17:41 Jul 19 2011
Times Read: 640
I read in DarknessBound's journal about a message she received on VR. A self-proclaimed evangelist is basically trying to win folks to Christ via spam. Wow.
The email begins like this (I'll spare you the rest because it's very long.) "I am writing to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ the only begotten son of God, and to tell you about the prayer of salvation. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have ever lasting life."
If you receive emails like this and hate them, please don't feel bad or guilty about that. She's right, in my opinion; it IS disrespectful. I am a Christian. I work in ministry. So why do I take offense? Because I want to model after Jesus, himself. In our Center, before we gather other information, we ASK people IF they would like to know about Jesus. Some people say no. We help them EXACTLY the same as those who say, "yes."
I don't remember Jesus sneaking uninvited into people's homes and stuffing his message into their uninterested minds. When he spoke, it was to crowds and followers who were interested. Even when he approached the fishermen who would become his disciples, he did so with respect. If Christ champions choice and relationship, why wouldn't Christians?
If this had been a person who had shown an interest in DB, in talking with her and in who she is, he might have then told her that he was a Christian and asked if she was. He might have asked if she wanted to know what he believed. She would then answer yes or no. Like anyone else discussing anything else, you share with willing or interested people.
I'm not going to message strangers about things that are personally meaningful to me, like poetry, my family, my work, or my God. It would most likely have the opposite effect. It would turn them off of me and the things I hold dear. It's foolish.
I know there are Christians out there who use this method. But remember, there are ill-informed people who approach you about any number of things...personal causes and politics being two that pop to mind. Christians are just like you...Big Gasp. They...we... are imperfect flawed people with all the gifts, problems, and social messups that everyone else is vulnerable to.
Just know that if you want to share about something you love or believe in, begin with people you have bothered to know a little, or someone who expresses an interest. And the best way to have people become interested in what you love? Live for it. Let your life and actions reflect what you love and believe in. It's called being authentic.
By the same reasoning, if a Christian uses this approach with you, please don't lump all Christians in that faux pas, annoying company. You just met an overly enthusiastic, socially misinformed individual. Dislike the individual or his approach, but save room for the people who have grown and know a little better.
I'm messaged often by people on VR who want me to read their poetry. YEah, it bugs me if I don't know them. Quite frankly, the poetry is often deplorable, usually because it was done by people who don't really understand poetry. They haven't read much of it or considered the rhythm of language and the power of sparseness and "just the right word." There is an immaturity that is certainly forgivable. As bad as it may burn the eye and the delicate sensibilities, I still try to help and encourage the better parts and I never think to myself, "That is it! All poets suck! Burn my T.S. Eliot! Kill all who would dare to rhyme!"
(If you got this far...why is a stripper cow talking about Jesus? Well, why not?)
COMMENTS
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BLOODLIFE
15:36 Jul 29 2011
That's just not British!