as has already been brought up, how do you feel about respecting the rights of others to choose their own way? Or do you think as some that people are too blind to have a choice?

FC

 

[Chris]

Yep, agree with both of you. But it was one of those kooky questions my brain developed while asking "where would be the hardest place to evangelize?" It would be hard to say to someone coming out of a mosque, "Excuse me sir, unless you drop your fake religion and follow Jesus, you're going to hell..." Sure it's rude, but is it incorrect?

This is obviously why I'm horrible at evangelizing. I'm much better leading by example. But bringing someone to Jesus would be an awesome life goal.

care genuinely about people, respect their beliefs,listen to them and you will get your chance.

remember when the Jehovah's come to visit....do the opposite!

Remember the advice of a good friend with his life together that led by his example and kindness?

All you have to do is sow a seed you may never harvest