View Full Version : Should you care?
#10 Jersey
02 Feb 2006, 03:55 PM
This week, Dennis Prager discussed the issue of whether one should care if a christian believes that a non-christian is going to go to hell. If a Jew, Muslim or someone that is an atheist is confident in their views, someone else's opinion of the after life shouldn't affect or offend us.
I never really thought of it this way. To be honest, from time to time it has bothered me. But I think Prager has it right. We all have our opinions and I would guess that in most of the occasions, the christian doesn't mean offense. So why get upset?
bigredfutbol
02 Feb 2006, 04:18 PM
This week, Dennis Prager discussed the issue of whether one should care if a christian believes that a non-christian is going to go to hell. If a Jew, Muslim or someone that is an atheist is confident in their views, someone else's opinion of the after life shouldn't affect or offend us.
I never really thought of it this way. To be honest, from time to time it has bothered me. But I think Prager has it right. We all have our opinions and I would guess that in most of the occasions, the christian doesn't mean offense. So why get upset?
I don't care what you believe, as long as you realize that whether or not I go to hell is none of your damn business. Have any opinion you want, just keep it to yourself.
#10 Jersey
02 Feb 2006, 04:30 PM
I don't care what you believe, as long as you realize that whether or not I go to hell is none of your damn business. Have any opinion you want, just keep it to yourself.
I'm not talking about adversarial situations. I'm also not talking about situations where someone attempts to convert you.
bigredfutbol
02 Feb 2006, 04:38 PM
I'm not talking about adversarial situations. I'm also not talking about situations where someone attempts to convert you.
You said "believes", though.
If someone is trying to convert me, whether or not I get offended has everything to do with how the conversation goes; how respectful the person is, how confrontational, etc. Again, what they 'believe' doesn't really matter. It's how they treat me that counts.
Mr. Bee
02 Feb 2006, 04:42 PM
This week, Dennis Prager discussed the issue of whether one should care if a christian believes that a non-christian is going to go to hell. If a Jew, Muslim or someone that is an atheist is confident in their views, someone else's opinion of the after life shouldn't affect or offend us.
I never really thought of it this way. To be honest, from time to time it has bothered me. But I think Prager has it right. We all have our opinions and I would guess that in most of the occasions, the christian doesn't mean offense. So why get upset?
The whole money-making idea behind the creation of a religion is self-perpetuation, fear, and conversion of new people who can pump money into the system.
A religion that's tolerant of other religions may be a nice idea, but its a flawed business model.
#10 Jersey
02 Feb 2006, 04:44 PM
The whole money-making idea behind the creation of a religion is self-perpetuation, fear, and conversion of new people who can pump money into the system.
A religion that's tolerant of other religions may be a nice idea, but its a flawed business model.
nice generalization.
not all religions are missionary
Mr. Bee
02 Feb 2006, 04:46 PM
nice generalization.
not all religions are missionary
Well I didnt want to say "Christians" but it was implied
YankHibee
02 Feb 2006, 04:50 PM
nice generalization.
not all religions are missionary
I like the ones that go for inverse cowgirl. Those are the good religions.
bigredfutbol
02 Feb 2006, 04:52 PM
nice generalization.
not all religions are missionary
True. I've yet to have any animists at my door with brochures about tree worship.
bigredfutbol
02 Feb 2006, 05:08 PM
I've met plenty of athiests that are more than willing to witness.
Should you care if I think you're not going to heaven? ;)
speedcake
02 Feb 2006, 05:46 PM
And there we have it. Everyone do everyone else a favor and leave each other alone.
I personally don't mind an attempt by a Christian to discuss Christ with me. But when I politely end the conversation, I expect that decision to be respected.
And vice versa, of course.
afgrijselijkheid
02 Feb 2006, 06:04 PM
i don't really care at the end of the day, but it certainly is an off-putting remark
BenReilly
02 Feb 2006, 08:11 PM
If you truly believe someone will burn in hell, aren't you morally obligated to do everything you can to prevent them from suffering that fate? While I really don't care what people believe, actions often follow beliefs.
dj43
03 Feb 2006, 02:01 AM
If you truly believe someone will burn in hell, aren't you morally obligated to do everything you can to prevent them from suffering that fate?
Yes, BUT, in the big black book that I read, Jesus told His disciples that if people in the towns they visited didn't accept the message, they should "shake the dirt off their sandals" (a term roughly translated to mean not to be discouraged by the rejection) and move on to other towns that were receptive.
Now that doesn't mean you have to like it, or even that you should never try again. People often do change their mind once they have had a chance to think about a thing. So re-visiting the topic is not out of line but one must use judgement. The story of the prodigal son comes to mind.
speedcake
03 Feb 2006, 05:54 AM
In other words, respect the wishes of others.
In other words, respect the wishes of others.
Do unto others as you would have them do to you. ;)
afgrijselijkheid
03 Feb 2006, 09:21 AM
i could swear it also says something about not judging others... or am i imagining that?
afgrijselijkheid
03 Feb 2006, 02:37 PM
do i particularly need to feel judged to have the act of judging others be against the book?
afgrijselijkheid
03 Feb 2006, 04:29 PM
Like I asked before, do you feel judged alot?
not so much, no... your turn
Val1
03 Feb 2006, 05:06 PM
i could swear it also says something about not judging others... or am i imagining that?
No, you're not imaginine that, but the Bible has a lot else to say about what Christians are supposed to do vis a vis each other. Balancing them is the tricky part and this is where wisdom, discipleship, maturity, and the Holy Spirit come in. Jesus' last command, after He was resurrected from the dead, was to tell us to go out into all the world, preaching and baptizing in His name. Furthermore, we are to distinguish between good and evil and to be an example to the world. So, we're supposed to care about you and your actions. And, just as importantly, we're not supposed to judge. It's something many of us struggle with, and for my part, ultimately fail at.