Evangelism Options

[*I Shot JFK*]

First of all, I have no clue why you put my name in there since I never said anything bad about someone. I agreed on something. I didn't agree that I feel sorry for him/her but that in this life it's all you get.

It's because your post was solely agreeing, which did not add anything new to the debate.

and silly ol' man, Rebecca specifically asked you to stop with that kind of post, so consider this to be your official verbal warning.

[sweetangel2128]

It's because your post was solely agreeing, which did not add anything new to the debate.

and silly ol' man, Rebecca specifically asked you to stop with that kind of post, so consider this to be your official verbal warning.

Well, I don't see it as a verbal warning since I did nothing wrong.

[*Duchess of Dork*]

^ James clarified my point. This isn't bashing, however, it adds absolutely nothing to the debate.

You know what I find funny? I TOTALLY AGREE

Also, he wasn't warning you, he was warning the user "silly ol' man."

Back to the debate please. (That goes for me as well as far as not contributing ) Any other questions, feel free to PM me (I have no problems discussing this :) ).

[sdingfelder]

It's been quiet for a little while, so I'll submit this to y'all...

Imagine you're riding your bike down the street. It's a beautiful day: the sun is shining, the air is crisp, the birds are singing. All of a sudden a van pulls right in front of you forcing you to stop. Before you know it, three large men in ski masks grab you, cover your head with a black sack, pull you into the van, and drive off.

You have no idea why they've taken you or where they're taking you, but they warn you that they're prepared to end your life if you don't cooperate. They stop the van after a very long time driving and, basically, drag you into someplace where they throw you into what seems like a cell. They slam the door behind you.

Because your hands are tied tightly behind your back, you still can't get the sack off your head. Straining to hear through the closed door, you hear them on the phone with your family as they demand a huge sum of money in order to return you to them. They force you to say some words on the phone to let your family know for sure that you're still alive. They tell your family that they have no problem ending your existence, so their demands will not change in any way and they mention an amount of money that you cannot imagine your family ever gathering. They hang up.

Approaching you, they tell you that you most likely will not live to see the next day. You realize that your only way out is to have their exact demands met.

Now look at real life: Aren't we all basically waiting to see if we're going to make it to see tomorrow ? Sure, we certainly have more freedom than being stuck in what seems like a cell, but if you don't consider your eternal destiny you've got a sack over your head and your not seeing what's important.

Most importantly, your ransom must be paid. Even though, you don't overhear anyone saying that a ransom must be paid for your freedom, there's a price to pay for breaking God's Ten Commandments and for breaking the conscience that He's given each person.

Who of us hasn't lied ? Who hasn't taken something that didn't belong to them ? Who hasn't blasphemed His Name ? Who hasn't looked at someone and had lustful thoughts ? You don't have to have broken all of these in order to be guilty. Break any one and you're simply waiting for judgment. You're a fugitive simply waiting to be caught. Death will capture you eventually and unless your ransom is paid before your capture, it'll be too late.

Please, please consider your eternal destiny. It's so important...

Matthew 20:28
"...just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." (NKJV)

[elaboratedream]

ScottD,
I'm not living with a bag over my head, you're living with handcuffs on your wrists and ankles.
I'd feel sorry for you, but you put them on yourself.

[sweetangel2128]

Please, please consider your eternal destiny. It's so important...
Matthew 20:28
"...just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." (NKJV)

Please, stop trying to convert people.

[kimmytree]

^ Really, my God. That's why I've gave up along time ago trying to debate with him.

ScottD, we get the picture. We all know that according to the Christian faith, we have to be saved. Blah blah blah. But throwing out verses and examples isnt going to convince ANYONE. Your just throwing out meaningless crap. If someone did actually believe in the Bible, then things like that would be okay to explain. But when your arguing the fact if the Bible is accurate or not, its useless to keep explaining stuff like that over and over again.

Your just making yourself sound worse, seriously.

[sweetangel2128]

^ Really, my God. That's why I've gave up along time ago trying to debate with him.

ScottD, we get the picture. We all know that according to the Christian faith, we have to be saved. Blah blah blah. But throwing out verses and examples isnt going to convince ANYONE. Your just throwing out meaningless crap. If someone did actually believe in the Bible, then things like that would be okay to explain. But when your arguing the fact if the Bible is accurate or not, its useless to keep explaining stuff like that over and over again.

Your just making yourself sound worse, seriously.

Good point.

[AngelinaTaylor]

It's been quiet for a little while, so I'll submit this to y'all...

Imagine you're riding your bike down the street. It's a beautiful day: the sun is shining, the air is crisp, the birds are singing. All of a sudden a van pulls right in front of you forcing you to stop. Before you know it, three large men in ski masks grab you, cover your head with a black sack, pull you into the van, and drive off.

You have no idea why they've taken you or where they're taking you, but they warn you that they're prepared to end your life if you don't cooperate. They stop the van after a very long time driving and, basically, drag you into someplace where they throw you into what seems like a cell. They slam the door behind you.

Because your hands are tied tightly behind your back, you still can't get the sack off your head. Straining to hear through the closed door, you hear them on the phone with your family as they demand a huge sum of money in order to return you to them. They force you to say some words on the phone to let your family know for sure that you're still alive. They tell your family that they have no problem ending your existence, so their demands will not change in any way and they mention an amount of money that you cannot imagine your family ever gathering. They hang up.

Approaching you, they tell you that you most likely will not live to see the next day. You realize that your only way out is to have their exact demands met.

Now look at real life: Aren't we all basically waiting to see if we're going to make it to see tomorrow ? Sure, we certainly have more freedom than being stuck in what seems like a cell, but if you don't consider your eternal destiny you've got a sack over your head and your not seeing what's important.

Most importantly, your ransom must be paid. Even though, you don't overhear anyone saying that a ransom must be paid for your freedom, there's a price to pay for breaking God's Ten Commandments and for breaking the conscience that He's given each person.

Who of us hasn't lied ? Who hasn't taken something that didn't belong to them ? Who hasn't blasphemed His Name ? Who hasn't looked at someone and had lustful thoughts ? You don't have to have broken all of these in order to be guilty. Break any one and you're simply waiting for judgment. You're a fugitive simply waiting to be caught. Death will capture you eventually and unless your ransom is paid before your capture, it'll be too late.

Please, please consider your eternal destiny. It's so important...

Matthew 20:28
"...just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." (NKJV)

Ahahahahha. Ahahahahahhahahahahah.

Yeah. Cut it out, will you? I absolutely HATE people who try to convert other people. It's not going to happen here. It's bullshit. But, of course, you won't realize that.

The brainwashing of society..

[*kryogenix*]

Ahahahahha. Ahahahahahhahahahahah.

Yeah. Cut it out, will you? I absolutely HATE people who try to convert other people. It's not going to happen here. It's bullshit. But, of course, you won't realize that.

The brainwashing of society..

Actually it does happen, and has happened here before. Just gotta get the right message to the right person at the right time. There is a right and wrong and right way to evangelize.

[sadolakced acid]

if the message of christ was really so compelling you wouldn't have to keep making metaphors about how we're blind and you're trying to do what's best for us.

[*mishyerr*]

yay, i like catholics/christians like you. :]

[sweetangel2128]

There is a right and wrong and right way to evangelize.

Sorry, I must disagree with that comment because one evangelising is basically converting others to your religion and I don't find that right. People know of the religion and they know where the church is, if they wanted to go they'd go ahead and go. So, I don't feel there is any right way to evangelise cause it will always have the "same" meaning. And it's not right to convert people to your religion unless they are wanting to be converted.

[*kryogenix*]

Sorry, I must disagree with that comment because one evangelising is basically converting others to your religion and I don't find that right. People know of the religion and they know where the church is, if they wanted to go they'd go ahead and go. So, I don't feel there is any right way to evangelise cause it will always have the "same" meaning. And it's not right to convert people to your religion unless they are wanting to be converted.

I'm not converting anyone. YOU make the decision to convert. I'm just helping you make an informed decision.

Put it this way... if you see someone doing something wrong, wouldn't it be a loving thing to tell them not to do it to prevent them from hurting themselves? I can't speak for everyone, but I don't hang around here for my own good.

[sweetangel2128]

I'm not converting anyone. YOU make the decision to convert. I'm just helping you make an informed decision.

Put it this way... if you see someone doing something wrong, wouldn't it be a loving thing to tell them not to do it to prevent them from hurting themselves? I can't speak for everyone, but I don't hang around here for my own good.

It is converting no matter which way you put it, nicely or badly..it all means the same thing. Believe me, I know I used to be a part of the Evangelising team when I WAS a Christian.

That's what I don't get..just because someone doesn't follow your religioin doesn't signify they are doing something bad and you feel the need to save them...now if they are actually doing something you believe to be bad to there health such as smoking pot and your a friend, I'd understand..but this is religion were speaking of.

[*kryogenix*]

It is converting no matter which way you put it, nicely or badly..it all means the same thing. Believe me, I know I used to be a part of the Evangelising team when I WAS a Christian.

That's what I don't get..just because someone doesn't follow your religioin doesn't signify they are doing something bad and you feel the need to save them...now if they are actually doing something you believe to be bad to there health such as smoking pot and your a friend, I'd understand..but this is religion were speaking of.

No, it isn't converting. You might call it proselytizing, but I'm not converting anyone. No one can convert other people; people can only convert themselves.

Furthermore, I don't see what's wrong with the way I go about doing things. I'm interested in Catholic apologetics. Usually, I talk when someone else brings something up. If someone makes a misstatement, I have every right to correct them, or at least, share my opinion.

Your line "this is religion we're speaking of" demonstrates to me that either 1) you don't know/understand or 2) you don't care [about the importance of religion]. Tell me which one and we'll take this discussion from there.

[sweetangel2128]

No, it isn't converting. You might call it proselytizing, but I'm not converting anyone. No one can convert other people; people can only convert themselves.

Furthermore, I don't see what's wrong with the way I go about doing things. I'm interested in Catholic apologetics. Usually, I talk when someone else brings something up. If someone makes a misstatement, I have every right to correct them, or at least, share my opinion.

Your line "this is religion we're speaking of" demonstrates to me that either 1) you don't know/understand or 2) you don't care [about the importance of religion]. Tell me which one and we'll take this discussion from there.

Oh I understand and people can be converted and evangleising is converting other people, it's called making people aware of Jesus and trying to get them to join your religion, that is converting.

Convert - "to cause to adopt a different religion, political doctrine, opinion, etc."

Like I said no matter which way you put it, it's still converting someone to your religion. Like I said I was a Christian for 2 1/2 years and was on the Evangelising team. One thing we did was stand out on the street and tell people about God to get them saved...that IS converting.

As for me not taking the importance of religion..there is no IMPORTANCE...religion is something people choose to go with and it is not something important. You do not need a religion or a belief in something to make it through life or to live...when I think of importance, I think of food and water...or a place to live.

I stopped being a Christian because I couldn't follow EVERYTHING the Bible said because for one it's not "actual" proof, we don't know if it's real, I found Christians to be very judgemental and converted people a lot (I was converted in fact by my ex-best friend), too many rules to live by and I had people telling me left & right that if I wasn't with God of if my boyfriend wasn't with God we'd go to Hell because if you are not with God your with Satan...I found it to be total bullcrap.

[PINAYSTER]

weird.
my last name is Evangelista

im catholic.

[*kryogenix*]

Oh I understand and people can be converted and evangleising is converting other people, it's called making people aware of Jesus and trying to get them to join your religion, that is converting.

Convert - "to cause to adopt a different religion, political doctrine, opinion, etc."

Like I said no matter which way you put it, it's still converting someone to your religion. Like I said I was a Christian for 2 1/2 years and was on the Evangelising team. One thing we did was stand out on the street and tell people about God to get them saved...that IS converting.

No, you don't understand.

I can't convert you. I can attempt to tell you things that make you want to convert, but ultimately, it is YOUR decision to convert. No matter how compelling of an argument I make, if a person is so closed minded to a belief, they will not convert. evangelism != converting. Take your standing on the street story. If you stand and the street and yell at people and say "I converted 10 people today" but they didn't change their beliefs, is your statement correct? No, it is only correct if you were able to convince those 10 people. You could say "I evangelized to 10 people today," but saying you "converted" them would be incorrect unless you were able to get them to change their beliefs.

Anyway, you're playing with semantics here, so there's really no use arguing that anymore unless you can get past the wording.

As for me not taking the importance of religion..there is no IMPORTANCE...religion is something people choose to go with and it is not something important. You do not need a religion or a belief in something to make it through life or to live...when I think of importance, I think of food and water...or a place to live.

Then what is the purpose of this life? Do you believe in the possibility of an afterlife? In a possibility for God? If not, then are you really an agnostic as you so claim?

I stopped being a Christian because I couldn't follow EVERYTHING the Bible said because for one it's not "actual" proof, we don't know if it's real, I found Christians to be very judgemental and converted people a lot (I was converted in fact by my ex-best friend), too many rules to live by and I had people telling me left & right that if I wasn't with God of if my boyfriend wasn't with God we'd go to Hell because if you are not with God your with Satan...I found it to be total bullcrap.

You can't follow all the rules... does that mean because you don't believe the rules are fair, or because you are physically, mentally and spiritually incapable of following those rules? Either way, you can get help.

I was effectively an agnostic early last year until I started seriously reading theology and philosophy. Sometimes you have to approach things with humility and an open mind. Giving up your chance for salvation based on the actions and attitudes of others is rash, to say the least. Just because other people don't live in God's example doesn't mean you shouldn't either.

If you'd like some resources, reading material, people to talk to, feel free to privately message me.

[sweetangel2128]

Then what is the purpose of this life? Do you believe in the possibility of an afterlife? In a possibility for God? If not, then are you really an agnostic as you so claim?
You can't follow all the rules... does that mean because you don't believe the rules are fair, or because you are physically, mentally and spiritually incapable of following those rules? Either way, you can get help.

I am an Agnostic because I don't know or unsure of the existance of God, that is the meaning of being an Agnostic. Yes, I believe there is a POSSIBLITY of an afterlife, but I also believe there is a huge POSSIBLITY of evolution and there is a POSSIBLITY that there is no afterlife, we do not know that for sure. We do not know the purpose of life until after we die. I believe our purpose is to live this life and after we die, we either go to Heaven, Hell or possibly nowhere if God doesn't exist. Like, I said I believe God could exist and probably does but I don't believe in the Christian God, I do believe God could of created us all and created the world but I do not believe in God's rules...I believe those were most likely made up by man but like I said, we don't know that for sure.

When I said I couldn't follow the rules of the Word of God as every Christian put it. I meant that I disagreed with the rules and I didn't believe God would actually do all that to the human race or make rules like that. It made no sense to me. It has NOTHING to do with me being physically, mentally and spiritually incapable of following those rules.

Either way I can get help? What in the world is that suppose to mean? You act like I'm in trouble, or need help. I do not need to be saved.

[Kontroll]

I believe that people should have the free will to choose whatever religion that makes them a better person. Isn't that the base of what religion is supposed to help you do in your life, really? To make yourself a better person. And if someone is happy with how their own religion is improving their life, it isn't right to impose what you think would make their life better.

It's not imposing. It's sharing. Sharing...See...look at that word. SHARING. We're not going up to them and saying 'hey believin in this or die.' We ask them about it. What they know. If they have ever heard of it. If not, we tell them about it. It's definitely not imposing because we leave room for them to say, 'No thanks. Not for me.'

Seriously.

[sdingfelder]

Imagine you're on a plane and the captain makes an announcement:

"Sorry to interrupt, folks, but I have some bad news. The tail of our aircraft has just come off and we're plummeting toward the ground. We have no idea why this happened, so we really apologize for the inconvenience.

Just so you know, there's a parachute under your seat. Have a nice day."

What do you do ? Is just knowing that the parachute is there going to do you any good ? Even if you BELIEVE that the parachute is the ONLY WAY to survive the crash that's coming, does it do you any good to leave it under your seat ? Of course not.

You've got to put that parachute on.

Evangelism is about telling people of the crash that's coming and then telling them about the only parachute designed so that you can survive the fall.

Please don't reject the parachute. Please don't leave it under your seat. Please put it on and know that you'll survive the fall.

[sweetangel2128]

Imagine you're on a plane and the captain makes an announcement:

"Sorry to interrupt, folks, but I have some bad news. The tail of our aircraft has just come off and we're plummeting toward the ground. We have no idea why this happened, so we really apologize for the inconvenience.

Just so you know, there's a parachute under your seat. Have a nice day."

What do you do ? Is just knowing that the parachute is there going to do you any good ? Even if you BELIEVE that the parachute is the ONLY WAY to survive the crash that's coming, does it do you any good to leave it under your seat ? Of course not.

You've got to put that parachute on.

Evangelism is about telling people of the crash that's coming and then telling them about the only parachute designed so that you can survive the fall.

Please don't reject the parachute. Please don't leave it under your seat. Please put it on and know that you'll survive the fall.

This is a discussion about religion and religion is not based on life or death, not having a parachute is.

[kimmytree]

Are you kidding me? Choosing between actually using the paratute or not is COMPLETELY different. The pilot would be telling you that the plane was going to crash, and you'd be able too look out your window and see that you were going to crash, and you'd probably even feel it just by being in your seat. So obviously the plane is going to crash.

But with salvation, thats totally different. Just because a book written hundreds of years ago, and the new testament written hundreds of years after Jesus's death says something, doesnt mean its necessarily true. Its no different than your parents convincing you that Santa is real. You wake up Christmas morning and there's presents under the tree, and he ate the milk and cookies you left out for him, so he's obviously real, right?



Plus, if God is all knowing like the Bible says he is, then he knows everything thats going on now, and what will happen in the future, correct? Correct. Just like he knows what we're going to have for breakfast next week, who we're going to marry, ect. So if he knows all that, he'd have to know if someone is going die without trusting in him. So if God is really all knowing, and you have to be saved to go to heaven, then it sounds to me like salvation is pre-determined. If it wasnt, he'd throw out curve balls and make sure that no one passed away without knowing him (thats assuming he's the kind and loving God he claims to be). How pathetic is that? Thats why I dont believe it.

[*kryogenix*]

I am an Agnostic because I don't know or unsure of the existance of God, that is the meaning of being an Agnostic. Yes, I believe there is a POSSIBLITY of an afterlife, but I also believe there is a huge POSSIBLITY of evolution and there is a POSSIBLITY that there is no afterlife, we do not know that for sure. We do not know the purpose of life until after we die. I believe our purpose is to live this life and after we die, we either go to Heaven, Hell or possibly nowhere if God doesn't exist. Like, I said I believe God could exist and probably does but I don't believe in the Christian God, I do believe God could of created us all and created the world but I do not believe in God's rules...I believe those were most likely made up by man but like I said, we don't know that for sure.

Are you willing to take Pascal's Wager?

When I said I couldn't follow the rules of the Word of God as every Christian put it. I meant that I disagreed with the rules and I didn't believe God would actually do all that to the human race or make rules like that. It made no sense to me. It has NOTHING to do with me being physically, mentally and spiritually incapable of following those rules.

Make a new thread for each rule you disagree with.

Either way I can get help? What in the world is that suppose to mean? You act like I'm in trouble, or need help. I do not need to be saved.

If it is true that God exists and that the "rules" are to be followed, then you are in a bit of trouble.

This is a discussion about religion and religion is not based on life or death, not having a parachute is.

Spiritual life or death?