Can the way you protray religion be making you a tool of satan?

United States
December 6, 2010 3:06pm CST
ok this is an idea that popped into my head long time ago and not meant to be offensive to any religion etc. for the people that are overboard in pushing their religion onto others (not people that just talk but people that seriously harass others) really Christians? or are they really satans helpers in turning people away from Christianity? i mean if people are turned off by the antics of this person that is harassing everyone with that particular religion he isnt helping his religion he is making it look bad so i have to almost wonder if that person realizes he is getting the opposite affect.. i was stuck in a situation where i was put in a group with a fanatic that knew i wasnt religious and seriously came after me harassing me to the point he had to be kept away from me and was almost completely kicked out of the group. i wasnt bothered if he had just talked about it and then thats it when he reaized i wasnt interested but he would follow me around screaming scriptures to me and others that didnt like it and burst into song etc ANYTHING to get attention and he said he was a prophet and i swear he quoted every passage wrong he read (i grew up religious and have read almost all the bible once except revelations) to me you should just be who you are and if asked say what you believe and if its meant to witness then they will come to you.. not chase people around screaming.. it was then that i realized there was no way any good could come out of his "witnessing" because his strategy AND misquoting etc and that if anything he was pushing people away which would make him more of a tool for satan than a prophet of god.. like i said at the beginning im not bashing any religion but that was the example i had.. i respect all religions and hope that others do the same but i do not believe harassment is ok and of god.. what are your views? do you think that the people that go to the point of harassment do any good for their religion? do you think they are really religious or just all show? do you think that they are really being used to do the opposite and drive people away in a sneaky fashion? do you have examples of this type thing with different religions? and since we are all here from different walks and different religions please everyone be respectful.. i hope i was able to be in this discussion because i do not mean to start a fight or disrespect anyone's beliefs but would like to know what people think about this..
3 people like this
5 responses
@1hopefulman (45111)
• Canada
6 Dec 10
Every religion has some fanatics. What can you do? They don't have the intelligence to understand what they are doing. I'm sure not everyone in that religion is the same. We just have to let them be.
2 people like this
• United States
6 Dec 10
yeah i personally know that there are always some that are like that in every religion but if they are that way around people unfamiliar with that religion etc it may be what stays in their mind as an example.. depending on the person they may be open minded and think they all cant be that way or maybe not..
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45111)
• Canada
7 Dec 10
They are doing more harm for their cause then good but like I said, what can one do? I know I don't want to be like that. I also feel very strong about my beliefs but allow others they choice. I want to be like the sun, warm and bright and let whoever wishes come and bask in the sunshine if they wish. Have a great day!
2 people like this
• United States
7 Dec 10
i am the type that can be friends with anyone as long as there is respect between us both including religion
1 person likes this
@peavey (16936)
• United States
7 Dec 10
I am familiar with the type and I agree that they do more harm than good. I think part of it is that they really don't realize how they come across and they're so intent on "witnessing" that they don't see that the opposite is happening. It's sad, because they could do much good.
2 people like this
• United States
7 Dec 10
it seems like some people that end up fanatical are people that usually dont fit in anywhere and arent good at a lot of things so they find religion and its something accepting and they can be good at by knowing everything about it.. as sad as that sounds
1 person likes this
• Canada
7 Dec 10
A similar thing happened to me with my step-daughter. She would get on my case from any angle about religion. I knew she was ultra-religious, and she knew I was ultra-liberal, and originally we agreed to disagree, and then one day she and her mother (Hubby's nutty second wife!!!) just started in on me, and we had to knock them both out of our lives in order to get the $h!t to stop falling.
1 person likes this
• United States
11 Jan 11
ugh that sucks.. ive got a few people ive had to block out.. yet they somehow still find a way to get to me through other people or me catching them stalking me online grr
@webearn99 (1742)
• India
7 Dec 10
This generally happens with people who go by the letter, but not by spirit. People who have studied the scriptures but have not understood them. They seem to have this "Holier than thou" attitude and try to "Reform" all the people they meet. The deal out sermons at will whether you like it or not! They are insane. Further on this lack of sanity goes on to fundamentalism where they torture themselves and others. I think they are an example of what a religion is not. Religion is all about understanding, compassion and choice. That should be made clear to them by every means available and acceptable.
1 person likes this
• United States
11 Jan 11
but its like no matter what they dont get that they are wrong or are pushing people away.. i wonder if any of them figure it out that they are just being nuts about it
@sender621 (14889)
• United States
7 Dec 10
I think our faith and what we believe in our religions portrays a lot about us. It can lead us to paths of righteousness or destruction. How we perceive our ideas in religion could certainly become a tool for Satan's works.
• United States
11 Jan 11
scary thing is the people that have it all so wrong seem to have no idea about it