Is it right to preach to people?

Once is too much ? Little harsh So you were a practising liar for 20 years ? Why should I believe you now ? I believed in Santa Clause from 3-6. Same with the Easter Bunny and Buck Rogers . I don't think it affected me too much You dont think I never questioned Christianity ? You live next to a church Hehe, you must have been a right fool to believe in a fairytale for such a long time. Now however you are wise... Thats right, setup clinics and soup kitchens so we can exploit them huh ? How many 3-6 year olds go to church ? I do know many 14-18 year old's were forced through evolutionary Biology lessons. You could be a biology teacher too. I believe you called it 'indoctrination'. It's called a Theory, but its really a fact! Ok, ASSUME you have kids. Telling them there is no God , between the ages of 3-6. Is that not indoctrination ? How could they explain it ? Perhaps tell me aliens put DNA on earth ? Hehe, you had faith that God could create the Entire universe, the vast complexities of DNA, that every hair on your head was counted for, but ofcourse God was unable to do anything that denied the scientific model of nature ?You remind me of some of the Israelites... If it's so disgustingly annoyed by it, why do you spend half your time on a forum discussing Creation and Christianity ?Z

LOL, Once now is yes. Because I am no longer a Xian, logic isnot your strong point is it? I thnk it has affected you a lot, there's one fantasy figure you still believe in. And I teach religious studies! Which brings me into the most contact with Xians. Yup, at least now I am mature enough to realise that I was a fool, some people never learn this LOL. Yes, this is an established fact. I dont know how many 3-6 years olds go to church, I bet a fair proportion of 'saved' xian parents will be dragging their 3-6 year olds along to church. How many infants rush down to the church to get baptised before they can walk or talk? (child abuse) I actually quite fancy doing a science degree, but I don't have the time. I seriously thught that I was very ignorant about science, but now I realise I actually know a great deal more than I first thought. LOL I'm not going to spell it out again, try studying what evolutionists claim for a minute and keep away from ICR or AiG. You are assuming that I would tell them that there is no God, why would I do that, that would make me as evil as the xians who do that. Again, your ignorance of evolution is apparent, evolution does not attempt to explain the origin of life, go look up what evolution claims to explain. The ancestors of the people that Xians tried to wipe off the face of the Earth you mean?[q]If it's so disgustingly annoyed by it, why do you spend half your time on a forum discussing Creation and Christianity [/qs]I choose to come here, that's the difference. I do not spend that much time here, and any discussions I get involved in is more than likely related to archaeology, although I do put my tuppence worth in now and then at other threads.Why do you come here to discuss evolution when, despite your scientific background, you know absolutely nothing about it?Brian[This message has been edited by Brian, 11-17-2003][This message has been edited by Brian, 11-17-2003]

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The question is, is preaching right or wrong?

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It really doesn't matter who likes it or who doesn't. This is because such a statement only gives us a relative answer. If there is to be an absolute answer (i.e. definitively right or wrong) then we must search in the realm of absolutes.So then, personal distates, or tastes, for preaching or evangelistic efforts can not be any kind of measurement of rightness or wrongness. Neither can examples that are overwhelmingly negative (or positive for that matter) because they, individually, do nor make an accurate representation of the whole.Furthermore, the comparisons made by others are also invalid. The reason is because I have been subjected to numerous expressions of socialistic and communistic dogma. I did not go seeking these, nor was I presented the opportunity to make the propigation of the ideas stop. I was only given a choice: listen, or walk away (to the best of my knowledge I have not been strapped to a chair and mentally force-fed anything).Another point, and please excuse me for seeming to state the obvious, is that the argument of "brainwashed children" can not be used. At least not at this time. Because the issue raised is whether preaching is right or wrong. At this point in the discussion we, as a group of fellow debaters, have concluded it may be totally wrong or it may be totally right. In that spectrum there is the possibility that it could be right, but just not suitable for certain age groups. I will briefly illustrate by saying there is obvious material out there in any public media outlet that I would not want my children (if I had any) to view.So then, we must establish first whether preaching is right or wrong. If it is wrong, then it is not suitable for any age group. If it is right, then the above state possibility exists, as well as many others. And for emphasis let me reitterate that the answer to this question must be sought in terms of the absolute.Now before you begin by saying I am begging the question, let me just go ahead and tell you that I probably am. But please see that I am doing so to ensure this discussion stays on track and doesn't fly off into some wild left field tangent. I have several things I would like to say about the matter from my perspective. However, I want to make sure there is a desire to pursue this question in a logical and orderly manner first.Nuff said. As always, I am very interested in any response to what I have put forth.Russ

Thanks - I was just about to post to remind people about the topic at hand.I didn't ask the question to get an absolute answer - more to have people discuss the merits and flaws of religious preaching.

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So then, personal distates, or tastes, for preaching or evangelistic efforts can not be any kind of measurement of rightness or wrongness. Neither can examples that are overwhelmingly negative (or positive for that matter) because they, individually, do nor make an accurate representation of the whole.

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So, we can't use our own experiences? Fair enough. I hope everyone can agree with this.I don't really agree with preaching in general. If people are interested in something then they should have the choice to seek it out for themselves, instead of having it forced upon them. This goes for more than just religion - in school I was forced to do subjects I disliked, instead of others that I enjoyed. (Yes, I know I'm using personal experiences - it's just to illustrate the point. I am not offering it as evidence.)Children are a special case, however, because frequently they are not mentally mature enough to make their own decisions regarding religion. I'm not sure if they should be considered in this discussion.The Rock Hound

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I didn't ask the question to get an absolute answer

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It seems to me that any kind of answer to the question that is not absolute will bring no resolution of the issue. Would that not just be everyone standing around giving their opinion? I know that really is the purpose behind a discussion board. However there should be some measure of objectivity to it. Especially when the Bible claims that God is always right and never wrong, and that preaching is actually commanded in the Bible. So it seems preaching is either right or wrong, as opposed to both/and.Having said this let me deal with one other matter.

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So, we can't use our own experiences?

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I stated that to exclude the possibility of someone passing on an idea as truth simply because of an experience of their own. One of the rules of logic (at least under the teacher I had) was "nothing is true simply because another person says it is." And the base thought is this: You had an experience? I was not there to have that experience, so I can neither validate, nor invalidate that experience.I will say now, in case it is not clear, that I will be representing the position that preaching is right. Though I must qualify that with "when the right message is being preached in the right way." I am not so interested in "pontificating" about my position, but rather dealing with any questions and seeming inconsistencies between the divine rightness of preaching and the way it is carried out. I am not very interested in name-calling, insults, or posts that are really just attacks, cuz ad hominem just aint cool. If my approach to this discussion is different than from what you originally intended, please let me know and I will be sure to change my approach or stay out of the way.Russ

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Do the colleges that try to recruit you:

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Comdemn you to hell if you do not join them?

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Yes.Okay, just a little bit of humor.I don't know about other "Christians," but I do not "condemn" people. Now, in an appropriate situation (i.e. if someone asks, if someone is willing to listen) I will share what I believe to be the truth with them. This does include the belief that those who do not accept Christ are, according to Scripture, destined for Hell (Romans 3:23, 6:23). It is important to keep in mind, though, that I am in no position to make a judgment call on someone's salvation. For this reason, I will never say, "You are going to Hell", but instead say, "Those who do not. . .will go to Hell" (again quoting Scripture, but using a more implicit approach).

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Blame most of societies decline on homosexuals?
Condemn you for having sex if you are not married?
Do they say that all other colleges are evil?
Have these colleges sytematically tried to eradicate an entire nation from the face of the Earth?
Have these colleges committed some of the most atrcocious crimes against humanity?
Do these colleges ask you to attack and possibly even kill some medical practioners?
Do these colleges tell you that some children's books are evil?
Do these colleges condemn single parents?
Do they tell you that certain types of music and the people who perform it are evil?
Do these colleges promote sexual inequality?
Do they promote racism?

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I realize that there are some truly mean-spirited, hateful people out there who consider themselves Christians. It is unfortunate that you have had to come into contact with some. These types of things are unacceptable and are the main reason I try to distance myself from the term "Christian."

Ouch You have no right to talk about Evolution man that way. He who claims to be a fool... This could be why I dont buy any of your 'other' facts. Think about it. But why not , indoctrination of facts surely ? LOL, yeah it conveniently chooses to avoid areas where it holds no ground ! I hope you dont consider 3 years of high school biology a scientific background

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LOL, yeah it conveniently chooses to avoid areas where it holds no ground !

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And how come the theory of evolution doesn't include any delicious recipes for strawberry shortcake? It's because the evolutionists know that delicious strawberry shortcake is the hole in their little religion!Evolution cannot account for delicious strawberry shortcake!

For God's sake be careful, Dan. He's using smilies!------------------
The dark nursery of evolution is very dark indeed.
Brad McFall

LOL, What on earth is 'evolution man'! To 'have' been a fool is more accurate, some of us can escape the delusion I don't have to think about it, you are a typical Xian, you only see what you want to see. If you are unaware of missionaries exploiting situations then you need to get your head out of the sand. Jeezus, I even qualified my statement, in my statement! LOL but it is not the study of the origins of life, this is like complaining because potato farmers do not tell you how to grow oranges. Well I was being sarcastic, however: You conveniently forgot to mention how ' a lot of research on evolution' made you rethink your position. I think maybe you should go back to being an evolutionist because you are rejecting it without knowing exaclty what it is.Maybe you can tell us a defintion of evolution from your intensive research?Since we are drifting off topic here, I will open a new thread entitled, 'a creationists definition of evolution', you can inform everyone there of what your definition of evolution is. You should be able to tie me in knots as I have had no scoentific traning at all, not even a subscription to New Scientist!Brian.

Dunno.. he's a very mythical figure I believed in I dont even know what an Xian is! I know what a Christian is. I am a typical Christian ?PS: Only the pure of heart can see God. That might have been what was missing from your days as a Christian. But then you admitted to being a fool and liar. How you are still surprised you didn't find God I understand not. Hehe, you sound like a farmer that plants potatoes, big and small, round and odd shaped, then exclaims 'See , there is no GOD!' You still fail to explain where the seed came from, but heck that is not important!PS: Evolutionary theory would not have to disagree with my beliefs, I just dont happen to believe in it. Could never understand why there were 2 different theories for avian evolution, afterall surely it must be obvious ? I think you can find one on google. Beware, you might find more than one! Search for 'definition evolution' Hehe, knock yourself out! I've learn't a long while ago there is no budging on evolutionary theory on these forums! Sorry to dissapoint you !Z

Oh you haven't disappointed me in the least, in fact you have made my day.A good days evangelising on your part, you have just confirmed an outcome that probably every atheist reading this thread would have predicted, nice one! Take care of yourself.Brian.[This message has been edited by Brian, 11-18-2003]

I aim to please Click on my name and try see the last time I discussed any matters of evolution on these forums... should I change that just for you ? I always do.stay wellZ [/qs]

I was just curious about something. It seems as though the ad hominem attacks have come to a conclusion. Does this mean we can once again pursue the originally intended discourse of this thread?In case anyone forgot in all the clamour, it was:

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Is preaching right or wrong?

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RussP.s. - Excuse my seeming impudence, but it is rule #1.

I don't necessarily think preaching is wrong as long as they respect the persons right to decline. For instance, I find nothing wrong with Jehova's Witness's coming to my door and saying, "Have you heard Good News of Christ?" I usually say I'm not interested.But street preachers really piss me off. Outside my school library there is always a group of preachers screaming about how all us college students are sinners and how he knows all the right answers. When faith is trotted as certitude, it begins to be more than annoying.JustinC