Witnessing. Preach the Gospel. Yeah, the book says it.
Mark 16:15-16 (KJV) 15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
I have even heard preachers say that a christian who refuses to constantly "witness" about his faith is not a true christian, and will go to hell, because they are "ashamed" of their God.
But of course, many religions say the same thing. How are they going to put more money in the donation baskets without converts? How will their snake-oil salesman witch doctor have anybody to preach at without converts?
And I have had the completely weird experience of having someone try to preach to me, and I simply told her that I was not a christian, and that yes, I had gone to church and read the bible. When she asked "what church?" I told her it was none of her business. And you know what? She said "ok". We don't hang out much, but we are friendly. This was acceptable. She respected my choice.
I'm sure a lot of people wouldn't go so far as to hold that up as respect. They would say that it was rude to even ask, and I know where they are coming from. There are VERY few literate adults who haven't heard about at least a few different religions, and who want to choose one but need guidance. (And if they want guidance, they know where to find it.) The people who were raised in a religion rarely study other religions - they've been brainwashed into believing that their god is the only correct one since before they could read. The very act of asking implies superiority - "I have the answers and you don't." This would be a good thing if there was any evidence for those answers other than holier-than-thou dogma.
"Witnessing" is disrespectful and insulting to any educated adult.
Mark 16:15-16 (KJV) 15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
I have even heard preachers say that a christian who refuses to constantly "witness" about his faith is not a true christian, and will go to hell, because they are "ashamed" of their God.
But of course, many religions say the same thing. How are they going to put more money in the donation baskets without converts? How will their snake-oil salesman witch doctor have anybody to preach at without converts?
And I have had the completely weird experience of having someone try to preach to me, and I simply told her that I was not a christian, and that yes, I had gone to church and read the bible. When she asked "what church?" I told her it was none of her business. And you know what? She said "ok". We don't hang out much, but we are friendly. This was acceptable. She respected my choice.
I'm sure a lot of people wouldn't go so far as to hold that up as respect. They would say that it was rude to even ask, and I know where they are coming from. There are VERY few literate adults who haven't heard about at least a few different religions, and who want to choose one but need guidance. (And if they want guidance, they know where to find it.) The people who were raised in a religion rarely study other religions - they've been brainwashed into believing that their god is the only correct one since before they could read. The very act of asking implies superiority - "I have the answers and you don't." This would be a good thing if there was any evidence for those answers other than holier-than-thou dogma.
"Witnessing" is disrespectful and insulting to any educated adult.
"The family that prays together...is brainwashing their children."- Albert Einstein
