Most people, whether on purpose or accidentaly, have an ideal christian already in there mind. They think "Well, since this guy isn't exactly the image i had of a christian, he must either be a fake, or all christians are this way". That's bull. First of all, because someone is christian does not mean he has to hold to certain point's of view. Just like all republicans didn't agree on all of Bush's points. Secondly, just because we have the courage to put ourselves out there as christians doesn't mean we are going to be perfect. That's not what christianity is. It's about forgiveness and reconciliation. Last of all, why, oh why, do we always get albeled politically retarded if we don't hold to certain "christian political beliefs"? we don't all think the same, and we shouldn't be treated like we have to all have the same views, or else we are fake. And yeah, we do have a lot of discord throughout the christian community, but then again, who doesn't? We don't fight anymore than the atheists do, do we? So chew on that, while you decide your spiritual view on the world.

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I'm moving to Canada

Mr-Soviet

Kinda funny that you posted that. The question I have been trying to answer for years is 'why do atheists try to convert people?' I am constantly amazed as I personally don't try to convert people to Christianity.

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Order without liberty and liberty without order are equally destructive. - Theodore Roosevelt

Are you christian?

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I'm moving to Canada

Mr-Soviet

Why am I Christian? Do you expect me to answer that?

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Order without liberty and liberty without order are equally destructive. - Theodore Roosevelt

i mean, if you are christian, it is your job to lead people to christ. that's the point.

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I'm moving to Canada

Mr-Soviet

My guess would be that the same kind of people and personalities, who are trying to convert people to religions, are trying to convert people to atheism. It is just a different camp with the same people. I'm myself an atheist and I have no need to convert people to fit my religious/secular ideals (I try to convert people only to my political ideas )

I see the religion having much more connection with such things as happiness, values and personal identity than with the truth, reality or factual issues. I can understand, why people want and need to believe in things (I believed once myself). If I knew for certain, that I would be simply happier and more succesful as a human being, if I chose a certain religion, I could really do so, even if the religion worshipped some Australian Capitalistic Gold-nose Kangaroo. It is not so much a factual issue as it is a happiness one.

I also have a certain respect for different philosophies and moral guidance included in certain religions (like Christianity). It is kind of sad, that religions like also other ideals, have been so much misused and abused. Offenly, the man has changed the religion and it's message more than the religion and it's message has changed the man. After all, was it not the West with both the most pacifistic and peace loving religion and with the most violent history of war?

- BtD

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"Orthodoxy means not thinking - not needing to think. Orthodoxy is unconsciousness."
[George Orwell, 1984]
"Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four. If that is granted, all else follows."
[George Orwell, 1984]

I'm a christian but I guess that I missed it when God told me to convert everyone.

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Society is produced by our wants and government by our wickedness ~Thomas Paine

There is so much to say here. First, leading people to Christ is not quite the same as 'trying to convert them.' When the Bible says you should not go door to door, I believe that it's because when you push people, they "get farther away." Of course, I've always felt qualified to teach my own kids my beliefs. And, I don't often shrink from discussion. However, Nothing can be gained by confronting an atheist with a heart full of hate.

My uncle recently died. He claimed to be an atheist and proud of it. I knew that he had been raised in the church, that he knew what he needed to know. Mostly, I knew that God is perfect. God knows my uncle's heart far better than I.

My brother is a self-righteous atheist. We have had few enjoyable discussions. Usually, he just argues that a true God wouldn't let such and such happen. "If I were God...." I find it amazing that he seems to be trying to convince me that God can't possibly exist - I don't start these discussions. Why does he do this? How can anyone have this kind of ego?

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Order without liberty and liberty without order are equally destructive. - Theodore Roosevelt

Just re-read Matthew.....God makes it pretty clear.....

Matt. 28 -

16Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

That's pretty black and white what our purpose as Christians are.......

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II Cor 4:18

It certainly seems obvious what Jesus wanted his disciples to do. Many people consider themselves disciples. I tend to agree with the statement below. Also, I believe that Christians should always remain on firm ground. By that I mean not teaching without full maturity and knowledge. An ignorant Christian can do a lot of harm and little good, IMO. I don't mean to say anyone here is ignorant. Just that I personally try to be very careful about anything I may try to teach.

http://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/...ce/CT/BQA/k/68

...The apostle Paul had his own hired house at Rome where he "received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God," which Jesus had commanded His true servant to preach (Acts 28:30-31). The apostle Paul was taught the gospel personally by Jesus Christ Himself (I Corinthians 15:8; Galatians 1:11 — 2:2). One of Jesus' teachings is that we should not force the gospel upon anyone (Matthew 7:6; 10:11-15). Therefore, it is evident that Paul did not go from house to house trying to convert people. When Paul preached publicly, it was primarily in the synagogues of his day.

Today, when the gospel is proclaimed, anyone is at liberty to listen or not to listen. The gospel is also being published and sent free of charge to all who request it. Also, as in the example given in the New Testament, church of God ministers will go into the homes of people who invite them to counsel with them. They will not go uninvited into people's homes to try to persuade and teach them Bible truths. God's truth should never be forced on anyone. As Jesus remarks in Matthew 7:6, the truth is too precious for that...

...The example of Jesus Christ and His apostles shows we should not to preach from house to house. Neither should we accept into our homes any peddlers of religion who might show up on our doorstep.

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Order without liberty and liberty without order are equally destructive. - Theodore Roosevelt