Shaun30NotPerfectJust4given's blog: "Blogs for thought"

In order to be totally fair and unbias,I want to begin this blog by approaching this subject from a skeptics or non-believers perspective.

One of the main reasons some people are initially so turned off,guarded and eventually end up hostile towards Christianity(and then so determined to invalidate it) is because of the judgmental and extreme way some Christians and preachers approach them.Some of these people resistant to Christianity already feel shame over things they may have done which might be one of the things that keeps them from turning to God to begin with. So, Being judged is the LAST thing they need to feel.(I'm against this particular approach and I'm a Christian,my self! lol So it's completely understandable when people become resistant when they hear a preachers barking at them, saying they will go to hell if they don't accept Christ)But,seriously,Believe it or not, despite their approach, there ARE sincere Christians who have pure intentions(I know there are some non-believers who might be reading this thinking "yeah right") But there are. Unfortunately, some are a little overzealous and focus more on WHAT Jesus taught than HOW He taught it. In this overzealous attempt to reach people, some Christians seem to forget love and compassion--which is the basis of Christianity-- and switch gears right into aggression and judgement mode(I mean Judgmental in a very negative way. You all know the kind of people I'm talking about.The ones who are all like "You're a sinner! you're going to hell!! Repent!! bark! bark!" lol) This makes Christians come across as self-righteous and arrogant and it gives the impression that ALL Christians are like that. As if we have never made a mistake in our lives lol. And to non-Christians,this can sound very hypocritical.Even worse is, it gives the impression that God is nothing but an angry,vengeful tyrant. This aggressive approach only frightens people away. And, it can effect someone for the rest of their lives to the point where they become emotionally guarded and resistant to Christians or Christianity resulting from that experience.Especially,if they have an experience like that at a young age. And,unfortunately, children are sometimes present when a preacher is preaching one of his or her "fire and brimstone" sermons. I know there are many reading this that have had that type of experience as a child. And,as a Christian,myself, I'd like to apologize. That is wrong and shouldn't happen 

I was having a discussion with one of my fellow Christians about this particular approach. She was all for it. She felt that today's society NEEDED this aggressive approach. Then,I suggested something to her--I asked her to put herself in the shoes of someone who has been kicked around,abused(emotionally,physically and/or sexually) their whole life. And,because of that, has no reason or desire to even consider the existence of a loving benevolent God. And imagine someone persuades you to come to church and the person preaching is one of these hell fire preachers we had been talking about. Then I asked her--Do you believe that hearing that preacher will attract that person to or repel them further from God than they already are? She,then, agreed that that way of preaching may not be the best approach to use on everyone. 

On behalf of non-believers,here is another question I would like to ask my fellow Christians to clear up this confusion and misconception people have about REAL Christianity-When did Jesus ever judge(Without a very good reason) persecute or even raise His voice in anger or aggression during His ministry? The only time He ever raised His voice and got ticked off was when He caught the money changers and other people committing immoral acts and corrupting and disrespecting the Temple in Jerusalem(Understandably so. Because, this was His Father's house. How would you like it if someone came into your home--or even any public establishment. It doesn't necessarily have to be a church-- and began selling drugs,prostitution and so forth? And the things people were doing in the Temple were just as wrong in those days as they are today). So, that would upset even the kindest, most gentle person.Anyway,the rest of the time Jesus approached people with love and compassion no matter who they were,how they treated or reacted to Him or whatever they did wrong. In fact, When people were about to stone the prostitute, He was the one who stopped them and said "Let he that is without sin cast the first stone". Immediately they all dropped their stones and walked away. Why? because they knew they weren't perfect either. EVERYONE has sin in their lives whether it's a sin everyone knows about or one you keep hidden in your closet. NO ONE is perfect. Then Jesus goes on to tell the prostitute "You've been forgiven.Go and sin no more." No lecture,nothing. And this was a prostitute. This wasn't a woman who just stole something. I'm not saying one is worse than the other. Because,like I said in another post--all sin is equal in the eyes of God. No sin is worse than another-contrary to popular opinion.They're all equally bad whether it's stealing or adultery. And,the great thing about that is, every sin is equally forgivable. But, if every sin is equal in the eyes of God, why do we as Christians JUDGE people more according to the level of the sin (as if there even is such a thing) instead of evaluating and getting to know the person who did it? It's US who put labels and levels on sin and determine which sin is greater than another. God is fair and balanced and treats every sin the same. 

God focuses on the heart of the person, not on their particular sin. But, For some reason, some of us Christians tend to get very aggressive(and throw stones,figuratively speaking) right away before we even get to know the person.(I think, for some of these people,it's some sort of self righteous power trip). This is not the way Christ would want His people speaking for Him. This is why I don't approve of ministers like John Hagee. I know many Christians admire him and think of him as one of the greatest evangelists of our time. But,I'm sorry, even being a Christian, myself, I can see why so many people find his way of ministering extreme and controversial and why they would be turned off. He's the "poster-pastor" for the term "over zealousness" lol. Sure, he uses humor at times to "lighten the mood". But, most of the time, he is very aggressive and in your face. 

Of course, there are some very stubborn and hard headed people who are set in their ways and who won't listen no matter what because it either contradicts everything they were brought up to believe(or not believe) or it challenges their way of life. And they are threatened by that. And,maybe some of those people need that aggressive approach. An example of this is the way teachers who are strict with students who are uncooperative and constantly disrupt the class. And those same students,later, thank those teachers for being strict with them because they came to understand that it was only because those teachers cared and wanted them to reach their full potential. We've all had teachers like that and we've all had those moments of that realization. THAT, I can understand. But, this aggressive approach I'm talking about should ONLY be used as a LAST resort, not an introduction. Because it makes a VERY negative first impression. It would be like those teachers I mention barking and yelling at his or her students before they even do anything wrong. 

Jesus taught with patience, love, and compassion-not aggression. I think one of the first things we need to be taught as Christians is-"Know your audience". In order to effectually and SUCCESSFULLY minister to someone, you have to evaluate and get to know the type of person you are talking to before you begin to minister to them to see whether you are dealing with a person who is willing to listen to what you have to say or someone who is stubborn and disrespectful. For example if you come across a person who is even REMOTELY open and receptive to the message you are trying to send them and you immediately rip their head off with the whole "Hell fire and Brimstone" approach, you are just going to scare that person off lol. Or, they will turn on you and start to retaliate with vulgarity and insults. Which only gives that preacher MORE reason to use an even MORE aggressive approach. How is that reaching people for Christ??? That's only going have that person walking away with an even more negative opinion towards Christianity than before. Which, I think is a VERY legitimate reason for that person to be bitter and hostile towards Christianity. I totally understand. Because I would probably react the same way if I were not a Christian already and was treated the way a lot of so-called "Christians" treated non-Christians. And on behalf of those people-I apologize. 

The real shame of it is that, this anger,bitterness and resentment that is caused as a result of the mistreatment of Christians towards non-Christians also encourages people to attempt to dispute the validity of Christianity as a way of dealing with the bitterness they have against it. And then, in turn, give other people the wrong impression about it, discouraging THEM to give it a chance. And that chain of negativity will just grow and grow and grow. Which is the complete opposite of what we want to happen. As the old saying goes "You attract more bees with honey than you do with vinegar." And many Christians use vinegar haha. 

But,at the same time, to all the non-Christians reading this,remember-every group of people(Including Christianity) whether it's a faith,a club or any other organization- has a few bad members (some more than others. I mean,look at Congress. And don't get me started on Obama lol) To judge an entire group of people based on a few bad ones is the very definition of discrimination and the foundation on which racism is based on. The majority of Christians out there don't intentionally mean to hurt or offend anyone. But it happens. Christians are human too and make mistakes. Which is why our salvation depends not on how good WE are, but how merciful GOD is by sending His son to die for us. 

Anyway, when someone comes up to you to talk about God, don't automatically assume you will be treated in the way I'm talking about. Because, again, not all preachers are like that. There ARE Christians out there who know how to speak and relate to people. Besides,If you are really honest with yourself, most of the time, the only people who react defensively are those who know that what they are doing is wrong or have something to hide. I've reacted that way a few times myself and it doesn't help anything. If you do come across a preacher like the ones I'm talking about, just keep looking and find someone you are comfortable with and can relate to. Because,like I said, Christians are people too and make mistakes. And I guarantee, if you look around, you will find someone who has been through some of the very same (or similar)circumstances that you've gone through and who will understand :-) 

In conclusion-- Please don't allow a bad experience you've had with the kind of people I am talking about discourage you from attempting to get closer to God. Just remember that no matter how someone approaches you about God, try and look past their "approach" to the core message they are tying to get across. Because, the "approach" may be rough. But, the message is what is important. And it is the most important message you will ever hear. God bless you:) 

If Christians reading this think this comes across as a bit harsh, just imagine how harsh we come across to non-Christians. Kinda gives you a fresh perspective.I just believe that,in order to,efectually,minister to non-believers, we have to make an effort to nunderstand why they feel the way they do. Only then, can we reach them on a more personal and long-lasting level.