missionary missconceptions

This time, I'm here not to argue, but to post a few warnings to those who want to share the message of Christ with their friends. This advice comes regardless of denomination or doctrine. It is advice about the modern missconceptions about the lost. Witness to them, by all means, but try to take what's said about them with a grain of salt eh?

Athiesm:

First and primary, athiests make up less than 1% of the populations of most countries, and maybe even the whole world. That's millions so chances of finding one are good if you know where to look, but also there's a chance of never meeting one in person.

That said, EVERYONE has a supposidely true to life "athiest story". In this story, said athiest is somehow in the christian's home or on their commute to somewhere. The subject of God is brought up. Everything sounds reasonable enough, until the last and actual point of the story. The christain brings into the converstation one of the simplest and often most hilarious points to prove there is a God that you can think of, to which the Athiest, we're supposed to believe, becomes stumped, perplexed and goes away humiliated.

Athiesm Myth 1:
Athiest are NOT stupid, nor do they appreciate the insinuation. Athiest hold their intelligence above all else. To communicate with one, you have to make them believe you are on the same level, trying to look down on them, only makes them want to leave, reinforcing their idea that Christains are dumb.

Athiest think they know they are smarted than you, generally. I find it easiest to tell them to "keep an open mind". If they refuse this, they've just landed the modern label of stupidity, but if they say yes, they have to actually listen to you. Next I'll bring my BEST arguements to the table. Not something silly I heard from Mark Lowry (yes I'm a fan of the big guy, but people need to keep in mind, his material is not meant to be taken seriously, so don't). When they hear you saying smart things, they're usually intreguied. To them this is an intellectual exercise, they want to learn as much about you and you want to learn about them. Next prepare to be challenged. This means not picking a subject you are weak on. If you don't know much about science, like me, steer towards more farmiliar ground, but at the same time, keep up to date on it and at least know what you believe.

On the issue of science, understand everyone has learned something different. There is NO bible of science. Therefore, there is nothing to say what you've learned is more valid than what someone else has. An athiest will often say your material is dated, and you'll say his is, but chances are, both are. Scientific theories are constantly updating, and whilst creationism goes one way, evolutionism goes another. There is little common ground between the two theories, and creationism stays relitively the same whilst evolutionism is in constant flux. Christains argue evolution like a fixed theory... there is no fixed theory of evolution, that's why its so hard to refute. Evolution may be wrong, but it's an, excuse the term, evolving idea, whereas creationism is an idea that always remains the same.

Many non-biblical views are evolving. Remember this on any subject. For example, you have to stick to a fixed historical view, but you never know what view your friend has. You take the story of the plagues of Egypt for granted, but why isn't there an Egyptian record of it? (Yes, there are answers to this: Egyptians probably wouldn't have wanted to record it, since it would have made their gods look bad and it probably wasn't considered something they WOULD have recorded anyway and a number of other explanations.) How does one explain Isreal's small significance to other nations? (Easily, yes it was significant in the Bible, but only at certain times (like Solomon's reign) would it have been of any consiquence to the rest of the world, being a relitively small nation.) Why are there no other record of Jesus? (Four is already not a bad number, but no dout Jesus was not the only person to try to create a new religious movement. He never attacked a king, assassinated an emporer, started a mass hysteria... actually, unless one understood the spiritual significance of what Jesus was doing, he would not have seen any point in recording it at all. -Yes there is a supposed other record but it's not very extensive-.)

Myth 2:

Athiest are NOT depressed. Most athiests are not searching for a way to believe in God. Most hate the very idea of one, or logically, they wouldn't be athiests in the first place (think about that). They're not trying to dump their beliefs any more than you, you need to convince them they need to dump them at all.

An athiest's world view is one different from our own. They are not afraid to wake up in the morning, any more than us. We have faith that God will be there for us, they have faith in their family and friends -I have a little of that one myself to, as I'm sure many of you do-. They think life's purpose is self directed, we believe only to a point (and vary on that point -open theism to calvinism, yes I'm aware try to stay on subject-).

Myth 3:

Athiest do not wonder about their purpose. See myth 2.

Myth 4:

Athiest are NOT smarter than anyone else. This is probably a myth perpetuated mostly by athiests themselves. They hold human intelligence very highly and like to think they've accomplished much in the area. What they and many others do no realize, is that athiests are not intellectual elites at all. Most are Joe Smoes like us. They all have their own experiences and research, just like us.

Myth 5:

There is no fixed athiest theology other than the idea that there is no god. To talk to one, its almsot required to do more listening than talking because it is impossible to know what their beleifs are or why they came to them.





I hope these help keep my fellow Christians from making fools of themselves, I'll make my next post about myths on Jehovahs witnesses.

 

Sorry all for the delay. As promised, these warnings come from my real true to life experiences with Jehovah's witnesses. I have actually talked to such people, and am NOT trying to promote any particular view by explaining them. I simply wish to get the truth out because I'm tired of watching modern casual missionary types, being lied to by mordern evangelicals. Again, most anyone who gives you a story about JWs, is usually lieing about the entire exprience. JWs are no where near as utterly stupid as you've been led to believe and it's pathetic that to make a point, modern Christians believe they can make any silly accusation they want about the lost, thinking no one will ever call them on it.

I'm calling, will anyone else?

Understand, to preempt stupidity, I have to say this, NO, just because I'm defending JWs and revealing the truth about them does NOT mean I am a JW nor do I support them.

Myth 1:

JWs do not believe in the Sanctity of Jesus.

JWs DO believe in the sanctity of Jesus. It is the trinity in which they do not believe. My understanding is that they believe Jesus some form of near God. They believe He is incredibly powerful, eternal, without begining, but actually a separate being from God himself. They acknowledge Jesus as a master of humanity, but believe that He is below the true God, Jehovah.


Myth 2:

JWs believe only what they can understand.

Believing in any god is difficult and we all know sticking to the Bible is hard. JWs have honest convictions (about the same percentage of them are sincere as any normal Christain denomination) and believe that they are actually from scripture. You need to know this... do NOT be surprised when a JW pulls out a Bible and is indeed able to point out passages that seem to prove his point. Yes, their ideas usually constitute jumping to conclusions and taking things out on context... but isn't that a common church problem?

Myth 3:

JWs do not believe the "sovereignty" of God.

Okay, first off, the three omni-terms do NOT compose the true definition of sovereignty, many of you already know where I stand on this particular discussion, and know some of my reasons (here comes the sarcasm).

Anyway, JWs believe in all three principals of absolute "sovereignty".

Myth 4:

JWs are racist.

No more than any other belief system. Many views have come up and been slapped onto JWs thanks to a certain Kent Hovind. He was lying, no surprise.

Myth 5:

JWs use the same Bible most Christians do.

No, I'm not kidding. They DON'T. If you intend on debating a JW bring your own Bible. I'm being competely serious. If I remember correctly some stories have been altered from their original translations. One prime example is subbing the term Jehovah every time God or one of His names is said. This is not a joke, though yes, when I first saw one of their Bible I... laughed out loud. Often the alterations are blatant and obvious. Bring your own Bible... but really, that's always a good idea for any minister, do not EVER rely on your memory verses. Yes Jesus quoted verses but being God, Jesus practically wrote the Bible, He didn't memorize things out of context like most Christians have. To shoot out a memory verse you are not ready to defend, define and show context for, is often evangelical suicide, convincing people you barely know what you believe.

Myth 6:

JWs are similar in beliefs to most Christians.

Nope. An altered Bible, no belief in the Trinity, no belief in Hell, the belief in day old creation, poor convictions on homosexuality and on down the list. If one tries to liken his beliefs to yours, don't be fooled. If someone wants to convert me to anything, I demand to know what the difference is, otherwise, no way in hell I'm converting to something "basically" what I believe.

Myth 7:

JWs believe in the same judgement we do.

They do not believe in hell.

Myth 8:

JWs are harder on literal interpretation than most Christians.

No... its baffeling that this myth has even gained ANY popularity. If anything, JWs are more liberal with their interpretations than most.

Myth 9:

JWs are more committed.

Nope, again, not true. Door to door ministries are required by their church, it has nothing to do with the convictions of the individual. Taking young minds and telling them acceptence is contengent on door to door ministries, only gives the illusion of strong committment to those not in the church.

Myth 10:

JWs are more friendly than most Christians.

Where does this one come from? How many of you have actually gone to one of these chruches that will boot you out on your tale bone if you don't agree with them? Well neither will JWs. MANY other denominations do outreach, just not in the same manner.





My next series of dispelled myths will be on Wiccans. Yep, I've talked to ALOT of lost individuals.

 

Sorry, don't know any New Agers.

Some of my best friends are wiccans. I like to learn about them and try to figure out WHY they believe what they believe. Often this opens doors. First you haven't completely attacked their belief systems, which no one likes. EVERY religious individual carries a desire to share that religion. To share your own and actually be listened to... okay I just had an idea. After this, I really need to tell some general things I've learned for keeping an audience. No, I haven't ever gotten someone on his knees before God, but I've gotten alot of pauses and "I'll have to think about that" or "I'll have to look at that again".

Anyway, on to the Wiccan myths.

Myth 1:

Wiccans are the witches of Hollywood and Disney.

Not even close. Hollywood and Disney coppy fakers and the occasional demon possessed (I call them "demon used" since I personally think you have to be somewhat willing for possession to occur -no proof either way though, sorry-). They are mimicing people who wanted others believe they had great powers (oft going off the imagining of "what if they really did?").

Wiccans believe they have no magic powers. They believe in "magic", but it's a different idea. Just like christians believe in "spirituality" but that doesn't mean we're "spiritualists".

Wiccans will, on occasion, call themselves "witches, warlocks and sorcerers", but based on different logic.

Myth 2:

Don't mess with a Wiccan or he'll cast a spell on you, possibly to be carried out by a demon.

Most Wiccan's are far too friendly for this even if they did believe in it. Course they don't. A curse or blessing is similar to a prayer to God. Yes, we believe in the power we pray to, but most of us would be surprised by upfront and direct interference. Wiccans, similarly, do believe their curses and blessings "requested" from nature, carry power, but not immediate. If a demon were to directly attack you in a violent manner near a Wiccan, this would probably scare a Wiccan out of his mind.

Myth 3:

Wiccans cast spells and things happen (illusion or demonically perpetuated). If you can show one his spells don't work, you'll have him trapped into confessing he's wrong.

Nope, most would be pretty surpirsed at their spells taking immediate effect. Asking a Wiccan to immediately enchant something (don't think they like the term "enchant" anyway), is like an athiest asking a Christian to make God or an angel appear. We don't command God or angels, in fact with God, it's the other way around. With Wiccan's and nature, they don't believe they have the power, but that IT has the power (or that it's a shared power).

Myth 4:

Wiccans are deep spiritual thinkers.

Actually I've been able to catch many on spiritual questions they'd never thought of. For instance, a good question is, whilst they're right, just because you can't see it doesn't mean it's not there... "just because you can't see it, doesn't mean it's good". We all know meditating may indeed put you in contact with spirits, but some wiccans don't think much about "how do you know those spirits have the best of intentions?". Emptying your mind may calm you down but "you do know your mind always has something in it... whoes really putting in those new thoughts". Yes, these questions work, but use at your descresion, because you need to be able to show that YOU'VE thought enough about what YOU believe.

Myth 5:

Wiccans worship the devil.

Oh heavens, at least not intentionally. Yes I suppose in the end they do, but they do not intend to pray to Satan. They believe the spirits they pray (or chant) to are benevolent or at least benign. They acknowledge melovolent and violent spirits, but think they aren't talking to those, or that they can reason with them. (Supposing it were possible to reason with a demon, and I'm not throwing out the possiblity... what could you possibly show them that they don't already know? Keep in mind, if ever the idea intregues you, whatever you know, they know better ten fold and still abandoned God.)

Myth 6:

Wiccans came up with the idea of the nether world.

I think some believe in it, but not the concept brought up in Sabrina the Teenage Witch.

Myth 7:

Wiccans think they can command nature.

To Wiccans, it is a negotiation. They don't believe they have absolute power over nature or spirits, and don't believe in the absolute power of spirits. They believe in combining their, I think, and yea, I'm fuzzy on it, inner spiritual power, with that of nature and other spirits.

Myth 8:

Wiccans can hurt you.

I suppose it's possible a demon will attack you to try to convince a Wiccan you're bad... not sure how successful such an operation would be:
1: God will probably decide to intervene on your behalf in that kind of situation
2: Wiccans usually aren't violent in their beliefs
3: Again, wiccans don't believe in immediate results


With Wiccans, one must remember, they live in the same world we do, and their beliefs are structured around it. It's no surpise to them that you can't say a few silly rymes and blow up a building. They're belief is not the outrageous belief most are even AFRAID of. Fear them not, even if one is hostile, He who is with us, is greater than he who is with them.

Next, some general advise, I'm running low on myths.

Anyone else know a few on the systems I've mention, or on ones I haven't yet?

 

Day old creation is 2 Peter 3:8 taken waaaay out of context. It says to God, a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years a like a day. Read the full context and see what this actually means:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2 Peter 3&version=31
Its taken to mean, somehow, that the six "days" of creation were "days" or indeterminate large amounts of time. Also the belief tries to chuck in the idea that day could be interpreted as "back in the day"... which would be entirely possible if the text didn't say "and there was MORNING and there was EVENING the first day". In context, the passage is very clear. As a firm believer in taking the most logical on the surface interpretation of most Bible texts, I think the text is clear, this belief is a fallacy.

Catholisim is also very widely missunderstood. However my knowledge of it is somewhat limited as well (hence I wasn't really able to keep up last time it was presented by me, all my information is second hand). From my undestanding, aside from the Catacism and Apocryphal, our Bibles are the same. Actually, the Protestant Bible roughly came from the Catholic Bible.

Umm... why are you trying to pick a fight with him?

As far as I know it's a fact:
http://www.adherents.com/Religions_By_Adherents.html#Nonreligious

 

It's interesting, have you ever actually asked what the beliefs of a seventh day Adventest really are of someone who actually holds the belief? Somehow, from your tone, I doubt it.

I KNOW JWs are a cult, but after talking to one, I gained respect for them, most people do. You're just being a jerk.

Do you have any idea, ligitametly, and no, Baptist Chruch handouts don't count (and often aren't worth the paper they're written on). Church handouts usually shout as loudly as they can the most rediculous myths. Handouts, Sunday school lessons... I don't know why such unprofessionalism is tollerated these days in the church, but its presence is obvious to the most casual of observers.