For the christians

Yes rneal, I understand the concept of a metaphor, but you’ve chosen an intentionally antagonizing metaphor. …one that needlessly divides. “don’t cast your pearls before swine” means “don’t share your pearls of wisdom with the pig headed”. Both the metaphor and it’s meaning are offensive. It’s a double insult.

The ‘anger and hate’ you accuse me of is just your own frustration you are projecting onto me. I’m perfectly calm. My guess is that you’re frustrated because you know I’m right but since the Bible is your idol, you can’t admit it.

It’s fair game for me to call the Bible “hateful nonsense”, “garbage”, “lunatic scribblings” or whatever else I want in public, because that book says the same sort of thing about me, and those who idolize the book quote the hateful portions as a weapon.

There’s no reason to quote the pearly swine verse except to cause division.

In regard to posting in other sections, I do. Thanks for recognizing my asisstive nature!

“… sanctify Christ as Lord in your heartsalways be ready to give an account to anyone who asks a reason for the hope that is in you, but do it with gentleness and reverence, so that when you are maligned, those who defame your good conduct in Christ may themselves be put to shame” (1 Peter 3:15-16).

“That would be down right mean.”

And yet, you and I both know it’s been done countless times on this board.

The question is very valid, and when I was a Christian I often wondered myself why people said things like that. Sometimes they wouldn’t say it to a person directly, but would talk about someone and say, “well, they will regret their beliefs when they are in hell” or something to that effect.

That is true. . You attract more bees with honey than you do with vinegar. . . You also open more dialoge with those seeking a faith. . . . and from the answers I notice we have some that don’t know they are doing it. . . . . I may even be guilty myself and ask forgiveness if I have.

* “But I don’t think I ever told anyone they were going to Hell. . . . That would be down right mean.”

But rneal, you don’t have any problem calling people “swine”, so niceness does not seem to be a priority.

I thought that Christians weren’t suposed to judge who went to hell anyway, only God knows the state of an individual. My mom use to tell me there was no such place as hell and all people went to Heaven.

It is being hypocritical. like when people say all Asians look the same. Honestly usually catholics say this not so much Christians and everybody is different which means that not all Christians are like this. and you write that Christians say “you’re going to burn in hell” what made them want to say this to you, yourself or another person. those people that got that response were probably the ones “ridiculing of other people’s beliefs”

There are many preachers out there that preach on hell continually. Their congregations are used to hearing it, so therefore, they do not think about repeating it to anyone, just the way they have heard it, not realizing the impact it will have on someone that has not been sitting under that teaching.

I heard a preacher say once, that if you were going to talk to someone about Hell, you ought to do it with tears in your eyes.

That has always stuck with me, and I am glad that I heard the comment.

I prefer to share the offer of Heaven, however, to be true to Christ and his teachings, I cannot avoid the truth about Hell, even if I don’t like to talk about it.

The bible says that some will be saved by fear.

I’ve never said outright to a person that they would burn in hell if they don’t accept Jesus. I don’t want people turning to Jesus just out of fear. I want to have people turn to Jesus out of love, respect, thankfulness, etc.

I do feel we are all sinners and I point that out here http://torispencerkeene.googlepages.com/thetencommandments but I also point out that people have the ability to turn to their savior. I feel bad for people who have not used respect when urging people towards Christ because I feel it ultimately makes them turn further away.

Hope this helps

Toadaly I use a metaphor from scripture do you understand the concept of a metaphor? I really think your smarter than that. . . I’m sure you have a lot to offer the site in Areas outside of religion. Surly you can assist some one in need in one of these areas Beauty & Style Computers & Technology Education & School Entertainment Food & Dining FunAdvice Community Gaming & Games General Knowledge Health Home and Garden Jobs & Money Kids Love and Relationships Music Nutrition and Fitness Parents & Family Pets Politics Real Estate Shopping Travel I know you can find them cause you have ask questions in some other areas. . Why do you seem so consumed with Anger and Hate? Is your heart that hard?

no, rnealw, that is not what I’m saying. I’m asking about nastiness and hatefulness in Christians’ witness. That kind will never be successful and is a waste of time. I said nothing about not witnessing. Reread the question

I’m not sure I understand the question. . . .Are you saying we should not do as Jesus instructs us to? I’ve been know to challange someones faith with Scripture But I don’t think I ever told anyone they were going to Hell. . . . That would be down right mean.

it all depends. some people wear their religion on their sleeve, some don’t. I do not adhere to any religion and I like it that way. I do grow weary of those “preachers” out there that feel a moral obligation to try to convert me because I am going to hell. sometimes it seems as if they think they will get extra points with God for converting us. like bonus points on an elementary school quiz.

I was brought roman catholic…God has many faces ;) Who said we should close Him in one name “Christ” Lets not do it okej.

I like you your awesome im atheist so its nice to hear that from a christian =)