After a long Saturday night, a few of my friends and I were sitting on her couch having a serious conversation about God, and religion, and what we wanted to do with our lives.
It was brought up that my best friend wanted to be a missionary. In her words "It isnt fair that the people in third world countries havent even heard of Jesus, and they havent had the oppertunity to learn about Christianity." We are both very religions, i guess not your typical Christians.
Another one of my friends said "wouldnt it just be easier to leave them alone. I know it sounds harsh, but they already have their beliefs"
But honestly, these people havent even had the oppertunity to have even heard of Jesus Christ. He plays such a major roles in both of our lives, that I cant even imigine not having that relationships, yet not even to have heard of them!
And obviously she isnt going to go to these countries trying to convert them. That isnt the point of a missionary. She is going to help fight aids, help with womens rights, etc. and let them know about our faith.
So who do you think is right?
DO you think that these people in third world countries deserve to hear about Jesus and God and Christianity?
Or do you think we should just leave them alone?
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First this "And obviously she isnt going to go to these countries trying to convert them. That isnt the point of a missionary." is bull. There is no other way to put it. A missionary tries to convert people. Sorry, but giving people food in exchange for hearing about Jesus is attempting to convert them.
I think it's great that you're helping them, but I don't think helping should be combined with conversion. And, yes, I think that you should leave them to their own religion. Just because you think that you're right doesn't mean you are. For all you know, they could be right or, as I suspect, no religion could be right.
"Every man makes a god of his own desire."
-Virgil
A missionary is there to inform people about their religion. Ultimately, obviously, the point is to convey your message enough and to be so inspiring that they convert, but it isnt your main goal for them to convert.
THeir main goal is to inform these people who have never heard of christianity before.
and for a religion to be right, you simply have to have faith. Personaly, Christinity is right. For me. I have never been in such a better place than I am now with God in my life. And to me, it just has to be right.
You can tell them what you believe and if they ask more about it THEN you may tell them more but there is a fine line between that and making empty promises. Example of worse case senerio: "Here's some food, you'll never go hungry again if you accept Jesus into you life...and if you do Jesus will get you through it."
Hell, some people would accept worshiping Homer Simpson if it meant for them to have a good meal for the first time in months, or even years.
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http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/npsm18
Well yeah. Thats not how it would be. Missionarys help out in the comminity and help through God's love. They are God's messengers.
You cant bribe someone to accept a faith. That's not genuine. And if someone accpeted a faith for food, that wouldnt be an accomplishment to a missionary.
Although I do believe that if you have God, you can rely on miricles to get you through.
True you cannot bribe or threaten someone to accept a certain faith but unfortunately you see it more often then I'd personally like to.
P.S. Please use the reply button at the bottom of each comment (I assume the reply was directed at me)..that or I need to start paying more attention,lol.
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http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/npsm18
sorry im somewhat new at this.
It's okay, it happens :-)
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http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/npsm18
Bribing people with food may not be the gaol of indivduals in the mission who can really have good intentions, but the goal of a missin is conversion, plain and simple. Christians, like members of all religions, think they are right. They also beleive it is their duty to make other people Christians, even though they have nothing other than faith that supports their position.
Will the people who the mission aids be better off because of food and medical help? Yes. Will they be better off becuase they are given the message of Christ? I doubt it.
(If you hit the reply button at the bottom of the post, you reply directly to a comment and it makes the conversation easier to follow)
"Every man makes a god of his own desire."
-Virgil
I can see your point. I just think we are getting different side on this topic.
I dont know if you know any missionaries or aspiring missionaires or not, but my best friend is one. And just from a personal experience from what I see specifically from her, she just doesnt think it's fair that these people havent have the oppertunity to have heard about God and Jesus. Obviously ultimately missionaries' main goal is to convert people, but if they reject it shes not going to force it on them. She, as i do, just thinks its only fair to know about all religions before you decide, or come to learn, your faith.
Who is going to reject the faith of the people feeding them? Like I said, I don't doubt the intention of most missionaries. I disagree with the true intention of the mission itself.
Sorry, I really find people who try to convert others to be irritating. It's just obnoxious. You assume (and that's all you can really do) that you are right and so you spend time trying to spread your assumption to others.
"Every man makes a god of his own desire."
-Virgil
Well we obviously have opposite views. and i guess there is no point in argueing with you since you are so set on your opinion.
which isnt a bad thing : )
go out into all the world and preach the gospel to EVERY creature... thats what we as christians are suppost to do. so yes i think its right.