Religion Please, Hold The Nuts
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Driving past one of the local churches in my neighborhood, their sign read, "God wants faithful followers, not religious nuts." Obviously this church in particular is aware that when you foist onto others too strongly your beliefs it serves to turn people off. Religious nuts won't convince anyone that God is the right path. If anything, what they will do is simply help to affirm for anyone not already religious that they better steer clear of it, lest they be just like them.
The nuts.
There was a lady once at my local grocery store who saw it fit to stop and ask the customers whether or not they believed in God. Watching her I could tell she was on a mission. She stopped one elderly man who was perusing the various bolognas and liverwurst options. "Do you believe in God?" she asked him.
The old man looked up at her incredulously, "What? Get out of here."
The woman leaned in closer to the man, "Well, do you?" The man simply gave her a sneer and went about his business figuring it was better to ignore her than engage her. Clearly she was a woman out of her mind.
As for me, I saw the writing on the wall, and quickly ducked out of sight. It was a late night shopping excursion and so there were not that many customers in the store. If she'd have seen me, she'd have been on me next for sure.
She did catch up to me, of course. As I stood in line at one of the two registers that were open I saw her nearby, perusing the magazines. She picked one out, and then she started heading straight for me. Oh God, I thought, but there was no religious context whatsoever to that. It was only an expression. She came right to my cart and slapped a magazine in front of me, and for the life of me I cannot recall the name of it. But it was clearly not one that they sell in the stores, so I know she had strategically placed it in the magazine racks at one point or another. It also was not a magazine at all, but rather a pamphlet. It had words on it like 'awakening,' and 'Jesus and your relationship with the Lord.'
"God loves you," she said to me. "Have you given yourself to the Lord?"
I simply said, "Really, I don't have time." I was going to say more, my intent was not to be impolite. I just really didn't want to be bothered in the grocery store checkout line...
By a nut.
But she cut me off. She leaned into me like she had done with that old man checking out the liverwurst. "Do you believe in God?"
"No," I said. It was as simple as that for me. Something short and quick just to get her out of my hair.
"Oh, so you're going to hell, right?"
When she said that she gave me the most wicked look. She was excited. Her voice shook ever slightly. I could tell her heart had just sped up the pace a bit. There was fire in her eyes, and I thought to myself perhaps she wasn't a religious nut after all, but rather old Beelzebub himself in disguise drag. Course, I'm certain that had the devil laid a finger on anything even remotely referring to Jesus or God Himself like that pamphlet she'd plopped down in front of me, the devil's hands surely might have burst into flames. That didn't happen so I suppose the logical conclusion was simply that she was indeed a nut.
I simply pushed my cart to the next checkout lane and told her that I really did not have time for her. She seemed to figure that I was a lost cause and she darted off back into the aisles. I surmised she was probably looking for her next victim.
The thought came to my mind that if Heaven were full of people like her, why on Earth would I want to spend my eternity there? What would be the serenity in that? To me that would be more like torture than eternal bliss. And then, wouldn't that be hell?
This is supposing, of course, that a person who does not believe in God can believe in hell. Isn't hell a biblical place? Isn't hell the opposite of Heaven? Seems to me in order to believe in hell, you have to first believe in God. Hell is only mentioned in the Holy Bible.
This is where Homer Simpson might shout out his ever famous, "D'oh!"
The point is not my religion. Neither is the point my thoughts about religion. It's simply to say that this church had it right when they said that God wants faithful followers, not religious nuts. I think it also says that when a person is ready to give themselves to God, they will. They will do it not because someone came to them with The Word. They will do it because their heart has led them there all on their own. And that's not to say it's wrong to spread The Word. It is to say that it is wrong to impose The Word.
It is also to say that the person who chooses not to hear The Word, is not automatically a bad person. It's also to say that not everyone who follows The Word is a good person. Frankly, I think if it came down to it, the woman in the grocery store would have some explaining to do upon her arrival at the Gates to Heaven.
If there is a Heaven, I might like to go there just to see the look on her face when that happens.
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The key for me is no one should have religion imposed on them by anyone. It's a very, very personal affair and if anybody wants to have a relationship with God they can have one in their own way.
Wesman, she's not as bad as those who, say, have the loudspeakers on the rooftops of their cars with religious stickers on every inch of paint (yep, there's one who drives through West Allis spreading the Gospel that way), but I'd rather have neither if I had my way. I'm fine with faith. I'm fine with religion. I'm fine with the faithful. Hell, I may have an ounce or two of my own faith hidden beneath my skin in all reality. I just don't like to be beaten over the head or immediately banished to hell because I happen to believe most of the Bible is a great story, but not an explanation.
Most people get in trouble when they forget or are not aware that Jesus did everything that is required for our salvation. All we have to do is to accept His Lordship. The works we do are because we love Him and want to tell everyone else why we love Him. Zealots (nuts) get in trouble when they mistakenly assume that works come first.
It seems there was more of this stuff when I was younger I recall people approaching me when I was shopping for a suit and asking something like have I been saved.I guess my stand is that only God knows that.In my religious tradition it would be arrogant to claim to be saved.
I've had my head beaten nearly to the proverbial smithereens with the stuff. I'm not certain I'll ever recover. (notice how I inserted the term "proverbial," derived from the book, "Proverbs" into that sentence!)
But I'm trying to recover. The biggest problems, and the worst nuts-all come from the fundamentalist, and the crew that take the Bible word for word, as the perfect word of God. These are the people that really, and truly think that the world was created in six days. You can't reason with those people, and they shouldn't have graduated from high school. If you don't know what a metaphor, simile, or allegory is-then you'd have failed my high school English classes, and you should have failed the non-honors English classes too.
Evolution is a fact. The Bible deals with Truth, not fact-there is a difference. Jesus and the disciples didn't go around annoying people-people followed THEM around. Why? Because what they said and did, their very lives-were amazing. I'm willing to bet nobody follows the people that you described around-except maybe some mental health professionals, and some high level law enforcement agents!
Pop, I absolutely agree. Well said.
Diamond, I tend to think sometimes that the nuts are simply afraid. They are probably people whose lives were very troubled at one point. They feel now that they have to make up for that, or else the Lord will banish THEM to hell. Sort of an overcompensation, if you will.
Dahoglund, I tend to agree about the saved part. We are all sinners. Every darn one of us. We are human. That's simply what we are. We can have a conscience about every bad action we take in this world, but if a God were to condemn us for being human...
Well, it just doesn't make any sense to me.
God has sent the men in the white coats and she will be picked up soon---Hahahahahaha!
Wesman, the word 'fact' is where your and my thinking diverge a bit. I definitely tend toward evolution. I definitely tend toward the big bang theory. However, I don't find these two ideas to be irrefutably conclusive. I can say that based on conclusions thus far drawn, the theory of evolution and the the theory of the big bang seem, to me, to be more logical, and seem, to me, to be less biased as to the origin of the conclusions. But ultimately I don't believe that anyone can truly claim a fact without incontrovertible proof.
So, having said that I have just as much of a problem with those who unequivocally, and forcefully denounce God as those who unequivocally advocate for God. To me, to claim to know the truth absolutely is both naive, and quite arrogant.
Maybe I should have said that it's a fact that the world WAS NOT created in six days, as could be taken only from the literal interpretation of the book of Genesis?
Here's the deal: You CAN believe in the Biblical God, the big bang, AND evolution all at the same time. Why not?
Who's to say that God didn't employee those mechanism in his creation? Only the literal interpreting Bible thumping fundies disagree with that. . . . .and then there's the hard core atheist.
I like to piss the fundies and the atheist off(and it's easy to see how I do), there's nothing in science that can prove or disprove the existence of God, or Gods.
I recently had a lady try to explain how the earth is only six thousand years old, and she used Einstein theory of relativity to do it, And that is why the carbon data and everything is off. I thought to my, if it is relativity then it is older, and her dates and the science dates match, Dahhhhhh. That would have been over her head.
Keep on hubbing!
Jim,
My best response ever to a religious nut when they asked me about my belief was I'm a Satanic cultist. They left quite quickly.
LOL@TOM Whitworth!!!!!! Yeah, that will do it, Tom!
You go to the grocery store later in the evening to avoid crowds and then it turns out, a crowd is what was needed for cover from 'hymn-coming', get it? Hymn-coming! Oh, I just cracked myself up. LOL!!!
Pretty interesting piece of writing here. I just DO choose to believe, but like you, I don't want anyone's beliefs forced on me, and I don't seek to impose mine on anyone else. It is really sad that probably more people have been killed over religion than ANY otehr single issue. Bottom line, you cannot FORCE somebody to feel in their heart something they don't. Likewise, they can tell you ANYTHING you want to hear if only to save their own skins!!!!!!
Springboard, I really liked your hub and I don't want religion pushed down by throat and I don't like people knocking on my door. I love my church but it is private. Very good job with this hub.
I cant get over people like that.. a person's religion is personal enough information that I'm not gonna wanna talk about it on the bread aisle.
I am a very religious person! My belief in God is real and I do believe that those who do not exept Him will go to hell. On the other hand, I believe that it is God who does the convicting...not me, or anyone else! When a person is ready (from God working in his heart) he/she can come to me and I will share the Word with them. I do not believe that I need to go into the stores and preach hell and damnation. This made your story so good to hear! You made a good point!
Lady G, lol!
Wesman, on the idea that one can believe in God AND everything else I totally agree. If I can't know it's true, how can I then know it's not? :) Can we possibly be two sensible people in the world?
Eovery, I'm amazed by people who believe in the 6,000 year old thing. Doesn't make a bit of sense no matter how one tries to slice it. I think Einstein might have laughed hysterically.
Tom, you're bad. lol. I will have to try that next time.
Pcoach, lol.
Doesn't that gentleman know how unhealthy liverwurst is? Filled with saturated fat and loaded with calories. My my my, you should have warned him. LOL
A very thoughtful and thought inspiring hub. Thank you.
Before Wesman jumps all over me I am not an Athiest OK ?
But to me the non existence of God lies in the following story.
A priest was walking past a well tended garden, the grass was trim and the beds of beautiful flowers were weed free and freshly water.
When he saw the gardener he smiled and remarked, "My Son isn't it wonderful what God and man can achieve when we work in harmony ?"
Without looking up the gardener replied, "Father how right you are but you should have seen the state of the place when God had it all to himself !"
For Garden read Planet.... Look around at what mankind has achieved and give credit where credit is due.
And then there are the nuts who think we're all being x-rayed or something. They seem to simply choose a subject. I don't hold religion responsible for these nuts any more than I hold science responsible for the ones who are afraid of radio signals.
Hey Springboard,
Thank you for sharing your story and the refreshing thoughts. I have witnessed these kinds of people in my past. I feel so sorry for them, because I think they must not have anyone at their home to love them, so they seek attention publicly.
Check this site out and do a search on religion or agriculture or medicine and see what come up prior--way prior to the 4th century BC. It will clear some mis-conceptions up about some events that happened in that Bible. http://www.enotes.com/peoples-chronology
Interesting story. I have ran into people like this. I know they are on a mission, but it is a real turn off.
Spring- I am withW todd shaw-
I had someone come up tooo me and say "Have you been saved by the lord?" I said actuall... "he told me I was not ready and sent me back" You would have thought I sprouted up 2 heads.... He just stood there as I walked away. I did not explain.
TH
Great word! Many have encountered religious people who were just that, religious. They cared neither for my life or for my soul. Thank you for sharing.
I believe that the best witness for Yeshua that we can give to the world is the way we live our own lives...the way we handle tragedy or suffering, how we give of ourselves and our resources, what kind of stewards we are of what God has blessed us with. If we live a life that reflects Yeshua then just as scripture says, others will be drawn to our light.
Thanks for a good hub. Enjoyed it.
Gayle
Spring, In the south it is common to ask trangers if they are good Christian's. A have a lot of family around Birmingham, Alabama that do pizza shows to make money.
A young man was sent by his boss to collect $100 from him for providing the condiments. My cousin told the young man; didn't your boss tell you that he cut the price to $50? The young one replied, no. He told my cousin; if you say so, just give me $50. Money in hand the young man walked away. My cousin turned to his wife saying, G-D has provided. All he did was lie to the collector. H
Great point! Yes, religious is not necessarily being a witness of God's love and sincere care. Appreciate your sharing.
Sheri, so true. Religion, when taken to the extreme, can be a very dangerous thing. I take relgion this way; I'll view it with an open mind as I view the alternative explanations. In the end we'll all know the answer...
Or we'll simply move on to the next big question. Who knows?
Steve, besides the fact that liverwurst must be the most horrific thing to eat...I usually am one to say I'll try anything. Liverwurst is not one of those things. :) Perhaps the woman in the store should have been happy. After all, he WAS elderly, and it probably wasn't his first trip along the liverwurst aisle, so he was well on his way to getting his own answer about God real soon.
Hello, much oblige. :)
Pamela, knocking on my door is a big no-no with me. You have to wonder how receptive a church might be if I knocked on THEIR door on a quiet Sunday morning and asked them if they might be interested to chat about evolution? Some people fail to understand in this world that it cuts both ways.
Merlin, Amen to that...or something like that. :)
Sheila, without a doubt, the world is a funny place with a ton of wacky people living in it.
Whikat, I remember one time at a former job this girl and a guy were talking in the breakroom about the fact that she didn't have anyone in her life at the time. The guy suggested she go to church as she might meet someone there. She said back to him, "There's nothing but weirdos, former druggies, and ex-cons in churches." Sadly, to a large extent, her statement is not that inaccurate. lol
Sandy, indeed it is.
I loved this. It was charming, and humorous, yet truthful all at the same time. This instance pefectly illustrates the blatant hypocrisy that is present in organized religion. No matter what anyone's beliefs are, I think most would agree that this type of behavior is certainly not "What Jesus Would Do". Great hub, Springboard!
Great Hub. I fully agree. Religion is a personal thing and some of us choose to believe in our own way at our own time, in a place where we feel comfortable. There is not a need to go the a church or synagog or any other "perscribed" place to be spiritual.
I loved...laughed all the way especially when she cornered the guy in the meat market! LOL! Why is it preachers say you can't watch church on television on Sunday anyway? Is there a rule about that somewhere or does it have to do with the collection plate? Do'ah! WB
Carolina, absolutely true. And especially not with a total stranger to boot.
SpecialK, sensible, honest, true Christians I have no problem with. It would seem you are in that lot, at least when it comes to the evangelist part. :)
Tom, that would have been a sight to behold. lol
Johnny, the world has all kinds of people. Sometimes that a good thing. Other times it's unfortunate.
Loved this. Must follow you to read more. Promise not to follow you to your car throwing leaflets, though.
Cornerstone, that's not a bad view at all.
Harvey, such a question to me would seem pretentious and rude. Hmmm, and usually the people from the south are not that way. A dilemma for sure.
MsDee, thanks for stopping in. :)
I am a Christian, but far from being a nut. I have to respect the beliefs of all even if it isn't what I beleive in. If someone asks me, I will answer. If they want to debate religion, I probably won't. Why? Because it is a personal choice to me and as such, it is a personal choice for everyone else. I choose to beleive and it has worked for me. It helps me focus on the good things and not the negative things. Other people may have a different approach to achieve the same thing and the more power to them. Even our pastor is against the extreme religious nuts, and I avoid them as well.
In his day many considered John The Baptist to be a "religious nut" yet Jesus thought enough of him to be Baptized by him. So while I recognize there are religious zealots out there, I try not too judge them too harshly. After all, their faith compells them to intervene on behalf of your salvation . Great hub!
Sunflower, thank you. :)
Cooper, excellent point. Being truly Christian is not about how many times you go to church, but how many times you do the right thing. And, of course, I should also point out that one need not be a Christian to know the difference between right and wrong, or to do the right thing.
Wayne, sadly, I think it's ALL about the collection plate.
Dim, thanks for the accolades. As for the leaflets, the only good thing about them is the backside of them which can be used for scribbling notes. Saves me money on buying paper. :)
Good Hub, Springboard, and it echoes my sentiments exactly - to me, religion is a very private and personal thing.
That is the strange thing about Greece - although it is constitutionally a Christian country, proselytizing for any religion, including the Greek Orthodox church, is frowned upon. It is seen as very impolite and rude to ask somebody about their religious beliefs or try to force your views on another.
Politics, economics, and sport are fair game for debate - religion, no :)
Hi, this reminds me of the time when I was absolutely broke and had to go to the job centre as I had lost my job, suddenly a couple of women sat down next to me, beaming all over their faces. Turning to me they said, Hello, do you know Jesus loves you? I just stared at them, and as usual for me, me mouth engaged before my brain did and I replied, 'Well, obviously not today or he would give me a hand here!' they just looked stunned and turned away! ooops!! lol
Great hub. No one should pry into the affairs of others in regard to religous affairs. Religion is a matter of choice.
Great Hub! here is a guy in the area where I live who drives around waving a Bible out of his car window and shouting religious slogans. I always wonder if he does get anyone to believe by such behaviour? All the same I guess he's pretty harmless and if it gives him a sense of contributing then I guess good for him! Personally accosting people as the woman in your Hub did though, is another matter altogether. That is simply rude and unnecessary!
Love and peace
Tony
Ehern, I think the key is keeping an open mind if a debate should happen for whatever reason, and they sometimes do. It's only when both sides are wholly convinced they have the right answer that things get ugly and off the wall. I come from the tenet that I believe, but I do not know. And there is a big difference in those two things. I allow myself to explore all of the possibilities rather than simply hang on to my own beliefs as though they are without the possibility of being wrong.
Oh- you're all going to HELL!
Just funning you. I think hell is way over used. It is NOT the duty of the religious to send people to hell. The job of the spiritually inclined is to help mankind. someday I'll put a hub together and try to name the acts of compassion from God and Jesus. The Golden Rule is THE LAW. And - atheists can and do participate.
Now - I will be told I'm lying, my mind is telling me lies, etc. by "followers of "something". I received umpteen emails in just this fashion recently. I am a liar when I say - my atheists friends who obey the Golden Rule will not go to hell. If they are obeying the Golden Rule - they are obeying God's greatest commandment.
They will point out a scripture I don't care for.
Here's the DEAL - if I am to believe in God - God will be benevolent! If my God is not - what would be the point? I will not serve a wicked God. I will not serve a childish God that kills on whims of revenge. I serve a GOOD God or none at all. "Kind people" do not go to hell.
Regardless of all scripture and whatever mere mortals want to believe in - if I am to serve an all powerful God that knows every hair on my head - this God is SO BIG that HE can change HIS mind. My God can bend space and time.
Christians do not send people to hell. They are not qualified and neither or any other believers.
For some people this life has been hell enough. Thank you for a great post.
Nifty@50, while I'm not disagreeing with you, I'm wondering if you would be as okay with a man walking up to someone in the same scenario and slapping a "Why your God is a fake..." booklet in front of them? Both atheists and religious fanatics are as convinced as the other that they are right. It's the foisting of their convictions on others that I find troubling. Not the convictions themselves.
Sufidreamer, as it should be. It appears the Greek are smart about that. About entitlements...not so...but that's for another topic, is it not? :)
Nell, I totally saw their stunned looks. :)
Stars, and a personal thing as well as many have stated correctly here. Believe, be happy to believe, and appreciate that others may not choose to believe in the same as you do, but also believe that that's okay.
TonyMac, there's a guy like that rolling around the Metro Milwaukee area as well. His car is complete with a bullhorn on top and religious sayings from stickers and paint cover every inch of the vehicle. I wonder to myself often if the guy spends as much time being a Christian as he does trying to convince everyone else why THEY should be one?
Hi, Springboard. I guess there is a component of religion that attracts nuts, that is, the mentally imbalanced. And, in the case of your 'friend,' she seemed pretty harmless. Just a pest.
My problem is with the people who seem to tell others that they are going to hell, and they deliver this message with a kind of nasty glee.
Years ago, I used to get mad at the people who came to my door to ask me about my faith. I resented the intrusion. Now, in my mature years, I treat them with respect and kindness. They have all been polite. It is just something that they do.
My son worked at a job with a follower of that particular religion. This woman was so kind to my son who was nervous about his new position. They often argued about religion. But they became friends. He gained a new view of people and their behavior, an acceptance of other people's points of view.
Micky, thank you for an insightful, and honest post as well. I like your thinking on this one.
Dolores, the truth is that there are probably nuts on both sides attracted for different reasons. In both instances the folks in either clan are simply those who are convinced that what they believe is the absolute truth, and nothing but the truth, and anyone who does not share in the belief is simply incredulous, naive, stupid, and certainly doomed to one or another of a horrible fate. For the religious nut it's being doomed to hell. For the total atheist nut, it's simply darkness and the ceasing of existing in any form.
Micky, thank you for an insightful, and honest post as well. I like your thinking on this one.
Delores, the truth is that there are probably nuts on both sides attracted for different reasons. In both instances the folks in either clan are simply those who are convinced that what they believe is the absolute truth, and nothing but the truth, and anyone who does not share in the belief is simply incredulous, naive, stupid, and certainly doomed to one or another of a horrible fate. For the religious nut it's being doomed to hell. For the total atheist nut, it's simply darkness and the ceasing of existing in any form.
I was driving truck pulling a large trailer loaded with equipment and had one of those guys with the loud speaker and signs pointing his finger at me, screaming scripture as we approached my vehicle at a very busy intersection nearly causing an accident.
I am a believer and my lifestyle has changed considerably for the good when I personally accepted Christ into my heart. All the years I rebelled was because of religious nuts like you explain so well, telling me I'm going to hell.
When I see religious nuts in action I see a lot of pride and self-centeredness disguised in a general concern of my salvation, nothing in my spirit amens what is being displayed but was always the very thing that pushed me further away from God. Man loves to put the attention on himself, "I" am going to win souls to Christ, "I" am going to start a revival, "I" am going to spread a message, "I", "I", "I", "ME", "ME", "ME". I like what one of your previous commentators stated, Christ did it all. All we need to do is just listen and obey.
This is a great topic and love the title. I could go on and on, sorry for the lengthy comment, I just think you bring up an excellent point, and my hope is that everyone could ignore these religious nuts and if you truly want to seek the Almighty, just get down on your knees, and diligently seek Him with your whole heart, soul and strength, not expecting to microwave faith and get every answer in life in one conversation with God, but building Faith and allowing your Heavenly Father to father you.
Not to worry about writing lengthy comments. Have you seen some of the comments I leave on others pages? lol. Some might say that, at times, I leave HUBS, rather than comments. :) In any event, I find that religion is, and should be a personal thing. Faith is between you, your God, and is something that drives your personal action, decision, interaction, and other such things in life. The path to Heaven, if there is one, is one in which you live by the Word, and I think if ever there were an example of "Actions speak louder than words," what you DO and how you CONDUCT yourself is what makes one a Christian, or worthy of a place in Heaven—if there is such a place. Obviously I'm not among the believers, but I have no reason to have ill feeling toward anyone who chooses to believe, and who lives their life with faith as their guiding light. When you blast your guiding light in my eyes, I think you fall into that "nut" category, and you fall OUT of that Christian category. By the way, I absolutely love your commentary on the "I" and "Me" factor...It speaks volumes regarding to the selfish nature of religious nuts, and the motivations behind their actions. These people, I presume, want a seat right along side the Man Himself when they get there. There is another word for this we use in the workworld...I believe the term is "ass-kisser." One wants a place, or a title, and they'll do whatever it takes to get it. THESE people forget that the Word speaks well enough for Itself, and if someone is willing, and ready, they will hear it well enough on their own. Thanks for stopping by, and I hope to see you back.
The fact is that god is not real and religion is made up nonsense. I would have told it to her straight, get her checked in to a mental ward where all idiot theists belong. She is just doing it for attention.
While I disagree somewhat with your analysis of God and religion, I certainly agree with the latter part of your statement. My take on religion is simply, "I don't know." I lean toward "it's probably nonsense," but I am willing to concede that my leaning belief that God does not exist, and the Bible is nothing more than a great story might be completely wrong. I can't emphatically say yes or no when it comes to the question of God or religion, and I think that people who DO claim their belief to be absolute to be closed minded, and a LOT naive. Isn't it also a bit self-aggrandizing to believe that YOU or I, mere humans, hold the answer to the greatest question on earth? That goes for atheists and Christians alike.
For me I am neither a Christian nor an atheist. I am simply a guy who doesn't know, and I'm willing to admit that. My best guess is that I will be on the fence until my last breath, and my last physical thought will likely be the answer to my question—which unfortunately cannot be shared as it has never been by those who have gone through the experience.
Thank you for you Hub Springboard. I must confess that I walked a very fine line when I first became a believer.
I wanted to 'hit' everyone in my family with a giant cross and convert them immediately. I also never passed up the opportunity to hand out religious tracts. For Christmas and Easter my family essentially put up with my preaching simply because I was biologically connected. Thank God I've since matured and keep the focus on myself. Thanks again.
Always best to leave people to their own devices. Sometimes they stumble in your direction anyway. :)
I believe we should share with others the good news. But it is good to ask Lord for wisdom. Holy Spirit is only one who open heart of the man. But not without our information.
Well, there is definitely a big difference between sharing and shoving something down one's throat. In this case I think she was trying to shove her beliefs down my throat, and it made me close my ears to anything meaningful she may have had to offer.
I'm open minded. Being that I expect anyone who wishes to engage a topic with me to also be that.
I believe she had a disadvantage. I seen on TV talking to people on public the same way and they are ashamed to be once not to face the truth. So they participated. If I would be there I would suggest to her: Would you please tell people Jesus love you? Maybe she would. Love yea friend.
I would have much preferred at the time to tell her to get a life. I just didn't think of it then. ;)
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Wesman Todd Shaw 19 months ago
I read a hub recently by a young woman with all sorts of amazing insights, she pointed out that the reason why a lot of people want to believe in God is because they feel that so many of the rest of us deserve to go to hell!
LOL! I thought that that was HILARIOUS, and, sadly, TRUE.
Yup, I've met your woman before, probably not really-but I've met her spiritual kinfolk. I've been in jails with them, rehabs. . . . .and, sadly, churches.
Another of my favorite hubbers is A.M. Werner, maybe I spelled that right. He comments mine pretty often, and he gets a million kudos from me for being 1. very knowledgeable concerning scripture, 2. non-confrontational, and 3. sincere.
He's not pushy. He knows about where I'm at with this stuff, and if I want a sermon, then we can have those over at his hubs-but not nearly all of them are sermons. He's the type of Christian I like.
Great hub-and who are we if we don't talk about these things? Everyone has to deal with and categorize this subject, and these types of people.