Replies

Agree with your post. Unfortunately, there are some Christian missionaries who, quite frankly, make super nuisances (and fools!) of themselves, trying to get in people’s way (and faces) to “shove” a (distorted, imho) version of Christianty down innocent folk’s throats. Some of these people can behave really offensively. Its downright embarrassing.

There are differences between faith communities (and among many folks within any given faith community or church). Even a single individual may undergo changes in his/her understanding of religion and matters spiritual.

The essential thing here is that any faith is necessarily a matter of the Free Will that we are given in this life. Our Creator loves all of his creation including each one of us. He hopes for our love in return. But love is funny. It cannot be forced, it cannot be obtained by intimidation, standing in somebody’s way and shoving a missionary tract down his/her gullet, or insulting anybody or their faith commitment. Love can only come through the free will choice of a person.

While there are many ways to share one’s faith, the most effective way I’ve ever seen was the silent approach so often attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi. Live an examplary life and people will notice. They will come to you, they will ask what your “secret” is. Because we are all endowed with a desire to make our lives worthwhile and we are all inspired to seek out a “good connection” with the Divine. It works every time, smiles smiles.

Anyway, we can set my personal views aside except that I definitely agree that SOME missionaries or evangelists or Great Commissionaires do our Creator, themselves, and their targets/victims great offense by aggressive, disrespectful, and sometimes even insulting misquoting or mischaracterizations of scriptures or dogma.

Just my 2 shekels worth. Love it, like it, or delete it.. at your pleasure. I don’t ever attempt to shove my opinions down anybody’s throat.