Proselytizing

[rjh4 is back]

It seems to me from reading some of the threads here that many of you do not like it when Christians try to proselytize, particularly when it is you.

Here is a quote from Penn Jillette (from Penn and Teller), who is an atheist:

"If you believe that there's a heaven and hell and people could be going to hell--or not getting eternal life or whatever--and you think that, well, it's not really worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward...How much do you have to hate somebody not to proselytize? How much do you have to hate somebody to believe that everlasting life is possible and not tell them that?"

What are your thoughts on this quote? Do you agree? Disagree? Think it depends on the situtation?

[chasm]

It seems to me from reading some of the threads here that many of you do not like it when Christians try to proselytize, particularly when it is you.

Here is a quote from Penn Jillette (from Penn and Teller), who is an atheist:

"If you believe that there's a heaven and hell and people could be going to hell--or not getting eternal life or whatever--and you think that, well, it's not really worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward...How much do you have to hate somebody not to proselytize? How much do you have to hate somebody to believe that everlasting life is possible and not tell them that?"

What are your thoughts on this quote? Do you agree? Disagree? Think it depends on the situtation?

I just have a gut feeling that Penn meant that sarcastically, and not seriously at all (as you are taking it).

I do have a problem when Christians try to proselytize, because they mostly will tell you "I'll pray for you" if you've proved them wrong, or you have a better argument, or they're outnumbered, and for a host of many other reasons. And they won't listen to you, when you try to tell them things. They refuse to listen. At least, that's how it always goes in my experiences. No matter how even-tempered and open-to-discussion this Christian might be, they always end up storming out on our conversation or saying the stupidest things and trying to change the subject before I can rebut. So yes, it gets just a little bit tiring, I would say.

[downbeatplumb]

It seems to me from reading some of the threads here that many of you do not like it when Christians try to proselytize, particularly when it is you.

Here is a quote from Penn Jillette (from Penn and Teller), who is an atheist:

"If you believe that there's a heaven and hell and people could be going to hell--or not getting eternal life or whatever--and you think that, well, it's not really worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward...How much do you have to hate somebody not to proselytize? How much do you have to hate somebody to believe that everlasting life is possible and not tell them that?"

What are your thoughts on this quote? Do you agree? Disagree? Think it depends on the situtation?

On the surface it makes it look reasonable to proselytize.

BUT it is a huge pain in the arse when some holier than thou dickwad wants to force his usually fundamentailst and mental world view on you.

I can see where they're coming from, I really can, they 'know' the truth and we as sinners are doomed to a fiery hell if we dont repent.

Except of course it is always utter bollocks.

I want to know what makes a theist tick, I do not want to become one.

[rjh4 is back]

I just have a gut feeling that Penn meant that sarcastically, and not seriously at all (as you are taking it).

I think you would be wrong. Watch for yourself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdvES4_MJ...re=related

I do have a problem when Christians try to proselytize, because they mostly will tell you "I'll pray for you" if you've proved them wrong, or you have a better argument, or they're outnumbered, and for a host of many other reasons. And they won't listen to you, when you try to tell them things. They refuse to listen. At least, that's how it always goes in my experiences. No matter how even-tempered and open-to-discussion this Christian might be, they always end up storming out on our conversation or saying the stupidest things and trying to change the subject before I can rebut. So yes, it gets just a little bit tiring, I would say.

the surface it makes it look reasonable to proselytize.

BUT it is a huge pain in the arse when some holier than thou dickwad wants to force his usually fundamentailst and mental world view on you.

So would it make a difference to you if the person acted more like the person Penn was talking about?

[chasm]

I do have a problem when Christians try to proselytize, because they mostly will tell you "I'll pray for you" if you've proved them wrong, or you have a better argument, or they're outnumbered, and for a host of many other reasons. And they won't listen to you, when you try to tell them things. They refuse to listen. At least, that's how it always goes in my experiences. No matter how even-tempered and open-to-discussion this Christian might be, they always end up storming out on our conversation or saying the stupidest things and trying to change the subject before I can rebut. So yes, it gets just a little bit tiring, I would say.

the surface it makes it look reasonable to proselytize.

BUT it is a huge pain in the arse when some holier than thou dickwad wants to force his usually fundamentailst and mental world view on you.

So would it make a difference to you if the person acted more like the person Penn was talking about?

No, I don't think so. It would be nice if they listened to us every now and again.

[Minimalist]

Xtians can pray all they want. It's their own time they are wasting.


It's not as if anyone is listening.

[downbeatplumb]

So would it make a difference to you if the person acted more like the person Penn was talking about?

I would certainly be more polite.

I may even feel a little guilty because I would think that what he was shovelling was shit, but i would listen smile and nod.

Good enough for ya

[Ace Otana]

So would it make a difference to you if the person acted more like the person Penn was talking about?

Not even a little.

I'd listen to a point but they'll just be wasting their time.

[Caecilian]

It seems to me from reading some of the threads here that many of you do not like it when Christians try to proselytize, particularly when it is you.

Here is a quote from Penn Jillette (from Penn and Teller), who is an atheist:

"If you believe that there's a heaven and hell and people could be going to hell--or not getting eternal life or whatever--and you think that, well, it's not really worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward...How much do you have to hate somebody not to proselytize? How much do you have to hate somebody to believe that everlasting life is possible and not tell them that?"

What are your thoughts on this quote? Do you agree? Disagree? Think it depends on the situtation?

Actually, I pretty much agree with the quote. If I was religious, I'm sure I'd want to proselytize the unbelievers. Even if I only managed to convert one of 'em, then that would be worth the hassle that I got from the remaining heathens- for what could possibly be more valuable than saving the immortal soul of another person?

However, as it happens I'm not at all religious. In fact I'm a militant atheist. And I do find being preached at irritating, even though I accept that the preacher has what s/he views as my best interests at heart.

Praying for me is another matter. Theists are welcome to pray for me as much as they want. They'll be wasting their time, but thats their problem, not mine.

[Thor]

It seems to me from reading some of the threads here that many of you do not like it when Christians try to proselytize, particularly when it is you.

Here is a quote from Penn Jillette (from Penn and Teller), who is an atheist:

"If you believe that there's a heaven and hell and people could be going to hell--or not getting eternal life or whatever--and you think that, well, it's not really worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward...How much do you have to hate somebody not to proselytize? How much do you have to hate somebody to believe that everlasting life is possible and not tell them that?"

What are your thoughts on this quote? Do you agree? Disagree? Think it depends on the situtation?

I can understand where Penn is coming from (and I really like the guy).

HOWEVER....

Religious morons have committed the most heinous atrocities believing they were doing so to "help". Back in the Middle Ages "heretics" were burned at the stake because the dipshits in charge believed that death by fire gave the condemned a chance of getting into "heaven". The belief was that "God" might show mercy to this person because they died in fire. Therefore, "God" may spare them the fire of "Hell". You see... they were burning people to death out of KINDNESS!