Should I protest or let them be?

[intricatic]

If you had a Christian worship night in that same public park, would you like a bunch of witches screaming in protest and waving signs around while you are trying to worship God?

I'd break out the Holy Water and Holy Fire Hose and spray down the masses.

 

[OD3]

Respect for other peoples beliefs is paramount. My gripe with "organised religion" is that instead of bringing people together, it segregates us.

Could most of you be best friends with a muslim? or a buddhist? or even a athiest?

I think its wrong to protest against other peoples beliefs. and its wrong for them to protest against yours.

Its the No1 cause of death and hatred in this world today. religions that dont like each other. Turn on the news, and tell me it isnt true.

 

[intricatic]

Respect for other peoples beliefs is paramount. My gripe with "organised religion" is that instead of bringing people together, it segregates us.

I disagree entirely. I have no respect for other religions that have been proven to me to be utterly false. I refuse to consider that worshiping an invisible pink unicorn is tantamount to a rational religion.

Could most of you be best friends with a muslim? or a buddhist? or even a athiest?

Yes, but I'd imagine they wouldn't like me much, considering I read the Bible so often and have obvious biases against the theologies of Islam, the philosophies of Buddhism, and the various offshoots of secular philosophy. When it comes to friends, I enjoy hanging out with people I can discuss things that are on my mind with. I don't take it personally that not everyone is a Christian, or that this might spark disagreement, but it would depend entirely on how they felt about this scenario.

I think its wrong to protest against other peoples beliefs. and its wrong for them to protest against yours.

Its the No1 cause of death and hatred in this world today. religions that dont like each other. Turn on the news, and tell me it isnt true.

Actually, I think the No1 cause of death and hatred in the world today would be politics.

 

[OD3]

I disagree entirely. I have no respect for other religions that have been proven to me to be utterly false. I refuse to consider that worshiping an invisible pink unicorn is tantamount to a rational religion.


Yes, but I'd imagine they wouldn't like me much, considering I read the Bible so often and have obvious biases against the theologies of Islam, the philosophies of Buddhism, and the various offshoots of secular philosophy. When it comes to friends, I enjoy hanging out with people I can discuss things that are on my mind with. I don't take it personally that not everyone is a Christian, or that this might spark disagreement, but it would depend entirely on how they felt about this scenario.


Actually, I think the No1 cause of death and hatred in the world today would be politics.

Politics and religion go hand-in-hand now.

Bush invaded Iraq because "God Told him too"

They are fighting in the middle east about "Holy Land".

Its all connected.

 

[Bernergirl]

Politics and religion go hand-in-hand now.

Unfortunately, they always have. It is very hard for man to separate his beliefs from his political agenda.

Bush invaded Iraq because "God Told him too"

Now, I don't know whether God actually told him to or not... after all, who am I to attempt to discern the movements of the Holy One? But I highly doubt that is the reason he's doin' it.

 

[OD3]

I doubt God wanted all that oil.

 

[intricatic]

Politics and religion go hand-in-hand now.

Bush invaded Iraq because "God Told him too"

Incorrect. Politicians use religion at times to justify their actions, or to excuse their abuse of power.

They are fighting in the middle east about "Holy Land".

Its all connected.

Correct. But this is not relevant to any actual religion, unless you consider the suicide bombers in Islam to be a good representation of what Islamic theology teaches.

 

[intricatic]

I doubt God wanted all that oil.

Correct. God has no use for oil.

Faulty representation of the facts. This has nothing to do with the topic being discussed except, perhaps, to prove my point.

 

[NHB_MMA]

You won't convince anyone by doing anything abrasive. Maybe you should just look for curious onlookers and try to talk to them about the gospel.

 

[Bernergirl]

I still put my vote in for providing cider and hot cocoa.

 

[imind]

I refuse to consider that worshiping an invisible pink unicorn is tantamount to a rational religion.

and i had just purchased a new irony meter...

i think the cider and chocolate idea brilliant and entirely in line with christ.

 

[Bernergirl]

Whatever you do, can you post to let us know how it goes? We're all on the edge of our seats here.

 

[PastorJim]

By "protest", do you mean picket? I don't think that would be such a hot idea for a couple of reasons.

The first is that that is essentially a political act and this is a spiritual issue, not a political one. It's a good way to tell people what you're against, but telling people what you're against doesn't do any good if they don't know what you're for.

The second reason is that you may change someone's mind, but what you want to do is put them in a position for God to change their heart and that isn't something you can do by chanting a slogan. You need to reach the individual.

When Paul went to Mars Hill, he didn't protest or picket. He didn't even try to dissuade them from their religion.

What did he say? He said (and this is pretty loosely paraphrased), "Hey, I see that you guys are into spiritual things. That's great. Let's talk about that." And he used their well meaning (albeit, misguided) zeal for their religion as an opportunity to share the truth of Christ with them.

You have about one month to prepare. If it were me, the very first thing I would do is to pray about it. Pray that God will open your heart to what He wants you to do and that He would empower you with the Holy Spirit to speak clearly and boldly. Then, I would pray over the event and even go out to the park and pray over the park.

I would study up on pagan/wiccan/new age beliefs and what scripture says about them, so that you'll be able to answer objections, should they arise.

Of course, the best way to answer objections is to know the Bible.

Above all, remember that you're not going there to refute their religion, but to share Christ.

Sharing Christ is easy. All it is is presenting man's sinfulness, his need for a Savior, and finding that Savior in the person of Jesus Christ.

I've been a Christian now for about twenty years and I've shared the Gospel with people in every conceivable way. About a year ago, somebody turned me on to Ray Comfort and Way of the Master.

The way they teach you to share the Gospel is so easy, you'll say, "I can't believe I never thought of that". But the reason I like it is because it's straight to the point. It doesn't give them an opportunity to go down any rabbit trails or to derail the conversation.

It puts their sinfulness right on the table and makes them have to confront it and then gives you an opportunity to tell them about Jesus.

Here is an example I posted on another board ((and, yes, it really did happen this way)):

He was wearing a Beatles' t-shirt and so we started talking. I'll spare you the small talk and pick up where we started talking about the death of George Harrson (my answers in bold):



And it really is just that easy.

If you have a few minutes, take a look at these video clips. I really think they'll help you. "Seal Beach Kid" and the one with the punk girl are my two favorites.

You might also want to check out wayofthemasterradio.com and They go out on the street every day to share the Gospel and listening to them has been a big encouragement to me.

Also, go to http://www.adventuresinchristianity.com/ It has audio of real life witnessing encounters that are just fantastic.

Above all, when witnessing, be sure to remember two things: (1) It isn't personal. Don't get upset or discouraged if they reject it. (2) Don't be discouraged if you don't see great results. Your job is not to save anybody. Your job is only to present man's sinfulness and need for a savior, and that savior in the person of Jesus Christ. Remember, even if it seems like you're not making any progress, you may be planting countless seeds for someone else to harvest.

http://www.wayofthemaster.com/watchwitnessing.shtml

Great advice, Mike.

 

[tulc]

Great advice, Mike.

I agree! Isn't MikeMcK cool?!
tulc(doesn't always agree with him, but loves having him around CF!)

 

[Gukkor]

Treat their religious gathering in the way that you would want a Christian gathering treated. With respect. You don't have to believe what they do (obviously), and you don't have to like the fact that they believe it, but you must respect their beliefs, for if you lack respect for their beliefs, they will lack respect for yours and you will only make things worse. Talking to them about how they're "flaunting their godlessness," for example, probably wouldn't be the best start.

If you do say something, I'd read up on paganism first. In my experience and from my research, most of them aren't atheistic.

 

[MadJack]

Thanks for the wonderful advice and of course differing veiws. Haven't been around due to computer shopping..mine blew up. I agree with the cider and coco idea! I was thinking about hanging out near the event and talking to people about God and Christianity. I did talk to the event organizer and it turns out that this is strictly a pagan thing. But we are going to set up a small table close by, have vollyball and music and a cookout. If people want to hang out and talk about God, they're welcome to. We are even talking about having our own event the day before or after.

I have done some research on pagans and wiccans and I keep getting conflicting stuff. I'll keep more intouch as the day gets closer.

Jack

 

[Bernergirl]

Lord, please send your Spirit to help this person as he tries to do Your will and show the love of You to the people who will be going to this festival. Help Your servant accomplish Your will, Jesus, and lead him, please. In Your name I pray, Lord Jesus. Amen.

 

[Gukkor]

Thanks for the wonderful advice and of course differing veiws. Haven't been around due to computer shopping..mine blew up. I agree with the cider and coco idea! I was thinking about hanging out near the event and talking to people about God and Christianity. I did talk to the event organizer and it turns out that this is strictly a pagan thing. But we are going to set up a small table close by, have vollyball and music and a cookout. If people want to hang out and talk about God, they're welcome to. We are even talking about having our own event the day before or after.

I have done some research on pagans and wiccans and I keep getting conflicting stuff. I'll keep more intouch as the day gets closer.

Jack

That would probably be because there are as many different forms of paganism as there are denominations of Christianity. Wicca, Asatru, Kemetism, Neo-Druidism, Shinto, Santeria...the list goes on. Unless you're focusing in on one particular pagan religion, it can be very difficult to get anywhere as far as research is concerned. You might start with Wicca, as they're easily the most common pagan group in America, and thus there's an abundance of information readily available on them.

 

[rita727]

Sprinkle holy water on them. Maybe they will melt away.

*reps*

 

[intricatic]

and i had just purchased a new irony meter...

So did I! It's been going off quite a bit tonight.