When is it appropriate to share your religious faith with others?

[Dondi]

FWIW, I'd thought I'd share this true story I heard last night by a visiting pastor:

One rainy Saturday morning, a father and his 12 year old son were debating whether or not to go on visitation due to the weather. The son kept on insisting that they go, so the father reluctantly relented. They went around a certain area knocking on doors to share the gospel, but with not much response. But at one house, the 12 year old son gave a good rap on the door. No answer. Then he knocked again. Still no answer. It was customary to give two knocks and leave, so the father said, "Come on, son, let's go." But for some reason the boy felt compelled to knock one last time. An elderly lady in her early 70s finally opened the door. The boy stuck out a gospel tract and said to the lady, "Jesus loves you." She took the tract and went back inside and the two left.

The next Sunday night, during testimony time, the visiting elderly lady raised her hand and the pastor called on her. She stood up said, "My husband died six months ago and since then I've been very lonely and depressed. Yesterday, I went up into the attic and tossed a rope over the support beam, climbed on the chair, and put the noose around my neck, intending to kill myself. But then I heard a knock on my door. I waited thinking that they would go away. Then I heard another knock and thought surely they will leave with no answer. But then I heard a third knock, so I took the noose of and went down to see who it was. The boy gave me this gospel tract and told me that Jesus loved me. When I went back inside, I read the tract and prayed for Christ to be my Savior, and I sensed the love of God and the forgiveness of my sins. I now have my life back and no longer wish to kill myself."

Now, I might not have related this story to you all, if it wasn't for the fact that this isn't the only time I've heard such an account. And I wonder how many hurting, lonely people are out there needing for someone to tell them that they are loved. And I wonder how many missed opportunities have resulted in a different outcome because no one reached out to them.

I have met people who were depressed and lonely. Not everyone of those accepted Christ, but the one's that have seemed to have hope in there eyes. There is a world of people that need someone to give them a bit of hope. And that is why I keep doing what I do.

[path_of_one]

I understand what you are saying, Dondi. The way I see it, there is something very wrong with our society if people have to wait until a random stranger comes to their door with a gospel tract to feel loved.

We need to return to a sense of community and show love and compassion to all that we meet, and then perhaps we would not have folks that are so lonely.

My thought is... we (as a society) shouldn't be so cold, so alienated from each other that there are not naturally occurring times to discuss faith with one another (as opposed to a planned, forced situation like door-knocking). We shouldn't be so busy that we don't greet those around us warmly. Everyone should have an ear that will listen to them and someone to hug them when they are down.

My other thought is... if the value is to show people God's love and to give them a sense of family, of bonding, then religion peddling is not necessary. I could knock on doors and just introduce myself and ask if they need any help, want to talk about anything, just that I live in the neighborhood and am wanting to connect with everyone. Point being... friendship, a sense of worth to others, is what is needed.

That people (in general, not necessarily you, Dondi) want to convert people is the issue for me. For many door-knockers I've met, I can feel they have little concern for my life, my needs, my faith. They just want to have one more tally on their "I brought someone to The One and Only Truth" card. This is what I think is not OK.

[mee]

Originally Posted by path_of_one

They just want to have one more tally on their "I brought someone to The One and Only Truth" card. This is what I think is not OK.

Its Jehovah who draws people not the messenger who brings the GOODNEWS .

its the most high God that draws right hearted ones to the truth.


and the angels of God have a lot to do with it as well revelation 14;6


And I saw another angel flying in midheaven, and he had everlasting good news to declare as glad tidings to those who dwell on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people,



Revelation here reveals that invisible angels are also involved in this preaching work.

How often angelic guidance has been apparent in bringing one of Jehovah’s Witnesses to a home where some distressed soul was yearning, even praying, for spiritual help!

Of course, the angels are not preaching directly. Jesus gave humans this weighty commission. (Matthew 28:19, 20)

Is it not good to know that as we fulfill that commission, we have help from holy angels, wise and powerful spirit creatures?
There is considerable evidence of angelic support for our work.

For example, we often hear that in the course of their ministry, Jehovah’s Witnesses come across a person who had only recently prayed to God for help in finding the truth.

Such experiences occur far too often to be dismissed as mere coincidences. As a result of such angelic help, more and more people are learning to do as the "angel flying in midheaven" proclaimed: "Fear God and give him glory."—Revelation 14:7.


and yes the angels must have had a part in bringing mee into the truth , because my prayer was answered good and proper.

Does Jehovah really answer prayers? Yes, indeed! mee has a firm basis to be confident that the "Hearer of prayer" answers sincere prayers offered by millions of humans. (Psalm 65:2)

[Dondi]

Originally Posted by path_of_one

I understand what you are saying, Dondi. The way I see it, there is something very wrong with our society if people have to wait until a random stranger comes to their door with a gospel tract to feel loved.

We need to return to a sense of community and show love and compassion to all that we meet, and then perhaps we would not have folks that are so lonely.

My thought is... we (as a society) shouldn't be so cold, so alienated from each other that there are not naturally occurring times to discuss faith with one another (as opposed to a planned, forced situation like door-knocking). We shouldn't be so busy that we don't greet those around us warmly. Everyone should have an ear that will listen to them and someone to hug them when they are down.

My other thought is... if the value is to show people God's love and to give them a sense of family, of bonding, then religion peddling is not necessary. I could knock on doors and just introduce myself and ask if they need any help, want to talk about anything, just that I live in the neighborhood and am wanting to connect with everyone. Point being... friendship, a sense of worth to others, is what is needed.

That people (in general, not necessarily you, Dondi) want to convert people is the issue for me. For many door-knockers I've met, I can feel they have little concern for my life, my needs, my faith. They just want to have one more tally on their "I brought someone to The One and Only Truth" card. This is what I think is not OK.

The gospel tract wasn't the issue. The issue was that the boy expressed love to the elderly lady and that's what sparked the hope. The tract was only a tool. Nor do I think that tracts are a "Get Out of Hell Free" card. They are meant, IMO, to be an introduction to the idea there is a God who loves them. While there have been instances of folks getting saved via reading a tract, I believe that is rare. Most are saved because someone reached out in love, not just in giving the gospel, but even giving hope in the form of a testimony of what God has done in their lives. Or even in helping them in some way (without trying to convert). I don't believe in forcing a conversion. God needs to speak to that person's heart. We are but the messengers, trying to show God's love the best we can.

The same preacher related another story about four teen girls whom he was able to pick up on the bus route for Sunday School. Now some these girls didn't have the best family or living conditions, not being in an exactly affluent part of town. And one girl out of the bunch hardly ever smiled. So one day on bus visitation, he met up with them and out on a whim decided he'd treat them to lunch, with their parents permission, of course. He'd thought perhaps they'ed settle on McDonalds or something, but, no, they wanted to go to this buffet at $10 a pop. Even though he knew he had only $68 in his checking account, he went ahead and splurged. Then the girls wanted to go to Rita's, which was a specialty shop which featured water ice and frozen custard treats, that was likewise expensive. Oh well, he said. He probably in the end spent upwards of $70-80. After that he invited them over to his house to meet his wife. While they were there, he took him the exercise room and had fun trying see who could run fastest on tread mill. None of them ever been on one. The first two girls to try it got sweeped away off the tread mill. But then the girl who hardly ever smiled got on seemed a natural, being herself somewhat of an athlete, and she ran up to a pretty good speed, ALL THE WHILE SMILING.

Later when the preacher dropped them off, the now smiling girl told him that this was the best day she's had in her life. Can you imagine? Just one day at lunch with a preacher the best day of her life? The next Sunday, all four got saved. After the service was over, a man approached the preacher whom he recognized as the father of one of the girls. As the preacher reached out to shake his hand, the man slipped a green bill in his hands and thanked the preacher for giving the girls such a wonderful time. It was a $100 bill.

THAT is what I'm talking about. I absolutely agree that we need to go beyond the message and into the meat of our love.

[cyberpi]

Originally Posted by China Cat Sunflower

Everybody likes to share their enthusiasm and passion for the things that they really dig. People with mutual interests naturally group up. There's nothing wrong with sharing your faith. Here's the thing though: When was the last time a stranger came to your door to share their passion for...badminton? I mean, as innocuous as that is, if some glinty eyed stranger accosted you with a barrage of calculated selling techniques in regard to badminton that would be a serious breech of manners, wouldn't it? Wouldn't you wonder about their mental stability?

Chris

I would recognize that I don't have any evidence of the motivation or mental state of the person without some direct interaction. I have had people at my door with the same zeal and focus with their communication skills, but they were soliciting for someone to help pay their rent.

Personally I have met a lot of strangers in my line of work as I show them what I do, and after sharing the same information thousands of times I long lost any zeal in it. Sometimes I am approaching with information, but often the other person is the one approaching me with the interest. I note though that it is always a stranger. Someone who has already seen what I do may still be interested, but they no longer need the information. The only way to not be a stranger is to meet and interact. So having a stranger approach me with something is not unusual... I would expect a stranger. Communication with strangers is a common occurance in my line of work.

As an engineer I have often been opposed to the generalized personality of the people who are drawn to the job of sales; however, as an engineer I have to market and advertise what I can do. When I take a look at the motivation of the person who sees it as a challenge to sell ice to an eskimo, I see a focus on people as physical objects rather than as spiritual beings. The focus is to view the other person as a dog to be commanded to or as a fish to be lured, rather than as a person with a free will making informed decisions. The person trying to sell ice to the eskimo believes that their tongue is the thing that will make the sale. In a way, that person believes he is in control with his tongue. It is an easy deception. If true, then that same person will likewise be the victim of his own eyes and ears because when someone comes selling to him, within his own mind will be a true cognitive dissonance. If a person believes that it is their tongue that made the sale, then they won't like it when someone approaches them to make a sale. If control with the tongue was the motivation, then being controlled by the ear is the noose. Or the person can choose a way to ignore the double standard and remain a hypocrite.

If I were an eskimo and someone shows up on my door step selling ice... or if I were a paraplegic approached by someone selling badminton, then I see an opportunity to have some fun with it. I don't really know the motivation of the person except that they've come to the wrong place to sell something. Should I be annoyed... or should I feel sorry for the chap because I know he is destined for a world of hurt and rejection until he learns a lesson? I'm probably not going to buy it, but I'm also not going to pout over the audacity or ignorance of the poor chap either. I further see no reason to shy away from strangers or from approaching them. If I were a victim of my eyes and ears then that would be different.

[cyberpi]

Originally Posted by Dondi

The next Sunday, all four got saved.

Good stories. Can you describe though in detail for me what you mean by this sentence? To you, what is the nature of 'saved'... what does that mean? Who or what informed you that they were 'saved'?

[bob x]

Originally Posted by Dondi

FWIW, I'd thought I'd share this true story I heard last night by a visiting pastor...

I'm sorry Dondi, but I am completely unable to summon up the willing-suspension-of-disbelief to imagine for a minute that this saccharine story is remotely true. Even if, by some chance, it IS true, it just doesn't work. It has the smell of heavy-handed propaganda all over it.

[Dawud]

Originally Posted by seattlegal

I'm not sure about the lack of faith thing, especially when it comes to the question of the origin of life. I certainly do not have enough faith to believe in abiogenesis when the odds of it occurring are so overwhelmingly remote.

True, it does take faith to be atheist. If you're familiar with the book the Prisoner and the Kings by William Sears or a book called the Challenge of Baha'u'llah, you'll see that the odds are overwhelmingly in favor of super-human knowledge... knowledge from outside of mankind given to us through the Manifestations of God. (are you a Baha'i? I'm writing this in assumption that you're a Baha'i, otherwise you might not have heard of the books I mentioned above.)

[Tao_Equus]

Originally Posted by bob x

I'm sorry Dondi, but I am completely unable to summon up the willing-suspension-of-disbelief to imagine for a minute that this saccharine story is remotely true. Even if, by some chance, it IS true, it just doesn't work. It has the smell of heavy-handed propaganda all over it.

Ffs Bob, will you stop making posts I agree with.

[path_of_one]

Originally Posted by bob x

I'm sorry Dondi, but I am completely unable to summon up the willing-suspension-of-disbelief to imagine for a minute that this saccharine story is remotely true. Even if, by some chance, it IS true, it just doesn't work. It has the smell of heavy-handed propaganda all over it.

My point was that even if we *do* suspend disbelief, it only highlights, for me, how pathetic our society is. For all we know, the lady would have felt better if someone had just come by for a chat, or had come from a local charity and engaged her in some useful action.

In the story, she wasn't lonely because she didn't have Jesus. She was lonely because she didn't have the love of other human beings. Finding a community (church) that she could go to ended her loneliness. But there's nothing about that to indicate that it being a church was what helped. Could have been a coven, a knitting circle, a volunteer organization, an adopt-a-grandmother family, whatever.

[Tao_Equus]

Originally Posted by seattlegal

I'm not sure about the lack of faith thing, especially when it comes to the question of the origin of life. I certainly do not have enough faith to believe in abiogenesis when the odds of it occurring are so overwhelmingly remote.

Are they? Please explain why you think so.

[Dondi]

Originally Posted by bob x

I'm sorry Dondi, but I am completely unable to summon up the willing-suspension-of-disbelief to imagine for a minute that this saccharine story is remotely true. Even if, by some chance, it IS true, it just doesn't work. It has the smell of heavy-handed propaganda all over it.

Boy, aren't we cynical. But evidently, you aren't willing to believe it even if you knew for sure it was true. What do you mean 'it just doesn't work', even if the story is true? You don't think that knocking on the door saved the woman from offing herself, or what?

You want to call propaganda on this, how so?

[Dondi]

Originally Posted by path_of_one

My point was that even if we *do* suspend disbelief, it only highlights, for me, how pathetic our society is. For all we know, the lady would have felt better if someone had just come by for a chat, or had come from a local charity and engaged her in some useful action.

In the story, she wasn't lonely because she didn't have Jesus. She was lonely because she didn't have the love of other human beings. Finding a community (church) that she could go to ended her loneliness. But there's nothing about that to indicate that it being a church was what helped. Could have been a coven, a knitting circle, a volunteer organization, an adopt-a-grandmother family, whatever.

You may be right, path. But how often do covens, knitting circles, volunteer organizations, or adopt-a-grandmother family go door to door? Fact is, she found a community church, after someone visited her from it. There are plenty of lonely people who don't visit churches on their own because they are shy. It's nice to be invited sometimes. I mean, how often do you crash parties without an invitation?

[seattlegal]

Originally Posted by seattlegal

I'm not sure about the lack of faith thing, especially when it comes to the question of the origin of life. I certainly do not have enough faith to believe in abiogenesis when the odds of it occurring are so overwhelmingly remote.

Originally Posted by Tao_Equus

Are they? Please explain why you think so.

Alex already did a pretty good job here.

Originally Posted by Dawud

True, it does take faith to be atheist. If you're familiar with the book the Prisoner and the Kings by William Sears or a book called the Challenge of Baha'u'llah, you'll see that the odds are overwhelmingly in favor of super-human knowledge... knowledge from outside of mankind given to us through the Manifestations of God. (are you a Baha'i? I'm writing this in assumption that you're a Baha'i, otherwise you might not have heard of the books I mentioned above.)

I'm a Christian.

[Alex P]

Originally Posted by seattlegal

Alex already did a pretty good job here.


I'm a Christian.

Wow.... I got praise from SG? Nice..

SG, you're a Christian? In what sense.....? Or a real Christian? lol... (Confused.com.... Not saying you're not one!!! Just.... I thought chu was one them buddhists?)