there is something about christians...

let's do a headcount, shall we?

she wrote about it. she also wrote about it.
i think somewhere in the vast blogosphere a couple of guys also wrote about it. or at least something about the topic. heck, even i wrote about this before.

oh tssk. religion has always been a touchy issue.

it's always the christians. it's always those bible thumpers who approach you with that oh so dreaded but familiar line "would you like to know more about Jesus?" it's always the christians who are crazily trying to shove 3 million bibles down the poor non believer's throat, preaching in the name of "good intentions and love". you'll never get a muslim preaching the koran or the buddhist asking you if you know buddha. it. is. always. those. insufferable. christians. sheesh.

and so the prophecy is kinda coming true, isn't it?

"but before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. they will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. this will result in your being witnesses to them." luke 21:12-13, backed up by matthew 24:9.

of course, we do not get thrown into prisons and etcera. but face it, nobody really enjoys being told to their faces that they will go to hell because they do not believe in this guy we call Jesus Christ. nobody really likes sitting through a lecture on biblical history and christian morals when all they really want to do is go home and watch tv.

i've been through this before, and it is an experience that i do not wish to inflict on anyone. i used to feel insulted by people who come up to me to preach the Word, and (maybe) unwittingly conveying the impression that because i do not believe, i am on my way to hell. joy.

what made it worse was when i told them i was catholic, they conveniently forget that i already believe and continue to give me a zillion reasons why Christ exists and why He is "the Way, the Truth and the Light".

makes you want to tear your hair out and scream "i know all that already! shut up!"

nobody really is at fault here. but all these frustration could have been minimised if both sides really understood what is going on.

some non-believers say they understand that we believe salvation is through Christ, and it was out of love that we preach the Word to them. oftentimes it is accompanied by sarcasm and cynicism.

they might not truly understand our intentions. i was like that once, and i certainly did not understand why i am constantly a target for arm-twisting christians who are convinced i'm damned to hell. what i did not understand is the great commission Jesus gave to His disciples: to go out and save the non-believers. (see matthew 28:19)

but in my opinion preaching should be done with tact and consideration for the other party's feelings. forcing the gospel on someone who is barely aqquainted with the text and insinuating that they will go to hell unless they know what we do, especially on the first few meetings, is a wee bit too much. it was already quite bad when a friend of 8 years tried to do it to me, needless to say if a virtual stranger tries to do so.

it takes two to tango. and if one is unwilling or overpowering, there isn't any point in dancing anymore, is there? besides, all things will happen in God's good time.