If I had a cure for cancer, I'd want to share it with people. This is not much different in the Christians eyes. One cure takes care of physical death, the other cure takes care of spiritual death.
If you truly believed that someone without Christ was going to hell for eternity when they died, wouldn't you want to warn them? And really, what kind of Christian would they be if they DIDN'T warn others?
I can appreciate that some people's approach is less than desirable. I've been on the receiving end myself and so understand the offense taken. At that point, I guess you just have to figure some people don't have much in the way of people skills. But don't discount the message because of the messanger. There's too much at stake.
You don't know God exists. You can't be certain God exists. But, you can believe God exists. I believe God exists, but I don't take it upon myself to assume the position of God and 'save' people. I don't have a problem with evangelizing itself (necessary for a growing church), just the attitude most bring to it (I'm saving the world, etc.).
God will sort everyone out when the time comes.
The point is it doesn't matter. I have no problem with people sharing their beliefs. Some of the best conversations I have ever had started with this talking point. But I draw the line when ANYONE tells me that their belief system is better than mine, that they are more moral than I am because they are a member of a religion, or when anyone gives me the "I'm right, you're wrong" line.
If you truly believed that someone without Christ was going to hell for eternity when they died, wouldn't you want to warn them? And really, what kind of Christian would they be if they DIDN'T warn others?
I see this as the curse of being completely sure of one's belief system. Others call it faith. I don't believe that my failure to be a Christian will cause me eternal damnation. No matter how many times I am warned, it won't happen. How many times do Christians feel obligated to warn me? I would think once is enough. It's not like repeating the warning makes it any stronger or more believable.
But don't discount the message because of the messanger. There's too much at stake.
That's not why I discount the message. I have close friends who are Christian who I have discussed belief extensively with. I listened to what they have to say. And I don't belive it for myself. I don't believe in Christianity because it doesn't square with any of the reality that I have experienced in my life. I am no more capable of believing in God than you are of believing that Islam is the one true path.
Again, let me turn this around. A Muslim friend of yours wants to save you. He KNOWS that non-Muslims will be punished in the afterlife. He cares about you so much that he wants to warn you - after all, what kind of friend would he be if he DIDN'T try to warn you. And if you ignored his first warning, well, he should obviously keep after you because, well there's so much at stake. And he'll tell you that there are Muslims who don't have many people skills, and people who pervert the religion, so that you shouldn't discount the message because of some bad messengers.
As far as he is concerned if he is really your friend, he should try to convert you to Islam at every opportunity he gets, right? There's too much at stake to do otherwise, right? Why should I believe in the Christian who tries to save others more than I would believe in Muslims who try to save others?
(BTW, I'm using Islam as a generic example - substitute any religion you don't believe in above if you don't believe Islam applies)
Might it not be possible, in the case of the more vociferous atheists, that they feel it is their duty or mission to open others' eyes to the Truth As They See It™? Indeed, this is the same motivation that drives many evangelical Christians, so why shouldn't it drive atheists too?
People who are quick to take offense maybe ought to try to understand that the "offender" in this case is trying to help them. They are under no coercion to accept that help. But a Christian is under an obligation to offer it:
“So you, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me.Perhaps we Christians could manage to find a way to "help" that doesn't set people off into such a frumious tizzy....“If I say to the wicked, O wicked man, you shall surely die; and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand.
“But if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way; he shall die in his iniquity, but you will have saved your soul.” -- Ezekiel 33: 7-9
In any case, one's personal actions speak louder than words here....
Thanks so much for writing, metmom!