What Kind of Preacher are You????
By bird123
@bird123 (10632)
United States
May 12, 2012 12:15am CST
Have you ever had anyone push their religion on you? Does it seem these people are knocking on your door everyday? If you are one of these preachers, can you see when you aren't welcome?? If you insist and insist, is that really considered preaching??
On top of nagging, these preachers use many other tactics. Some use the threat of Hell, trying to convince you that you need saving. Some preachers tell you how bad the world is, making many feel guilty of some sort. Preachers can be condemning and judgmental. I have seen many get angry when they can't convert a person. Have any of you ever gotten angry??
Some think it's our goal to convert or control others. When that doesn't happen, look out! Ask an atheist how much heat they get just saying no. The truth is only religion wants you to convert others. The more followers they get, the better.
It's always been easy to talk and preach to others, feeling righteous and feeling you are doing others a favor. Are you really?? I find people in general can judge pretty good for themselves. They can choose what is best for them.
Actions speak louder than words. Instead of preaching, LIVE IT!!!! Give Love and Kindness to everyone you meet. Help those you can and encourage those you can't. If you do this, you will discover that you will shape more souls toward God and Goodness than all the preaching in the world. People see you and learn.
Now, bird, it seems you have the view that all preachers are bad. No, that is not the case. There are great preachers and great teachers in this world. Even though I can not agree with all those holy books and their stories, these people can teach great lessons.
I knew this one Methodist preacher in my youth. This man was so mild mannered. He never got angry. He gave love and kindness to everyone. His sermons never condemned. Instead of preaching evil and hate, he stressed the goodness, love and kindness of God and people. I remember telling myself. I want to be just like this man. I had never met such a man before.
All the preaching in the world did not have as much influence as this man's simple actions of love and kindness. You know, we all can do the very same thing. LIVE IT! Then you won't have to preach it. We can do this simply because we do have the power to Choose our own actions regardless of what others do.
So what kind of preacher will you choose to be? LIVE IT or nag??
1 person likes this
12 responses
@vandana7 (98826)
• India
12 May 12
I hate talking religion in real life. It is because I am in unsure territory. I have so many questions that are unanswered. I am afraid I wont have answers if a smart kid asks me something about them. I wonder if I would be able to come up with a plausible explanation or resort to egoistic pronouncements like you will go to hell or wherever..lol.
I think you know me long enough to know that I seek god differently from people of religion. I did use religion as the ladder. But now that I feel enlightened in a way I prefer to leave other things behind and seek god as loving parent rather than some book keeper. :)
1 person likes this
@bird123 (10632)
• United States
12 May 12
Vandy, Sometimes those who claim to know it all have fewer Real answers in reality. The true view can sometimes be hidden in the most unexpected places. Everyone holds pieces of the picture. Status or class have no importance to that. Interaction with those around us adds to our view.
You are right. God is not a bookkeeper. God loves us all as a Parent. If anyone claims to have all the answers about God, they just limit themselves to only what they want to be true.The Knowledge of God is limitless from our true point of view. There is always more to learn. Those who hunger for truth then search to discover will find true answers over anyone who simply memorizes holy books. We are meant to Think.
I know it's important to everyone not to appear stupid when questions are asked of us. It's our Ego trying to save face, however we are all intelligent at our level of understanding. The most important thing is to strive to acquire more knowledge. When someone asks a very hard question, return a question to them. What do you think? People love to give their view. Sometimes when two views come together a new view is discovered. There is always the valid response. I'm not sure. I'm still working on that answer.
Vandy, I do find you intelligence with very good reason capabilities. Don't listen to any peanut gallery making comments. They care more about your reaction than what you really think.
All mankind carry a limited view. We must widen our view and open our minds for there is so much we will be missing otherwise. We must never limit our view of God to one source such as any holy book. God has answers all around us at multiple levels with multiple views just waiting for those ready to discover. It is up to each of us to choose what we want to discover. Me? I want to discover it all!!
@maidangela7349 (1191)
•
13 May 12
We do get a Jehovah Witness come to the door no and again but he is very pleasant and soon goes away when you ask him an awkward question about the bible
1 person likes this
@bestboy19 (5478)
• United States
14 May 12
“…he (Methodist preacher) stressed the goodness, love and kindness of God…" What was his proof that God is good, kind and loving? How did he verify it?
“I remember telling myself. I want to be just like this man.” Have you accomplished that goal?
@bestboy19 (5478)
• United States
15 May 12
How can I answer that question? I don't know your Methodist preacher. How do you think you're doing, based on your knowledge of him?
I noticed you avoided my first questions.
@bird123 (10632)
• United States
15 May 12
You tell me bestboy. How am I doing?? Of course, you must not hold against a person who places truth in the world. I am learning from God that it is an act of love to place truth in the world especially when those who do not want to hear truth cause lots of Drama.
@matersfish (6306)
• United States
12 May 12
In my life, myLot is probably the only place where I have religious discussions. My friends and my brothers and me might all kick around the flat football from time to time, but I don't "preach" anything outside of giving my opinions.
But I have had plenty of people push their religion on me before!
My uncle was a Baptist preacher, so it started from a very early age. My babysitter's son was also a (despicable) so-called man of god. He preached constantly. Throughout school, I would always run across at least one teacher a year (I thank their god it wasn't more lol) who found it important to add religious philosophy to geology and biology and chemistry and such. Not part of the curriculum; always just an aside: "But God said..." and that type of stuff.
So, yeah, I've definitely dealt with the nagging.
I think that's perfectly fine for the proper forum, such as myLot. Anyone is more than welcome to reject or accept any reality they choose. It's in the real world where I find this to be annoying and threatening.
Organized religion is a business. A disgusting business. So I agree with you that believers shouldn't be taking their inclinations from these institutions whose sole purpose is to grow. Believers should live it.
But over the past couple of years I've been evolving in my opinion about whom should teach children. Teaching your own children religious philosophy is fine. And if a parent chooses to take their children to whatever type of church they want, I in no way attempt to stand in their way. But faith should be personal. I don't like the idea that it's "taught" to begin with.
1 person likes this
@bird123 (10632)
• United States
12 May 12
matersfish. Your quote: But faith should be personal. I don't like the idea that it's "taught" to begin with. My answer: VERY GOOD! God should be discovered not taught. Children's view of God is limited by the teachings if they even discover the Real God at all. Further, the idea of accepting and following teaches people not to even attempt to discover the truth on their own. Yes,this is the evil part of religion that they don't even realize they are doing. It's sad.
I want to preach about anger, hate and selfishness. I will preach about love and kindness in my next life.@bird123 (10632)
• United States
12 May 12
iuliuxd. So you claim I am the worst preacher. Hmmm? My attempt is to do like God does. Place the truth into the world then allow people to discover for themselves. I make no demands of any kind. If you notice, I won't give all the answers. Discovery is an important part. I do my best to give Love and Kindness. Everyone is welcome and comment freely. Now if reality does not match anyone else's beliefs, well that merely points a direction by which discovery is possible.
Lotterylover. You are right. One can never go wrong with Love and Kindness!!
@samar54 (2454)
• Egypt
12 May 12
lotterylover
Yes, you will be another life in the Hereafter is eternal life, this time , your next choice the right way to enjoy them .. The most important thing to worship the one God who is not born nor his partner ..Because God will forgive everything except shirk Him. God bless and guide us all to the way
@vandana7 (98826)
• India
13 May 12
Samar - I will return with loads of arguments..today I had a discussion in mind - a very sad one...about caste system in our country..but then..I am going to spend some time with you to glean whatever you know and as bird said - everybody has some pieces. If you have a piece I dont, I would be glad to add it to my set. First, however, I must dine. My stomach does not obey me. :)
@vandana7 (98826)
• India
14 May 12
I think every religion has something positive in it. It is the way we look at it that transforms good to bad and vice versa.
I admit I have read neither the quoranic verses nor bible. I have a brief introduction to bible and books of my religion. Obviously I am more aware of my religious scriptures. However, I am drawn more towards to Buddhism. :)
@6precious102 (4043)
• United States
12 May 12
I thing preachers in the Christian faith have a duty to tell the truth even when their audience doesn't like what they're hearing. While everyone would be content to just hear about the love of God, they also need to know that God is a righteous judge, and the day will come when we will stand before God, our Judge.
Live your life as Jesus taught and tell the truth.
@6precious102 (4043)
• United States
13 May 12
Ah, but is it truth that they are telling or is it merely Beliefs???? -- If the preacher is teaching the Word of God, he's telling the truth.
Pushing any Beliefs lately?? -- I can back up my "beliefs" with evidence that proves that what I believe is the truth. Where's your evidence?
If you really knew and understood God, the hate,threats,blame, condemning and making some more valuable than others would be gone. -- So you want to be like that Methodist preacher. You have a poor showing. Your accusations of me are false. I wouldn't tell people how to be saved from hell if I hated anyone. I don't threaten anyone. I warn them that hell does exist. In what way do I blame or condemn? Since I've told the readers that God's gift of salvation is for everyone who will accept it, how is that making some more valuable than others?
Satan: Adversary. He's called that because he opposes God.
Devil: slanderous, false accuser.
Slander: false and damaging utterance about a person.
False Accuser: one who deceitfully charges.
One can recite holy books claiming that is God or one can discover God for themselves. Which will you choose??? -- But one could not find evidence for the authenticity of the Bible if it didn't exist. Yet that evidence has been discovered by many different researchers in many different fields of study. Therefore, I'll continue to trust and put my faith in the Bible and those preachers who teach from the Bible. I choose God and His Word. Who will you choose and why?
If your goal is really to save souls rather than just spread your beliefs,have you considered the souls that you lose because you pressure your beliefs on them?? Hmmm??? -- Do you feel pressured? I stress the truth and evidence for the truth because it's a matter of eternity. Hell does exist and I wouldn't wish an eternity of hell on anyone. If people would read and study the Bible, particularly with a good Bible teacher, they'd learn just how dearly they are loved by God, and what He sacrificed for their salvation. Salvation was not cheap. It meant Jesus' crucifixion. If someone is willing to die for you, that's love.
These two websites describe crucifixion:
www.sitski.com/crucifixion.htm
www.konnections.com/kcundick/crucifix.html
Something to think about. Maybe you would win more souls living the Love and Kindness that God is noted for in all religions. -- Since I'm telling people about the love of God and what He did to save them from hell, I think I'm showing them a lot of love.
@bird123 (10632)
• United States
13 May 12
Ah, but is it truth that they are telling or is it merely Beliefs???? Pushing any Beliefs lately??
If you really knew and understood God, the hate,threats,blame, condemning and making some more valuable than others would be gone. Yes, God makes it all work out without all those petty things mankind holds so dear.
One can recite holy books claiming that is God or one can discover God for themselves. Which will you choose???
One final question for you to think about. If your goal is really to save souls rather than just spread your beliefs,have you considered the souls that you lose because you pressure your beliefs on them?? Hmmm??? Something to think about. Maybe you would win more souls living the Love and Kindness that God is noted for in all religions.
Think about that!!
@matersfish (6306)
• United States
13 May 12
You found evidence!?!?! I've had my discussion open for a while waiting for some.
@starsailover (7829)
• Mexico
12 May 12
Hi bird: Thanks for your message. I have felt this same way as you and I have seen these preacher using all these tactics on me. It's annoying and I think they are not sending the right message. They look like fundamentalists and intolerant acting this way.
I am not a preacher. I am looking for my own truth but at the same time I know that my way is not necessary the best way or the one every person must follows. I prefer to touch the souls of the people around me with my action.s
ALVARO
@bird123 (10632)
• United States
12 May 12
Yes. we all do touch the souls around us. Those of us who realize this, can work to be sure it is always in a positive way. This might not always be possibly, however we learn to do better with each of our steps. As long as we maintain goodness as our goal, we will be headed in the right direction.
@jennyze (7029)
• Indonesia
14 May 12
What is a preacher? If I am facing one, I would think of him/her as just being too sure of themselves and never really did what they told people to do. So, I would get away from them, so I don't get to know any of them...
You can give me advice, you can give me solution, you can give me speech, but you cannot push me to do what you think is best... I am blessed with a brain, so thank you I will use my own brain to think the best way to live...
You can give me advice, you can give me solution, you can give me speech, but you cannot push me to do what you think is best... I am blessed with a brain, so thank you I will use my own brain to think the best way to live...
@almond24 (1248)
• Hungary
12 May 12
I meet so many people, too, who try to save my soul from the hell. I wonder whom they do a favor, probably not for most of us, by doing this. I wonder why people from one religion try to convert others from other religion, or convince those who have their own philosophy, why keep arguing and fighting about things, while talking about peace and heaven.
We are all different, so I don't understand why would I have to think and feel exactly the way others tell me to. When I tell them that we are talking about the same thing, they agree, but as they keep preaching it becomes clear that they didn't mean it.
@bird123 (10632)
• United States
12 May 12
Yes, the diversity in this world is important. God gave everyone a different view to guaranty mankind a larger view than any one person could have. If everyone was brainwashed or taught to only have one view, the truth and knowledge factor would decrease.
You do make a good comment about those preachers who talk but don't listen. They expect everyone else to listen yet they never hear a word. They can see only one thing, their religion.
There are lots of things all religions have in common. If they shared this, they would discover the Real God much quicker.
1 person likes this
@JER616 (545)
• Philippines
13 May 12
I hope you can find other preachers worth following and listening. For one, I recommend Bro. Eliseo Soriano of the Church of God International. He is a worldwide evangelist in his own rite. You can freely ask him questions on faith and receive Bible-based answers that can truly make you think and consider. He has a television program "Ang Dating Daan" (The Old Path) which is aired on practically over all continent.
@JER616 (545)
• Philippines
17 May 12
Why not ask them yourself? Many have tried asking him tough questions and they did not go home unsatisfied.
You may want to visit his site and follow him in his Bible Exposition activities.
http://www.elisoriano.com/category/blog/
http://esoriano.wordpress.com/
http://www.truthcaster.com/
Mind you I am not crazy about him. I am proud and am thanking God for having him as preacher. See for yourself why.
