Do you ever feel like people try to control you to get you to believe what they want you to believe? Whether they be pastors, fellow believers, associates, friends, etc...
Do you ever feel others try to manipulate you either by critisizing or marginalizing your viewpoint, or by trying to hold some perceived intellectual insight over your head?
Have you ever shared something intimate and personal with someone only for them to turn around and use it to try and manipulate you into their cause?
Do you ever feel forced, cohearsed or manipulated to do something that you are not personally inclined or have decided to do on your own?
Have you ever been guilty of manipulating or trying to control others?
I know I have and I truly regret it.
The big question here is what role does control have in Christianity?
Is it ever permissible to try and control or manipulate others into our way of thinking?
My answer is absolutely not!
Christianity is an invitation into relationship with God. Our job is to present the invitation, not be like Hagar and try to do God's work for Him by getting people to believe or follow.
It robs and devalues people on a very fundamental level and it destroys trust and meaningful, intimate relationships.
One of the major reasons I believe there is a huge backlash against Evangelical Christianity is because so many ministers have used witchcraft (AKA: control and manipulation) in the name of winning people to the Christian faith. I think society is catching on to this and I think the falling away from these systems of control and manipulation that run under the banner of the Christian faith are spots on our love feasts and I am exceedingly pleased to see them go (they can't get out of the door quick enough). I also deeply regret the times I have taken part in such practices.
What are your thoughts on this?
(Personal prayer: God help me to live and share your message of love that you died to give to each one of us so we could all freely choose to accept it.)
