Some Religious-Extremists Annoy me to DEATH!

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I can totally understand finding christians irritating. I've only just recently stopped going to church on a regular basis - mostly because of the shallow-thinking.

I grew up in your mainstream type church but when I was 20 or so got into the charismatic stuff - much like U2, I suppose. It's pretty exhilirating really. Actually extraordinarily so when you realise 'THERE IS A GOD'. But I read an interview with Bono once where he said that the problem was that the more the band got into church, the smaller their view of God got. I think that can be true - obviously it depends on your background and the sort of church you join.

But it is very, very sad that meaning, hope and truth isn't generally marketed very well. Shallow thinking, unwillingness to try something new and the fact that it is a war and I believe the devil will try his very best to discredit someone in your eyes who has the truth for you (whether that be christian or non-christian).

But it is a shame that the whole thing hasn't been marketed very well. I think partly that is what U2 are about. Probably that's the very core. But I don't think they intend to force things down someone's throat - because even if a decision was made it's not really a decision for christ is it, it's a decision for Bono?

And there's a line in the Bible about 'no one comes to me except the father draws him'. Like in the Matrix where Morpheus says to Neo - 'you have to understand most of these people are not ready to be unplugged. Some of them are so innerred, so hopelessly dependant on the system that they will fight to protect it.' As you can see I'm a big fan of the Matrix.

The other thing is that with these 'evangelists' my belief is that a lot of them are similar to the 'Judaizers' of Paul's day (in, for example, the book of Galatians). Paul went to the Gentiles preaching that all a person had to do to be forgiven of their sins and receive the Holy Spirit (be 'born again') was to believe. And then after him came these people just after he had left telling the same people that simple faith wasn't enough - they had to be circumcised.

I think that there is a parallel here. A lost of people may in fact be christians or 'born again' - and are 'saved' from a very, very early age. So early they may not actually remember it. So when told they have to be 'born again' they believe it, looking for something new. They may experience a personal revival and actually think that they have 'become a christian'. Whereas before they just lived their life and their faith wasn't a major focus now they read their bible and pray and preach and all sorts of stuff.

In short they have come under the yoke of the 'evangelist' and have been led away from a simple, unconcious faith to one that is complicated. Being bound now to a yoke of relgion they then try and enslave others.

Worst of all perhaps is that as Paul says - when you trust your works for salvation you fall from grace (Gal 5). They lose their freedom, their joy - and in all probability their friends. It's criminal.

Check out these verses:
Gal 5:1 - 'It is for freedom that Christ has set us free - therefore keep standing firm and do not be yoked again to a yoke of slavery.'

Gal 5:4 'ou have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.'

Somewhere in the same book Paul asks 'what happened to your joy?' . What had happened was they had put their faith in their works and fallen from the grace of Christ - thus losing contact with what gave them their 'fruits of the spirit' one of which is joy.
And in the final chapter Paul says that the 'Judaizers' simply want to enslave the Galatian church under their religion so that they may 'boast in their flesh'. ie. boast in the results that men can see. eg. 'I went to Galatia and look how many got circumcised.'

Which is akin to what you'll hear in some evangelical circles - 'I went to .... and look how many made decisions for Christ.'

Thanks for reading this far and I hope it makes sense. What I'm trying to say is that the whole evangelism thing can often be a rort and counter-productive and it may be why so many people find it so irritating because they can see the horrid spirit behind it. Like someone said - the people you meet on the streets have probably been whipped into doing what they are doing by people who want a big church or a big reputation or whatever.
 
I dont mind encyclopedias, but people who sell them bug me.
I dont mind cars really, but people who sell them bug me.
I dont mind phone services, but people who sell them bug me.
I dont mind christianity or christians, but people who try to sell that bug me.
 
Originally posted by Angela Harlem:
I dont mind christianity or christians, but people who try to sell that bug me.

I am very grateful for people who try to "sell" Christianity. Without someone sharing the Gospel with me, I never would have become a Christian. Just imagine if all the disciples in Jesus' time had ignored his command to "go and make disciples of all nations"; there'd be no Christians today. Admittedly, some people evangelize in a wrong manner, but I thank God for those who do it right.
 
In the first post it was stated that the converters don't like U2 because they don't feel U2 are Christians.

Clearly, this is incorrect.

Therefore, it is my suggestion that the next time the converters come knocking, you also "knock." That is, bring with you as much U2 music as you can carry. Then, annoying and repeatedly, cite each and every Christian or God-themed item in Bono's lyrics.

Perhaps you will convince them that U2 are Christians and you might even convince them to start liking and playing U2's music. Then, in future gatherings, at least you'll have U2's music to help support you.
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Alternatively, they will become so annoyed with your U2 discussion that they won't bother you again. Just be sure that you don't come across as "worshipping" U2, because that will make them want to convert you all the more for worshipping a false idol.

As for the people who convert, I think it is polite to say, "no thank you" and end the conversation there. If you go any further, they will push.

That said, I also feel that if you do feel a calling to God, perhaps you should take a moment to listen to these people. Spending weekends getting drunk and watching porn isn't exactly the most "holy" thing to do.
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Originally posted by doctorwho:
Spending weekends getting drunk and watching porn isn't exactly the most "holy" thing to do.
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but it sure is fun!!!!
 
Originally posted by 80sU2isBest:
I am very grateful for people who try to "sell" Christianity. Without someone sharing the Gospel with me, I never would have become a Christian. Just imagine if all the disciples in Jesus' time had ignored his command to "go and make disciples of all nations"; there'd be no Christians today. Admittedly, some people evangelize in a wrong manner, but I thank God for those who do it right.


Hmm this may be a perspective thing again. See, I dont really mind people that just simply try and spread the word either. You summed it up yourself when you said some try to evangelize in the wrong manner. I see that as a hard sell. There are all so many different ways to get a message across, its all in the way you do it. Subtle, kind, friendly, and fully aware of when you have lost interest is absolutely fine. Those that are as agressive as actual sales people bug the crap out of me. And honestly, its not what they are selling, its all about how.
 
Originally posted by Angela Harlem:

Hmm this may be a perspective thing again. See, I dont really mind people that just simply try and spread the word either. You summed it up yourself when you said some try to evangelize in the wrong manner. I see that as a hard sell. There are all so many different ways to get a message across, its all in the way you do it. Subtle, kind, friendly, and fully aware of when you have lost interest is absolutely fine. Those that are as agressive as actual sales people bug the crap out of me.
True words, Angela.
 
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