(November 7, 2022 at 4:49 am)rlp21858 Wrote: why am i always accused of preaching? i would hope someone would give me the benefit of the doubt by now that i wont bite anyone here.
anyway, speaking of the offensiveness of Christianity: i think that a lot of well-meaning believers force on others their own desire to see an influence for the Christian doctrine, and do so from the fear that they cant see this influence if they always do what's right. i think this forcefulness isnt done in faith but in doubt and pride, and they end up saying/doing things that are untrue.
Christianity teaches that we are to be diligent but to do things only within our own capacity (1 Peter 4:11, Romans 12:8). for a spoken message, for example, i believe this means a Christian shouldn't speak what he cant support. so i believe the solution is to speak only that we can support, *but do it as often as we possibly can. i think this makes sense:
there are two well-known ways to advertise a product: add to it things that dont really belong to it in order to attract more people, or advertise the product as is but more vigorously, more often. the problem with the first way is that you "sell out": the product becomes something it wasnt intended to be. but by the latter way, you attract who you will attract legitimately and the product remains pure. i believe this is how a Christian's witnessing is supposed to be.
speaking your partially-understood personal message in as many places as possible gives an outlet to those desires to see influence, while staying within the bounds of only speaking the truth, and the commandment that this be done forces a potential chain reaction for good. this is done in faith and leaves all power of influence in the hands of God, where Christians are known for saying all power belongs.
You're accused of preaching because that's what you're doing (you can call it 'witnessing' if you like, but it comes the same thing). We do not fear that you're going to bite anyone.
It isn't Christians pushing the doctrine that's offensive, it's the doctrine itself. If a Christian comes to my door, I can tell him to leave and the issue is done with. I can't do anything about the millennia of damage done by your faith.
Both of the verses you mention stress the word 'if'. Focus on that.
I'm delighted that you recognize your religion is a product.
Spreading your doctrine in 'as many places as possible' doesn't make you a potential force for good. It makes you a pest.
Boru
‘But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods or no gods. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.’ - Thomas Jefferson
