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To: juliej

I understand, because I feel the same way. But, what I guess I need you to at least consider (even if you don't buy it), is that "proselytizing" is not or should not be a hateful thing (though I've seen it done in a very ugly way and would understand if anyone rejected that kind of 'witnessing).

Look at it this way, if you had a friend who was about to walk into a building that had doors which locked behind them and shut a person into that building to where they couldn't get out; and you knew that they were going to torch the building and everything in it within the next 20 minutes - would it be loving of you to stand by and say and do nothing? Would you be a friend?

The Christian faith teaches that Jesus is the only way. It is an exclusive religion. (There are others identifying themselves as Christians who would disagree, but I am speaking in General). It also teaches that those who die without Jesus will die and go to hell (be they from a Christian family, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, Atheistic, or whatever family). If one truly believes this, then it would be unloving to not say something to the people one comes in contact with. It would be "unChristian." It has nothing to do with looking down at one's religion (though I know some do), but rather trying to save someone from pain.

If that person that one is sharing with rejects the message, I love them just the same as if they had accepted it. I love them because they are my friend. I witness to them because I am their friend. Either way, we are still friends.

Many will object to this "exclusive" view of Christianity. I understand that. But, really, isn't all religion exclusive? I mean even if you believe that all religions are true, you believe that exclusively to the exclusion of the idea that some or only one religion is true. Judaism is an exclusive belief. It believes what it believes exclusively (even if it makes room for other faiths - that is seen as an exclusive thing).

If you disagree with what I am saying and try to convince me otherwise, does that mean you are looking down on my religion? I don't believe so. It means we are having a disagreement over religion.

I can not, nor would I want to, force anyone to believe in my faith. But, I myself do share it - not out of some feeling of superiority (because the more you understand about what Scripture teaches about humans, really we have nothing to feel superior about. After all, David said "The Lord is my shepherd." Making us Sheep. Pretty dumb creatures or at least not half as smart as we think we are.

Anyway, I'm starting to ramble a little. But I hope you saw where I'm coming from when I say it isn't looking down on a religion. Rather, it is out of love that we share.


54 posted on 11/20/2006 2:31:06 PM PST by Blogger
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To: Blogger

I can tell that you are a very kind person from your posts and I appreciate that. However,I prefer my religion - which is why I stay in it - and I don't feel that "you are going to hell" or anything like that because you don't believe in my faith. Judaism does not believe in proslytyzing because we believe that there are other ways to G-d. I also respect the Righteous Gentiles and am grateful to them. All the best, . . .


59 posted on 11/21/2006 5:57:37 AM PST by juliej
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