Echoing what others have said, Rev, it's not your beliefs. When I was a Christian I was, for the most part, treated perfectly well here. The few people who I felt were being dicks, I largely either ignored or told them they were dicks.
Your problem is that your position here is quite openly to "win people to christ" rather than engage in dialogue. That's somewhat condescending and it torpedos your own agenda.
I imagine your church welcomes all comers right? Imagine their was a Satanists who started coming. If he spoke frankly and honestly about his beliefs, and was interested in yours, you might talk with him, engage with him and even respect him. If he rocked up with the open intention of converting people away from Christianity to Satanism, and started quoting passages by allister crowly, how long would his welcome last.
I think the poll gives you a clue. People want you to stay, but realise that some behaviours, (like preaching and copy pasta) are not welcome behaviours. Think how you'd expect the satanist to behave in church and emulate it.
And also, grow a skin. This is the Web. People say mean stuff. It doesn't mean anything. That's the local ethos. Ignore it, adapt to it or adopt it. Don't be telling people they need to change to make you comfortable. THAT would be the equivalent of the Satanist in church telling you not to sing hymns because he like them.
Your problem is that your position here is quite openly to "win people to christ" rather than engage in dialogue. That's somewhat condescending and it torpedos your own agenda.
I imagine your church welcomes all comers right? Imagine their was a Satanists who started coming. If he spoke frankly and honestly about his beliefs, and was interested in yours, you might talk with him, engage with him and even respect him. If he rocked up with the open intention of converting people away from Christianity to Satanism, and started quoting passages by allister crowly, how long would his welcome last.
I think the poll gives you a clue. People want you to stay, but realise that some behaviours, (like preaching and copy pasta) are not welcome behaviours. Think how you'd expect the satanist to behave in church and emulate it.
And also, grow a skin. This is the Web. People say mean stuff. It doesn't mean anything. That's the local ethos. Ignore it, adapt to it or adopt it. Don't be telling people they need to change to make you comfortable. THAT would be the equivalent of the Satanist in church telling you not to sing hymns because he like them.
"Peace is a lie, there is only passion.
Through passion, I gain strength.
Through strength, I gain power.
Through power, I gain victory.
Through victory, my chains are broken."
Sith code
Through passion, I gain strength.
Through strength, I gain power.
Through power, I gain victory.
Through victory, my chains are broken."
Sith code
