Non-Christians: What would you have done?

[mandelduke]

I had a bit of an ethical dilemma over the weekend. I don't have anything wrong with what I did, but I'm curious what others would have done.

So I was coming out of Wal-Mart (bigger ethical dilemma? lol I didn't buy anything!) and this guy asks me if I want to donate to his charity. It was a Christian ministry that helps people get off of drugs and lead a clean life. Even though religion isn't my "thing" I can see how that would help a lot of people, so I proceeded to take out whatever cash I had.

Then he starts asking me if I'm a Christian, to which I said I used to be... Then he launches into some talk about how I'm in luck and can convert back again today, then hands me a standard tract. I was suddenly put off by the whole thing, and really didn't agree with what he was trying to do. I told him that I'd be back later (a lie, but I'm terrible at getting out of weird social situations) because I didn't have a lot of money. He asked me why I changed my mind, because I was about to give. I could have just said he was putting me off, but I really just wanted to get out of there. So I said that I really needed to pay off some bills first (this is a tacky thing to say, but it's totally true. I'm a starving college student and every little bit helps me.) He finally let me go and I went on my way.

Even though the charity was to help other people, I just couldn't bring myself to give to someone who was proselytizing to me. I felt it was disrespectful as I'm quite happy as a nonbeliever. I still believe in the cause, but maybe I could research other charities when I'm in a better place to give. I know I can do whatever I want with my money, but...

Would you have given to the seemingly noble charity, even if the person representing them was trying to convert you? Would it have put you off too?

Only if it were Girl Scout mommy’s selling cookies!

 

[Mythunderstood]

Originally Posted by Mythunderstood

Just out of curiosity, would you ask this question of someone who is Hindu?
​

No. She said she was enjoying being a believer of nothing, so that is why I asked.

I don't see where she said that she believed in nothing. She said that she was an unbeliever, which is referring to her unbelief in one specific thing....the existence of gods. Why would you ask an unbeliever "why would it bother you to lie," but not ask a Hindu, for example, the same question?

 

[mandelduke]

If it had been me in the OP's position, I would have looked the guy straight in the eye and asked him what his true intent was in being out there in front of Walmart - was it to raise money for the charity, or was that only a blind in order to give him an excuse to proselytize? I also would have told him "sorry, Mac, but I hold my own spiritual beliefs that are specific to me and my life experience (FYI the concept of "what is your intent?" is a big part of that), and I am quite secure in them, thank you very much."

It seems to me to be somebody in some type of rehab, that was concerned about the op’s life.

 

[toolmanjantzi]

I don't see where she said that she believed in nothing. She said that she was an unbeliever, which is referring to her unbelief in one specific thing....the existence of gods. Why would you ask an unbeliever "why would it bother you to lie," but not ask a Hindu, for example, the same question?

I don't believe in gods. A Hindu believes in gods.
She said she was an unbeliever and enjoying it. How can she enjoy it, when she needs to feel right about a choice that she made. Who makes her feel so bad about it, other then herself.

 

[dlamberth]

So your against Christianity but for Catholics. That is the most truthful yet absurd thing I have ever heard.

You basically said I will not support the use of gun powder just gun clubs.

I was looking a lot deeper than that...More along the lines of Matther 25:40 with no proselytizing, only Love and Compassion for those in need!! And looking at who is giving that kind of service to give my money to.

.

 

[toolmanjantzi]

I was looking a lot deeper than that...More along the lines of Matther 25:40 with no proselytizing, only Love and Compassion for those in need!! And looking at who is giving that kind of service to give my money to.

.

So the Catholics are not Christian but follow Matthew 25:40 by feeding those in need, but fail to fulfill the great commission therefore that is more loving.

I am confused. You see it to be more loving for a organization to feed your stomach then to feed your soul.

Regarding the OP, if she once was a Christian and is now an unbeliever; does she have a soul or not? Because if she has a soul then how did she come to the conclusion the man did not have good intentions by feeding her soul, as means to thank her for her donation. And if she does not have a soul, how was it offensive?

 

[elephunky]

Regarding the OP, if she once was a Christian and is now an unbeliever; does she have a soul or not? Because if she has a soul then how did she come to the conclusion the man did not have good intentions by feeding her soul, as means to thank her for her donation. And if she does not have a soul, how was it offensive?

What the....

 

[FrenchyBearpaw]

I don't believe in gods.
.

Father. Son. Holy Ghost. Which one is god, again?

 

[toolmanjantzi]

Father. Son. Holy Ghost. Which one is god, again?

I thought you confessed Jesus as Lord, one time.

You tell me.

 

[LoAmmi]

She said she was an unbeliever and enjoying it. How can she enjoy it, when she needs to feel right about a choice that she made. Who makes her feel so bad about it, other then herself.

The OP wasn't asking people to justify unbelief in your religion. The post was about donating to people who attempted to proselytize religion. It never said the poster felt bad about it.

Were I you, I would go back and read the original post without agenda and see what was actually being stated and what was being asked.

 

[toolmanjantzi]

The OP wasn't asking people to justify unbelief in your religion. The post was about donating to people who attempted to proselytize religion. It never said the poster felt bad about it.

Were I you, I would go back and read the original post without agenda and see what was actually being stated and what was being asked.

The Op was asking people to justify their choices against believers. Why ask?

 

[LoAmmi]

The Op was asking people to justify their choices against believers. Why ask?

That was not the point of the OP at all.

Is English your native tongue?

 

[dlamberth]

So the Catholics are not Christian but follow Matthew 25:40 by feeding those in need, but fail to fulfill the great commission therefore that is more loving.

Catholics are Christians, your saying that they are not, not I.

I feel it's more God like to help those in need with an open heart filled with Love and Compassion with no strings attached. That's what I look for in those whom I give money to. I also feel that being Love, Compassion and Service to those in need IS the Great Commission.

I am confused. You see it to be more loving for a organization to feed your stomach then to feed your soul.

When a person is down with nothing to eat and feeling like they have no hope, receiving food to eat IS feeding their soul. Conversely it's also feeding the soul of the person who is helping those in need.

Regarding the OP, if she once was a Christian and is now an unbeliever; does she have a soul or not? Because if she has a soul then how did she come to the conclusion the man did not have good intentions by feeding her soul, as means to thank her for her donation. And if she does not have a soul, how was it offensive?

For myself, to feed the soul of another is to be loving and compassionate to them. It's giving them a hearing ear, a giving heart, a loving presence, a helping hand.

.

 

[BruceDLimber]

Would you be allowed to give food or something else to a beggar? I've had people outside of a drug store ask me for aspirin or something like that.....

I wouldn't worry about something like an aspirin.

As to food, that could be possible though the overall point is that there already exist charitable organizations who feed people such that on-the-street begging of that sort shouldn't be necessary.

Indeed, Baha'is in the northwest US have run (and may still be running) a soup kitchen especially for migrant workers. And as I understand it, there's a half-hour gap between the time the food service ends and any mention of the Faith so that those who so choose can eat and leave without having to sit through the talk.

Peace,

Bruce

 

[dlamberth]

The Op was asking people to justify their choices against believers. Why ask?

Nope! That's not what the OP was asking. Not at all.

.

 

[FrenchyBearpaw]

That was not the point of the OP at all.

Is English your native tongue?

He's probably French Canadian.



FrenchyBearpaux

 

[Mythunderstood]

Originally Posted by Mythunderstood

I don't see where she said that she believed in nothing. She said that she was an unbeliever, which is referring to her unbelief in one specific thing....the existence of gods. Why would you ask an unbeliever "why would it bother you to lie," but not ask a Hindu, for example, the same question?
​

I don't believe in gods. A Hindu believes in gods.
She said she was an unbeliever and enjoying it. How can she enjoy it, when she needs to feel right about a choice that she made. Who makes her feel so bad about it, other then herself.

You still didn't answer my question. Why would you not ask a Hindu the same question?

 

[toolmanjantzi]

Catholics are Christians, your saying that they are not, not I.

I feel it's more God like to help those in need with an open heart filled with Love and Compassion with no strings attached. That's what I look for in those whom I give money to. I also feel that being Love, Compassion and Service to those in need IS the Great Commission.

When a person is down with nothing to eat and feeling like they have no hope, receiving food to eat IS feeding their soul. Conversely it's also feeding the soul of the person who is helping those in need.

For myself, to feed the soul of another is to be loving and compassionate to them. It's giving them a hearing ear, a giving heart, a loving presence, a helping hand.

.

And the man went wrong when he failed to say he was Catholic?

 

[dlamberth]

And the man went wrong when he failed to say he was Catholic?

I'm sorry, I have no idea what your talking about here. Could you clarify please?

.

 

[awitch]

And the man went wrong when he failed to say he was Catholic?

I believe the response would have been the same if he was Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, or any other religion if he started proselytizing.