Some Religious-Extremists Annoy me to DEATH!

[deep]

U2bama,

I agree, not the best choice of words. I see he did do some editing.

However, regarding what others have focused on:
"the nightmare ends when Christians are gone" doesn't seem very nice.

In the context of the entire post I read that to mean: the self-righteous people who keep invading his space.

Now about that flick. I went to the movie data base and looked up “A Distant Thunder”. It’s a 1978 movie.

Summary: Armageddon and bell bottoms.

Sequel to "A Thief in the Night", this one answers the question: Does Patty sell her soul to Satan? This is the best of the four movies; it's creepy, full of unintended humor, spookiness, and has a funky twist at the end. Accept Jesus into your heart now, before the rapture, or you'll have to hang out with crying high school girls for seven years.

See what we have missed, sounds very entertaining.
Dare I say, a cult classic.

[speedracer]

Originally posted by deep:


Sounds good to me. Maybe we should call this. Don’t ask, but if asked, tell.

What's wrong with asking someone about his or her views on spiritual matters, as long as it's done politely?

I'm quite comfortable discussing my faith (in person, not just on bulletin boards), as long as the other person isn't grilling me in a hostile manner (or stalking me after I turn away). As long as you treat the other person the way you'd like to be treated, I don't see what's wrong with bringing up faith and religion in a conversation.

[This message has been edited by speedracer (edited 04-23-2002).]

[U2Bama]

Deep:

okay

[Diamond The U2 Patriot]

There has been some good discussion in this thread.

Little brother, where'd you go.

Do you have anything else to add or has it all been said?


DB9


[This message has been edited by Diamond The U2 Patriot (edited 04-24-2002).]

[Amna]

Religion and faith is a beautiful concept..... It should never be used in a forceful manner or an explicit manner..... But, PLEASE DON'T USE GOD'S OR PROPHETS NAME IN VAIN....... IF YOU RESPECT THE RELIGION OR FAITH, THEN DO THAT.

[jesseu2]

i've been busy with exams and been sick, sorry i haven't responded to y'all yet...

Originally posted by Zoomerang96:
though i can see where your coming from, i still think your conscience is bothering you.

afterall, christians arent all bad ya know...

yep, my conscience always tells me things. i know christians aren't bad, they are annoying however.

Originally posted by deep:


Jesse,
Passionate believers have approached me in similar ways, like you described. I don’t blame you for being upset. I no longer allow them to waste my time. Next time just tell them, “No thank you, I have no interest.” These people have nothing to do with your salvation.

I didn'think of telling them "no thank you..." because i feel like i need to be nice cuz i don't want them to think i have a Sinful mind, which i do. hmm, i guess i'll tell em differently now cuz who do they think they are trying to pull that trip on me.

Originally posted by deep:


College campuses are always ripe for cults and fanatics. The Woronieckis (a.k.a., Andrea Yates' cult leader) visit my old campus regularly. And boy...literally everyone is going to hell according to that lunatic.
Melon

I have seen similar persons telling groups of people outside on my campus they're going to hell. it's a disgrace.

foray: of course i don't get upset when sales girls ask me about calogne or perume,

to foray an all:

i'm not anti-christian, I just wish they would do their things and 'street evangelism' differently in a way that wouldn't annoy the non-religious peoples.

---
i'll answer the rest of you later, i gotta run now

[jesseu2]

80sU2...
BTW, I ride a electronic scooter to get around campus because i get tired of walking...

Most of them do come up to me an only me when theres other people around. the reason i'm mad is because they first see me with a condition an they think i need a bible thump when i'm not into their religion to the extremes they go thru. my conscience says "please go AWAY an bible thump someone else but not me cuz of my disability" but it's the opposite an it really bugs me. Even if its not my disability, still bothers me. IMO, believers should come tO them instead if them annoying the non-believers. i'm not judging christ or his believers but i'd love it if they went about their beliefs differently. i know christians care about me but please don't care in a religious way like "god or jesus loves you", really makes me sick when i hear that towards me. i'm ok with something like "i'm proud of your accomplishments". i know jesus loves me in my heart, i don't need people telling me that. however, i feel i don't need his faith because i feel i can make it on my own. The reason i say the past sentence is because for the first time yesterday, i met a girl who understands me for who i am instead of my physical appearance, therefore; i feel loved, finally. Didn't have to mention anything religiousto impress this girl.

Originally posted by 80sU2isBest:
Do you think people would subject themselves to that if they didn't really believe in Christ and care about what happens to you?

Could you rephrase this?

[This message has been edited by jesseu2 (edited 04-26-2002).]

[jesseu2]

Originally posted by Danospano:
Jesse, you live in Arizona, right? I'm surprised that Campus Crusade type movement is so prevalent over there. I live in the bible belt and rarely see people getting together to watch "christian flicks".

Anyway, you believe in a god and you seem like a decent person. Kinda like me. Unfortunately, the extreme christians want everyone to be extreme. It's sad and it will never happen.

Dan

P.S. You speak of porno. What is your favorite film? LOL

Yea, i'm in Arizona. they have a campus crusade club at my college that some guys i known for a while try to get me to join it but i pass it up. True on the 2nd paragraph.

heh, i remember looking at your "From:" info. my fave is "Where the boys aren't 7". yours?

[80sU2isBest]

Originally posted by jesseu2:
i'm ok with something like "i'm proud of your accomplishments". i know jesus loves me in my heart, i don't need people telling me that. however, i feel i don't need his faith because i feel i can make it on my own. The reason i say the past sentence is because for the first time yesterday, i met a girl who understands me for who i am instead of my physical appearance, therefore; i feel loved, finally.
Originally posted by 80sU2isBest:
Do you think people would subject themselves to that if they didn't really believe in Christ and care about what happens to you?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Could you rephrase this?
[This message has been edited by jesseu2 (edited 04-26-2002).]

You're right when you say in effect that the methods of witnessing some people use can really turn people away. All Christians should follow Christ's methods. He loved them first, he had genuine concern for them.
I am glad that you met such a sweet girl. I live with my 23 year old nephew, who has a moderate case of cerebral palsy, and I wish he would find someone like that.
I will gladly rephrase my question. I will turn it into a statement:
My point is that Christians are called names and ridiculed all the time when they openly share their faith; in fact, in some other countries, they are jailed or even put to death. My point is that 2 things generally drive Christian to evangelizing;
1)Love for God
2)Love for other people

[dream wanderer]

I'm sorry but I'm going to add guilt or fear to that list...

Ideally the person who shares the gospel is a mature Christian with a bit of common sense...knowing when to speak...when to shut up...and how to read certain people to see if they are interested...

Too many churches take new immature Christians and thrust them right out there into the 'misssion field' with no experience of any kind...and they are usually the over zealous ones who bumble and fall. They are frightened into thinking they are disobeying God if they don't witness in a particular way..

I'm not saying they don't love God or the person they are talking to...I'm just saying they are sent out before they are ready...or for the wrong reasons..

I have been there...and done that and seen it done over and over...these people should be allowed to grow up a little spiritually before they are sent out to do serious evangelizing....

dream wanderer

[80sU2isBest]

I agree, dream wanderer

[David the Great]

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.

[Angela Harlem]

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.

[80sU2isBest]

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.

[doctorwho]

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.

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.

[BEAL]

Originally posted by doctorwho:
Spending weekends getting drunk and watching porn isn't exactly the most "holy" thing to do.

but it sure is fun!!!!

[Angela Harlem]

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.

[80sU2isBest]

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.

[doctorwho]

Originally posted by BEAL:
but it sure is fun!!!!

How would you know? Don't tell me the BEAL I love is a drunken pervert?!? Say it ain't so BEAL!