Sparked up from a previous post...

Nothing against Christians, but every time someone has tried to convert me to Christianity, it always started, and ended with the following three.

1. Do you know your lord a savior?
2. You need to learn who your god is because he loves you.
3. Don't you want to be saved?

To an extent I pretty much believe all of the books of modern day religion other than the book of mormon, and scientology... I don't take it all literally, and I see it more as an ancient description of historical events described as best as possible.

Now if I were to try to convert someone to something I believed would help them in their lives, telling them that a fiery death or else, would be the last thing to say. But that's just me

So could someone tell me why this is the mainstream method on Christian conversion?

lots of us take it straight from textbooks, since we naturally suck at it (hence the uniformity of style). some others don't bother with textbook methods though, because they are naturally gifted.

Originally posted by iHateMasses
Sparked up from a previous post...

Nothing against Christians, but every time someone has tried to convert me to Christianity, it always started, and ended with the following three.

1. Do you know your lord a savior?
2. You need to learn who your god is because he loves you.
3. Don't you want to be saved?

To an extent I pretty much believe all of the books of modern day religion other than the book of mormon, and scientology... I don't take it all literally, and I see it more as an ancient description of historical events described as best as possible.

Now if I were to try to convert someone to something I believed would help them in their lives, telling them that a fiery death or else, would be the last thing to say. But that's just me

So could someone tell me why this is the mainstream method on Christian conversion?

I believe it is the mainstream method for Christian conversions because fear works. It works really well.

I've be asked a few times, "Don't you want to be saved?". But no one has ever really tried hard to convert me. I've actually converted a number of agnostics to athiests. I wasn't trying to. We were just discussing religion and they finally realised how stupid it all was.

As for the holy books being an ancient description of historical events. I just can't believe that. They are either inaccurate or just flat out lies. But that's what I've heard and seen quoted. I have never read any holy book. Never plan to.

I think it's funny that people don't believe what was written down in a book a couple thousand years ago, but you'll eat up whatever oprah, zeitgeist, evolutionary biologists, new age sprituals, Obama, or Richard Dawkins have to say. Well, maybe not Obama so much anymore.

Seems to me that people just don't want to believe in God. That's fine with me, so long as you realize that everyone is believing what they are told, regardless of who is doing the telling.

Edit to add: Btw, most christians don't realize that they can't convert anyone, or convice them of the truth. God can work in the unbeliever, if they open themselves up and receive His invitation. God reveals Himself to us daily through His word, but you can miss the invite if your ears are closed. "He who has ears, let him hear!"


[edit on 27-8-2009 by one_man24]

[edit on 27-8-2009 by one_man24]

1. Do you know your lord a savior?
2. You need to learn who your god is because he loves you.
3. Don't you want to be saved?

How does a polytheist even start to answer those questions

Which lord?

I have a bunch of gods. Which one are you talking about?

Saved from what? You?

We go on after this life, we have a choice to make on this earth, about who to serve and it is God or Satan.

But a lot of people don't want to make that choice so they just go with a beautiful blue boy who plays flute and parties for all eternity or some other cult.

We can never fully escape satan's lure as this present earth is his to rule, but we can be protected from satan as he works to build his very own kingdom, and that is what hell is, eternity with satan. There are a lot of people who look forward to eternity with satan. If you don't believe satan exists, I can give you some info. that might convince you.

If you accept Christ's redemption power you have nothing to worry about as far as hell goes. God really does love us, more than we can know. He has done everything in His power to show us that.

Who is God though? That seems to be the problem I'm having. There are just too many theories trying to anwer that simple question.

If I may answer your question. If you can't find a simple theory that you don't feel is right in your heart, go after it yourself. You ask the question "Who is God though?" My answer, ask Him yourself.

The main problem, which is with everyone who has doubts and not saying you do, is you can't audibly hear His voice so you begin to think that there may not be a God. See, when you read the Bible, pay special attention to certain verses with the word "heart" in it. Try to figure out what that really means. Ask God who He is and where your heart is at. Here are some examples:

"Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

- 1 Samuel 16:7

"Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

- Luke 12:34

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding."

- Proverbs 3:5

"These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me."

- Matthew 15:8

Those are my favorites. Remember, God knows what you need even before you ask Him. Be genuine and be alert. Happy searching together.





[edit on 27-8-2009 by Water-tastes-good]