Evangelization Vs. Proselytization

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Frankly I didn’t care enough to read every word of your exceedingly long post. I will sum up my concerns in a concise manner—are you trying to make me take time out of my day to listen to you talk about your religion? If so, stop it. Evangelizing or proselytizing, it is unwanted and will never endear your faith to me.

This. If someone approaches me because they want to tell me a version of why their religion is right and my religion is wrong, I don't care if they consider it to be evangelizing or proselytizing -- I don't want it.

Fine. An adult would say “no thanks” or just plain “no.” Instead of freaking out in person or on DCUM for days.

No one is freaking out. You're the one who wrote a much too long post about a semantic difference that doesn't matter.

I’m a DP. I’m not even all that religious, but yes, you and pp with the JWs at her door are freaking out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Frankly I didn’t care enough to read every word of your exceedingly long post. I will sum up my concerns in a concise manner—are you trying to make me take time out of my day to listen to you talk about your religion? If so, stop it. Evangelizing or proselytizing, it is unwanted and will never endear your faith to me.

Sorry, but we are blessed to have basic human rights in our country.

I am not in your presence and I didn’t push your finger to click on this thread, you chose to do so. How are you being made to read this thread?

You made a choice to come to a religious forum, where people post about religion. Maybe you should not come to a religious forum if you don’t like religion., or people talking about religion.

It’s nonsensical to do so, and then claim to be victimized by “proselytizing.”

I didn't claim that you were proselytizing by posting this thread. I am explaining my feelings towards people who approach me--on the street, ringing my doorbell, etc. My point is that people who feel as I do don't care about semantics. We just don't want to be asked to take time from our day to listen to a monologue from someone who has a very certain point of view. If I want to learn more about a particular religion, I will take a class on it (and I have).

Unfortunately for you, we live in a country that cherishes religious freedom.
People who do those things are legally and morally allowed to do so.

Are you the poster that had a very extreme reaction to having their doorbell rung by religious people? I think in that thread, a thread about realtors putting flyers in people’s mailboxes about selling their homes was referenced from the real estate forum. It was rationally explained by many posters (and not religious posters) that people who have extreme anxiety and an outsized need to control society have issues they need to deal with.

We all encounter minor annoyances and opinions that counter our own. Our desire to silence other opinions because we don’t like them runs counter to everything our country was built upon. It is unnatural in America to wish to silence other citizens, and legally, not going to happen. We live in a free society.

I am not that poster and don't know the thread you are referring to. I did not say that people are not legally or morally forbidden to do these things. What I am trying to convey is that doing these things has the exact opposite effect that proselytizers/evangelists/whatever you want to call it desire. I assume that the desire is to interest other people in the given religion. However, when people accost me to tell me about their religion, rather than interest me, it engenders a negative opinion of the religion, as it's quite intrusive.

On the flip side, I find other religions, ones whose adherents do not inconvenience me, to be intriguing, and I am more likely to seek out information on those religions.

How you feel about religion and the differences between religions is your personal opinion, which is valid and fine.

However, Christians don’t try to convert you. They believe only God can change your mind and heart about religion, and change you into a Christian. As Christians, we don’t have any power to make you become a Christian or live as a Christian. I don’t think people understand that, because every post claims Christians think they can change someone into a Christian by talking to them or taking them to church. That’s not how it works.

Christians, some of us, do like to tell people about God. That’s personal testimony and sharing the Good News, and Jesus Christ instructs us to do so.

Please tell us you aren’t interested and move along with your day.

America was based upon freedom of speech, religion, the press, etc. You can’t stop people from saying things you don’t like, and lots of people will say things you don’t like. As adults, we learn that other people think differently than we do, and we go about our day. We don’t become enraged and hostile and try to make people stop thinking what they want or saying what they want. Legally, ethically, morally, people have a right to be religious in public and your right is to ignore them.

I am curious. Suppose a high quality study, from an organization you trusted came out and found that the PP’s experience is common. In other words, sharing your religious findings with strangers tends to turn off the listener rather than make them more open to learning about Christianity (or whatever your religion is). Would you still believe in personal testimony and sharing the Good News even if it were shown to drive people away?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Frankly I didn’t care enough to read every word of your exceedingly long post. I will sum up my concerns in a concise manner—are you trying to make me take time out of my day to listen to you talk about your religion? If so, stop it. Evangelizing or proselytizing, it is unwanted and will never endear your faith to me.

Sorry, but we are blessed to have basic human rights in our country.

I am not in your presence and I didn’t push your finger to click on this thread, you chose to do so. How are you being made to read this thread?

You made a choice to come to a religious forum, where people post about religion. Maybe you should not come to a religious forum if you don’t like religion., or people talking about religion.

It’s nonsensical to do so, and then claim to be victimized by “proselytizing.”

I didn't claim that you were proselytizing by posting this thread. I am explaining my feelings towards people who approach me--on the street, ringing my doorbell, etc. My point is that people who feel as I do don't care about semantics. We just don't want to be asked to take time from our day to listen to a monologue from someone who has a very certain point of view. If I want to learn more about a particular religion, I will take a class on it (and I have).

Unfortunately for you, we live in a country that cherishes religious freedom.
People who do those things are legally and morally allowed to do so.

Are you the poster that had a very extreme reaction to having their doorbell rung by religious people? I think in that thread, a thread about realtors putting flyers in people’s mailboxes about selling their homes was referenced from the real estate forum. It was rationally explained by many posters (and not religious posters) that people who have extreme anxiety and an outsized need to control society have issues they need to deal with.

We all encounter minor annoyances and opinions that counter our own. Our desire to silence other opinions because we don’t like them runs counter to everything our country was built upon. It is unnatural in America to wish to silence other citizens, and legally, not going to happen. We live in a free society.

I am not that poster and don't know the thread you are referring to. I did not say that people are not legally or morally forbidden to do these things. What I am trying to convey is that doing these things has the exact opposite effect that proselytizers/evangelists/whatever you want to call it desire. I assume that the desire is to interest other people in the given religion. However, when people accost me to tell me about their religion, rather than interest me, it engenders a negative opinion of the religion, as it's quite intrusive.

On the flip side, I find other religions, ones whose adherents do not inconvenience me, to be intriguing, and I am more likely to seek out information on those religions.

However, when people accost me to tell me about their religion, rather than interest me, it engenders a negative opinion of the religion, as it's quite intrusive.

On the flip side, I find other religions, ones whose adherents do not inconvenience me, to be intriguing, and I am more likely to seek out information on those religions.[u] [i]

You are not alone in your feelings about this subject. However, your feelings don’t negate our laws and freedoms.

I went with my daughter’s girl scout troop when girl scouts went d2d to sell cookies, years ago. Some people were hateful directly to the young girls I chaperoned because they dared knock on their door and politely asked if they (the resident) would like to buy a box of cookies?

It is very hard to believe, but lots of people were angry because the girl scouts knocked on their door and interrupted them. It was disturbing. If someone has such a strong reaction to contact with people in their community, they may want to live somewhere with less or no people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Frankly I didn’t care enough to read every word of your exceedingly long post. I will sum up my concerns in a concise manner—are you trying to make me take time out of my day to listen to you talk about your religion? If so, stop it. Evangelizing or proselytizing, it is unwanted and will never endear your faith to me.

Sorry, but we are blessed to have basic human rights in our country.

I am not in your presence and I didn’t push your finger to click on this thread, you chose to do so. How are you being made to read this thread?

You made a choice to come to a religious forum, where people post about religion. Maybe you should not come to a religious forum if you don’t like religion., or people talking about religion.

It’s nonsensical to do so, and then claim to be victimized by “proselytizing.”

I didn't claim that you were proselytizing by posting this thread. I am explaining my feelings towards people who approach me--on the street, ringing my doorbell, etc. My point is that people who feel as I do don't care about semantics. We just don't want to be asked to take time from our day to listen to a monologue from someone who has a very certain point of view. If I want to learn more about a particular religion, I will take a class on it (and I have).

Unfortunately for you, we live in a country that cherishes religious freedom.
People who do those things are legally and morally allowed to do so.

Are you the poster that had a very extreme reaction to having their doorbell rung by religious people? I think in that thread, a thread about realtors putting flyers in people’s mailboxes about selling their homes was referenced from the real estate forum. It was rationally explained by many posters (and not religious posters) that people who have extreme anxiety and an outsized need to control society have issues they need to deal with.

We all encounter minor annoyances and opinions that counter our own. Our desire to silence other opinions because we don’t like them runs counter to everything our country was built upon. It is unnatural in America to wish to silence other citizens, and legally, not going to happen. We live in a free society.

I am not that poster and don't know the thread you are referring to. I did not say that people are not legally or morally forbidden to do these things. What I am trying to convey is that doing these things has the exact opposite effect that proselytizers/evangelists/whatever you want to call it desire. I assume that the desire is to interest other people in the given religion. However, when people accost me to tell me about their religion, rather than interest me, it engenders a negative opinion of the religion, as it's quite intrusive.

On the flip side, I find other religions, ones whose adherents do not inconvenience me, to be intriguing, and I am more likely to seek out information on those religions.

However, when people accost me to tell me about their religion, rather than interest me, it engenders a negative opinion of the religion, as it's quite intrusive.

On the flip side, I find other religions, ones whose adherents do not inconvenience me, to be intriguing, and I am more likely to seek out information on those religions.[u] [i]

You are not alone in your feelings about this subject. However, your feelings don’t negate our laws and freedoms.

I went with my daughter’s girl scout troop when girl scouts went d2d to sell cookies, years ago. Some people were hateful directly to the young girls I chaperoned because they dared knock on their door and politely asked if they (the resident) would like to buy a box of cookies?

It is very hard to believe, but lots of people were angry because the girl scouts knocked on their door and interrupted them. It was disturbing. If someone has such a strong reaction to contact with people in their community, they may want to live somewhere with less or no people.

Once again, for those in the back: no one on this thread has suggested that anyone should be legally prohibited from annoying other people, be it via proselytizing or cookie selling. But your rights also don’t negate our feelings, which are negative, due to your behavior. We don’t have to look kindly upon your activity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Frankly I didn’t care enough to read every word of your exceedingly long post. I will sum up my concerns in a concise manner—are you trying to make me take time out of my day to listen to you talk about your religion? If so, stop it. Evangelizing or proselytizing, it is unwanted and will never endear your faith to me.

This

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Frankly I didn’t care enough to read every word of your exceedingly long post. I will sum up my concerns in a concise manner—are you trying to make me take time out of my day to listen to you talk about your religion? If so, stop it. Evangelizing or proselytizing, it is unwanted and will never endear your faith to me.

Sorry, but we are blessed to have basic human rights in our country.

I am not in your presence and I didn’t push your finger to click on this thread, you chose to do so. How are you being made to read this thread?

You made a choice to come to a religious forum, where people post about religion. Maybe you should not come to a religious forum if you don’t like religion., or people talking about religion.

It’s nonsensical to do so, and then claim to be victimized by “proselytizing.”

I didn't claim that you were proselytizing by posting this thread. I am explaining my feelings towards people who approach me--on the street, ringing my doorbell, etc. My point is that people who feel as I do don't care about semantics. We just don't want to be asked to take time from our day to listen to a monologue from someone who has a very certain point of view. If I want to learn more about a particular religion, I will take a class on it (and I have).

Unfortunately for you, we live in a country that cherishes religious freedom.
People who do those things are legally and morally allowed to do so.

Are you the poster that had a very extreme reaction to having their doorbell rung by religious people? I think in that thread, a thread about realtors putting flyers in people’s mailboxes about selling their homes was referenced from the real estate forum. It was rationally explained by many posters (and not religious posters) that people who have extreme anxiety and an outsized need to control society have issues they need to deal with.

We all encounter minor annoyances and opinions that counter our own. Our desire to silence other opinions because we don’t like them runs counter to everything our country was built upon. It is unnatural in America to wish to silence other citizens, and legally, not going to happen. We live in a free society.

I am not that poster and don't know the thread you are referring to. I did not say that people are not legally or morally forbidden to do these things. What I am trying to convey is that doing these things has the exact opposite effect that proselytizers/evangelists/whatever you want to call it desire. I assume that the desire is to interest other people in the given religion. However, when people accost me to tell me about their religion, rather than interest me, it engenders a negative opinion of the religion, as it's quite intrusive.

On the flip side, I find other religions, ones whose adherents do not inconvenience me, to be intriguing, and I am more likely to seek out information on those religions.

However, when people accost me to tell me about their religion, rather than interest me, it engenders a negative opinion of the religion, as it's quite intrusive.

On the flip side, I find other religions, ones whose adherents do not inconvenience me, to be intriguing, and I am more likely to seek out information on those religions.[u] [i]

You are not alone in your feelings about this subject. However, your feelings don’t negate our laws and freedoms.

I went with my daughter’s girl scout troop when girl scouts went d2d to sell cookies, years ago. Some people were hateful directly to the young girls I chaperoned because they dared knock on their door and politely asked if they (the resident) would like to buy a box of cookies?

It is very hard to believe, but lots of people were angry because the girl scouts knocked on their door and interrupted them. It was disturbing. If someone has such a strong reaction to contact with people in their community, they may want to live somewhere with less or no people.

Once again, for those in the back: no one on this thread has suggested that anyone should be legally prohibited from annoying other people, be it via proselytizing or cookie selling. But your rights also don’t negate our feelings, which are negative, due to your behavior. We don’t have to look kindly upon your activity.

You also don’t get to define it. Christians condemn proselytizing and believe only God can change a person into a Christian.

Who are you speaking for when you say “we?” An organization?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Frankly I didn’t care enough to read every word of your exceedingly long post. I will sum up my concerns in a concise manner—are you trying to make me take time out of my day to listen to you talk about your religion? If so, stop it. Evangelizing or proselytizing, it is unwanted and will never endear your faith to me.

Sorry, but we are blessed to have basic human rights in our country.

I am not in your presence and I didn’t push your finger to click on this thread, you chose to do so. How are you being made to read this thread?

You made a choice to come to a religious forum, where people post about religion. Maybe you should not come to a religious forum if you don’t like religion., or people talking about religion.

It’s nonsensical to do so, and then claim to be victimized by “proselytizing.”

I didn't claim that you were proselytizing by posting this thread. I am explaining my feelings towards people who approach me--on the street, ringing my doorbell, etc. My point is that people who feel as I do don't care about semantics. We just don't want to be asked to take time from our day to listen to a monologue from someone who has a very certain point of view. If I want to learn more about a particular religion, I will take a class on it (and I have).

Unfortunately for you, we live in a country that cherishes religious freedom.
People who do those things are legally and morally allowed to do so.

Are you the poster that had a very extreme reaction to having their doorbell rung by religious people? I think in that thread, a thread about realtors putting flyers in people’s mailboxes about selling their homes was referenced from the real estate forum. It was rationally explained by many posters (and not religious posters) that people who have extreme anxiety and an outsized need to control society have issues they need to deal with.

We all encounter minor annoyances and opinions that counter our own. Our desire to silence other opinions because we don’t like them runs counter to everything our country was built upon. It is unnatural in America to wish to silence other citizens, and legally, not going to happen. We live in a free society.

I am not that poster and don't know the thread you are referring to. I did not say that people are not legally or morally forbidden to do these things. What I am trying to convey is that doing these things has the exact opposite effect that proselytizers/evangelists/whatever you want to call it desire. I assume that the desire is to interest other people in the given religion. However, when people accost me to tell me about their religion, rather than interest me, it engenders a negative opinion of the religion, as it's quite intrusive.

On the flip side, I find other religions, ones whose adherents do not inconvenience me, to be intriguing, and I am more likely to seek out information on those religions.

How you feel about religion and the differences between religions is your personal opinion, which is valid and fine.

However, Christians don’t try to convert you. They believe only God can change your mind and heart about religion, and change you into a Christian. As Christians, we don’t have any power to make you become a Christian or live as a Christian. I don’t think people understand that, because every post claims Christians think they can change someone into a Christian by talking to them or taking them to church. That’s not how it works.

Christians, some of us, do like to tell people about God. That’s personal testimony and sharing the Good News, and Jesus Christ instructs us to do so.

Please tell us you aren’t interested and move along with your day.

America was based upon freedom of speech, religion, the press, etc. You can’t stop people from saying things you don’t like, and lots of people will say things you don’t like. As adults, we learn that other people think differently than we do, and we go about our day. We don’t become enraged and hostile and try to make people stop thinking what they want or saying what they want. Legally, ethically, morally, people have a right to be religious in public and your right is to ignore them.

I am curious. Suppose a high quality study, from an organization you trusted came out and found that the PP’s experience is common. In other words, sharing your religious findings with strangers tends to turn off the listener rather than make them more open to learning about Christianity (or whatever your religion is). Would you still believe in personal testimony and sharing the Good News even if it were shown to drive people away?

What studies do you follow in your life and base your behavior on?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Frankly I didn’t care enough to read every word of your exceedingly long post. I will sum up my concerns in a concise manner—are you trying to make me take time out of my day to listen to you talk about your religion? If so, stop it. Evangelizing or proselytizing, it is unwanted and will never endear your faith to me.

Sorry, but we are blessed to have basic human rights in our country.

I am not in your presence and I didn’t push your finger to click on this thread, you chose to do so. How are you being made to read this thread?

You made a choice to come to a religious forum, where people post about religion. Maybe you should not come to a religious forum if you don’t like religion., or people talking about religion.

It’s nonsensical to do so, and then claim to be victimized by “proselytizing.”

I didn't claim that you were proselytizing by posting this thread. I am explaining my feelings towards people who approach me--on the street, ringing my doorbell, etc. My point is that people who feel as I do don't care about semantics. We just don't want to be asked to take time from our day to listen to a monologue from someone who has a very certain point of view. If I want to learn more about a particular religion, I will take a class on it (and I have).

Unfortunately for you, we live in a country that cherishes religious freedom.
People who do those things are legally and morally allowed to do so.

Are you the poster that had a very extreme reaction to having their doorbell rung by religious people? I think in that thread, a thread about realtors putting flyers in people’s mailboxes about selling their homes was referenced from the real estate forum. It was rationally explained by many posters (and not religious posters) that people who have extreme anxiety and an outsized need to control society have issues they need to deal with.

We all encounter minor annoyances and opinions that counter our own. Our desire to silence other opinions because we don’t like them runs counter to everything our country was built upon. It is unnatural in America to wish to silence other citizens, and legally, not going to happen. We live in a free society.

I am not that poster and don't know the thread you are referring to. I did not say that people are not legally or morally forbidden to do these things. What I am trying to convey is that doing these things has the exact opposite effect that proselytizers/evangelists/whatever you want to call it desire. I assume that the desire is to interest other people in the given religion. However, when people accost me to tell me about their religion, rather than interest me, it engenders a negative opinion of the religion, as it's quite intrusive.

On the flip side, I find other religions, ones whose adherents do not inconvenience me, to be intriguing, and I am more likely to seek out information on those religions.

However, when people accost me to tell me about their religion, rather than interest me, it engenders a negative opinion of the religion, as it's quite intrusive.

On the flip side, I find other religions, ones whose adherents do not inconvenience me, to be intriguing, and I am more likely to seek out information on those religions.[u] [i]

You are not alone in your feelings about this subject. However, your feelings don’t negate our laws and freedoms.

I went with my daughter’s girl scout troop when girl scouts went d2d to sell cookies, years ago. Some people were hateful directly to the young girls I chaperoned because they dared knock on their door and politely asked if they (the resident) would like to buy a box of cookies?

It is very hard to believe, but lots of people were angry because the girl scouts knocked on their door and interrupted them. It was disturbing. If someone has such a strong reaction to contact with people in their community, they may want to live somewhere with less or no people.

Once again, for those in the back: no one on this thread has suggested that anyone should be legally prohibited from annoying other people, be it via proselytizing or cookie selling. But your rights also don’t negate our feelings, which are negative, due to your behavior. We don’t have to look kindly upon your activity.

You also don’t get to define it. Christians condemn proselytizing and believe only God can change a person into a Christian.

Who are you speaking for when you say “we?” An organization?

Like I said, I don’t care what you call it. I don’t want to discuss religion with a stranger. When I say we I am referring to the people on this thread who have written +1 to my post, indicating that this behavior also annoys them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Frankly I didn’t care enough to read every word of your exceedingly long post. I will sum up my concerns in a concise manner—are you trying to make me take time out of my day to listen to you talk about your religion? If so, stop it. Evangelizing or proselytizing, it is unwanted and will never endear your faith to me.

Sorry, but we are blessed to have basic human rights in our country.

I am not in your presence and I didn’t push your finger to click on this thread, you chose to do so. How are you being made to read this thread?

You made a choice to come to a religious forum, where people post about religion. Maybe you should not come to a religious forum if you don’t like religion., or people talking about religion.

It’s nonsensical to do so, and then claim to be victimized by “proselytizing.”

I didn't claim that you were proselytizing by posting this thread. I am explaining my feelings towards people who approach me--on the street, ringing my doorbell, etc. My point is that people who feel as I do don't care about semantics. We just don't want to be asked to take time from our day to listen to a monologue from someone who has a very certain point of view. If I want to learn more about a particular religion, I will take a class on it (and I have).

Unfortunately for you, we live in a country that cherishes religious freedom.
People who do those things are legally and morally allowed to do so.

Are you the poster that had a very extreme reaction to having their doorbell rung by religious people? I think in that thread, a thread about realtors putting flyers in people’s mailboxes about selling their homes was referenced from the real estate forum. It was rationally explained by many posters (and not religious posters) that people who have extreme anxiety and an outsized need to control society have issues they need to deal with.

We all encounter minor annoyances and opinions that counter our own. Our desire to silence other opinions because we don’t like them runs counter to everything our country was built upon. It is unnatural in America to wish to silence other citizens, and legally, not going to happen. We live in a free society.

I am not that poster and don't know the thread you are referring to. I did not say that people are not legally or morally forbidden to do these things. What I am trying to convey is that doing these things has the exact opposite effect that proselytizers/evangelists/whatever you want to call it desire. I assume that the desire is to interest other people in the given religion. However, when people accost me to tell me about their religion, rather than interest me, it engenders a negative opinion of the religion, as it's quite intrusive.

On the flip side, I find other religions, ones whose adherents do not inconvenience me, to be intriguing, and I am more likely to seek out information on those religions.

However, when people accost me to tell me about their religion, rather than interest me, it engenders a negative opinion of the religion, as it's quite intrusive.

On the flip side, I find other religions, ones whose adherents do not inconvenience me, to be intriguing, and I am more likely to seek out information on those religions.[u] [i]

You are not alone in your feelings about this subject. However, your feelings don’t negate our laws and freedoms.

I went with my daughter’s girl scout troop when girl scouts went d2d to sell cookies, years ago. Some people were hateful directly to the young girls I chaperoned because they dared knock on their door and politely asked if they (the resident) would like to buy a box of cookies?

It is very hard to believe, but lots of people were angry because the girl scouts knocked on their door and interrupted them. It was disturbing. If someone has such a strong reaction to contact with people in their community, they may want to live somewhere with less or no people.

Once again, for those in the back: no one on this thread has suggested that anyone should be legally prohibited from annoying other people, be it via proselytizing or cookie selling. But your rights also don’t negate our feelings, which are negative, due to your behavior. We don’t have to look kindly upon your activity.

You also don’t get to define it. Christians condemn proselytizing and believe only God can change a person into a Christian.

Who are you speaking for when you say “we?” An organization?

Like I said, I don’t care what you call it. I don’t want to discuss religion with a stranger. When I say we I am referring to the people on this thread who have written +1 to my post, indicating that this behavior also annoys them.

I care what I call it because it’s based upon what God has instructed us to do. He didn’t say to threaten people or bribe people to become a Christian. Implying Christians do that is insulting and factually incorrect. Doing those things are wrong and condemned. Do you have an experience where a Christian missionary threatened you or bribed you to become Christian?

There are lots of annoying things in our society, but trying to stop people from practicing their religion because you don’t like people talking to you or ringing your doorbell is wrong. You don’t get to control people. You say no thanks and forget about it.

Really the worst people become enraged when they realized girl scouts were at their door. I didn’t think people in modern, polite society would be so awful to little girls selling cookies, but boy was I wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Frankly I didn’t care enough to read every word of your exceedingly long post. I will sum up my concerns in a concise manner—are you trying to make me take time out of my day to listen to you talk about your religion? If so, stop it. Evangelizing or proselytizing, it is unwanted and will never endear your faith to me.

Sorry, but we are blessed to have basic human rights in our country.

I am not in your presence and I didn’t push your finger to click on this thread, you chose to do so. How are you being made to read this thread?

You made a choice to come to a religious forum, where people post about religion. Maybe you should not come to a religious forum if you don’t like religion., or people talking about religion.

It’s nonsensical to do so, and then claim to be victimized by “proselytizing.”

I didn't claim that you were proselytizing by posting this thread. I am explaining my feelings towards people who approach me--on the street, ringing my doorbell, etc. My point is that people who feel as I do don't care about semantics. We just don't want to be asked to take time from our day to listen to a monologue from someone who has a very certain point of view. If I want to learn more about a particular religion, I will take a class on it (and I have).

Unfortunately for you, we live in a country that cherishes religious freedom.
People who do those things are legally and morally allowed to do so.

Are you the poster that had a very extreme reaction to having their doorbell rung by religious people? I think in that thread, a thread about realtors putting flyers in people’s mailboxes about selling their homes was referenced from the real estate forum. It was rationally explained by many posters (and not religious posters) that people who have extreme anxiety and an outsized need to control society have issues they need to deal with.

We all encounter minor annoyances and opinions that counter our own. Our desire to silence other opinions because we don’t like them runs counter to everything our country was built upon. It is unnatural in America to wish to silence other citizens, and legally, not going to happen. We live in a free society.

I am not that poster and don't know the thread you are referring to. I did not say that people are not legally or morally forbidden to do these things. What I am trying to convey is that doing these things has the exact opposite effect that proselytizers/evangelists/whatever you want to call it desire. I assume that the desire is to interest other people in the given religion. However, when people accost me to tell me about their religion, rather than interest me, it engenders a negative opinion of the religion, as it's quite intrusive.

On the flip side, I find other religions, ones whose adherents do not inconvenience me, to be intriguing, and I am more likely to seek out information on those religions.

However, when people accost me to tell me about their religion, rather than interest me, it engenders a negative opinion of the religion, as it's quite intrusive.

On the flip side, I find other religions, ones whose adherents do not inconvenience me, to be intriguing, and I am more likely to seek out information on those religions.[u] [i]

You are not alone in your feelings about this subject. However, your feelings don’t negate our laws and freedoms.

I went with my daughter’s girl scout troop when girl scouts went d2d to sell cookies, years ago. Some people were hateful directly to the young girls I chaperoned because they dared knock on their door and politely asked if they (the resident) would like to buy a box of cookies?

It is very hard to believe, but lots of people were angry because the girl scouts knocked on their door and interrupted them. It was disturbing. If someone has such a strong reaction to contact with people in their community, they may want to live somewhere with less or no people.

Once again, for those in the back: no one on this thread has suggested that anyone should be legally prohibited from annoying other people, be it via proselytizing or cookie selling. But your rights also don’t negate our feelings, which are negative, due to your behavior. We don’t have to look kindly upon your activity.

You also don’t get to define it. Christians condemn proselytizing and believe only God can change a person into a Christian.

Who are you speaking for when you say “we?” An organization?

Like I said, I don’t care what you call it. I don’t want to discuss religion with a stranger. When I say we I am referring to the people on this thread who have written +1 to my post, indicating that this behavior also annoys them.

If you don’t want to discuss religion with a stranger, why are you in an online religion forum discussing religion with a stranger?

[Anonymous]

Of course you have the legal right to evangelize. Of course you have the legal right to proselytize.

Just remember people of other religions have the same right to do it to you, and people who don't believe have the right to tell you that their is no evidence to support your beliefs and they are likely completely false.

See how that works? It doesn't need a manifesto lenth post.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Of course you have the legal right to evangelize. Of course you have the legal right to proselytize.

Just remember people of other religions have the same right to do it to you, and people who don't believe have the right to tell you that their is no evidence to support your beliefs and they are likely completely false.

See how that works? It doesn't need a manifesto lenth post.

In the United States religion doesn’t proselytize. Nobody in America is forced to be religious. I am happy we live in a country that respects everyone’s religious freedom.

When people tell me there is no evidence for my religion, I smile and bless them. As God does, because He is an awesome God. Science can’t and doesn’t try to prove religious beliefs or the existence of God because God cannot be measured by our tools and tests. Scientists know that and that’s why they don’t even try.

I don’t have the legal right to proselytize. I do not have the legal right to force another person to convert to Christianity against their will. No religious organization or denomination forces people to do anything in America.

Do you have evidence that people in America are forced to convert to any religion against their will?

[Anonymous]

Proselytize has multiple definitions:
To try to convert someone, especially to one's religion
To persuade someone to do or join something, especially by offering an inducement
To recruit someone to join one's party, institution, or cause
To try to persuade people to join a religion, cause, or group

Yes you have the constitutional right to do all of that. You can have a different definition, but arguing over definitions is silly.

And since you told me your God is an awesome god, I will respond by saying there is no evidence he exists, and that is a good thing, because the god of the bible is a freaking horrible monster, in my opinion.

Happy to continue the exchange, if you wish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Frankly I didn’t care enough to read every word of your exceedingly long post. I will sum up my concerns in a concise manner—are you trying to make me take time out of my day to listen to you talk about your religion? If so, stop it. Evangelizing or proselytizing, it is unwanted and will never endear your faith to me.

Sorry, but we are blessed to have basic human rights in our country.

I am not in your presence and I didn’t push your finger to click on this thread, you chose to do so. How are you being made to read this thread?

You made a choice to come to a religious forum, where people post about religion. Maybe you should not come to a religious forum if you don’t like religion., or people talking about religion.

It’s nonsensical to do so, and then claim to be victimized by “proselytizing.”

I didn't claim that you were proselytizing by posting this thread. I am explaining my feelings towards people who approach me--on the street, ringing my doorbell, etc. My point is that people who feel as I do don't care about semantics. We just don't want to be asked to take time from our day to listen to a monologue from someone who has a very certain point of view. If I want to learn more about a particular religion, I will take a class on it (and I have).

Unfortunately for you, we live in a country that cherishes religious freedom.
People who do those things are legally and morally allowed to do so.

Are you the poster that had a very extreme reaction to having their doorbell rung by religious people? I think in that thread, a thread about realtors putting flyers in people’s mailboxes about selling their homes was referenced from the real estate forum. It was rationally explained by many posters (and not religious posters) that people who have extreme anxiety and an outsized need to control society have issues they need to deal with.

We all encounter minor annoyances and opinions that counter our own. Our desire to silence other opinions because we don’t like them runs counter to everything our country was built upon. It is unnatural in America to wish to silence other citizens, and legally, not going to happen. We live in a free society.

I am not that poster and don't know the thread you are referring to. I did not say that people are not legally or morally forbidden to do these things. What I am trying to convey is that doing these things has the exact opposite effect that proselytizers/evangelists/whatever you want to call it desire. I assume that the desire is to interest other people in the given religion. However, when people accost me to tell me about their religion, rather than interest me, it engenders a negative opinion of the religion, as it's quite intrusive.

On the flip side, I find other religions, ones whose adherents do not inconvenience me, to be intriguing, and I am more likely to seek out information on those religions.

However, when people accost me to tell me about their religion, rather than interest me, it engenders a negative opinion of the religion, as it's quite intrusive.

On the flip side, I find other religions, ones whose adherents do not inconvenience me, to be intriguing, and I am more likely to seek out information on those religions.[u] [i]

You are not alone in your feelings about this subject. However, your feelings don’t negate our laws and freedoms.

I went with my daughter’s girl scout troop when girl scouts went d2d to sell cookies, years ago. Some people were hateful directly to the young girls I chaperoned because they dared knock on their door and politely asked if they (the resident) would like to buy a box of cookies?

It is very hard to believe, but lots of people were angry because the girl scouts knocked on their door and interrupted them. It was disturbing. If someone has such a strong reaction to contact with people in their community, they may want to live somewhere with less or no people.

Once again, for those in the back: no one on this thread has suggested that anyone should be legally prohibited from annoying other people, be it via proselytizing or cookie selling. But your rights also don’t negate our feelings, which are negative, due to your behavior. We don’t have to look kindly upon your activity.

You also don’t get to define it. Christians condemn proselytizing and believe only God can change a person into a Christian.

Who are you speaking for when you say “we?” An organization?

Like I said, I don’t care what you call it. I don’t want to discuss religion with a stranger. When I say we I am referring to the people on this thread who have written +1 to my post, indicating that this behavior also annoys them.

If you don’t want to discuss religion with a stranger, why are you in an online religion forum discussing religion with a stranger?

+1

Also, does this mean you’ll stop atheist proselytizing with the posts about god being a fairy tale, Horus’ golden penis and Christians stole 12/25 from the pagans?

[Anonymous]

They're the same thing, imho. They're both disrespectful at best.

Practice what you want, but keep it to yourself.