Originally posted by Robtard
I've no doubt they believe that, but in reality, using someones stare of destitution as a fulcrum to inject your own views on them is selfish.Why can't they just give the poor and sick beggar the sandwich, why does the pamphlet have to go along?
Why should they miss the opportunity for what they believe is saving someones soul?
Originally posted by Robtard
I've no doubt they believe that, but in reality, using someones stare of destitution as a fulcrum to inject your own views on them is selfish.Why can't they just give the poor and sick beggar the sandwich, why does the pamphlet have to go along?
indeed. why would a true christian need incentive to be charitable?
Originally posted by Grand_Moff_Gav
Why should they miss the opportunity for what they believe is saving someones soul?
what a nice way to describe the manipulation of desperate people of faith. im sure if jews or muslems or maybe hindus visited christian katrina victims and tried converting them you would be just as open minded and supportive.
Originally posted by Grand_Moff_Gav
Are you saying they are not sincere in their belief in Jesus and that they think spreading his gospel is helpful?
Don't take this the wrong way, as I am not making a point against missionaries or against Christianity or its followers. However, this was on a radio station which represents an at least vocal and modestly numbered group of missionaries.
They were sending people to Africa to feed and take care of Africans, which is great.
They were showing Africans Mel Gibson's "Passion of the Christ"
So, here is my point. It's not about the violence, or the antisemitism, or the inaccuracies (if any), or even about the fact that they are trying to convert people. It is that this is a modern Hollywood special effect blockbuster film, costing millions in production. This is the equivalent of having an F-16 during the conquest of North and South America.
People aren't going to have the experience with media to be able to disassociate reality from fiction. The hyper-realism of the film is something their cognition will not be able to understand as "reality created by people in a studio". Its similar to why advertising is so effective on children.
This isn't a remark about anything biological or racist, but about development and experience. In the absence of any media, it is impossible to be sensitized to the extreme emotional content of modern film. Preach, convert, whatever. Give people their free will though.
Originally posted by Grand_Moff_Gav
Why should they miss the opportunity for what they believe is saving someones soul?
You bring up a good point about opportunity, and that's what it is, an opportunity to inject views, the helping is just garnish or a side-effect.
Why not just give the disease infested starving legless Indian beggar the sandwich and let him find Jesus by himself, if he so wishes?
Originally posted by Schecter
what a nice way to describe the manipulation of desperate people of faith. im sure if jews or muslems or maybe hindus visited christian katrina victims and tried converting them you would be just as open minded and supportive.
Indeed I would be...
Originally posted by inimalist
Don't take this the wrong way, as I am not making a point against missionaries or against Christianity or its followers. However, this was on a radio station which represents an at least vocal and modestly numbered group of missionaries.They were sending people to Africa to feed and take care of Africans, which is great.
They were showing Africans Mel Gibson's "Passion of the Christ"
So, here is my point. It's not about the violence, or the antisemitism, or the inaccuracies (if any), or even about the fact that they are trying to convert people. It is that this is a modern Hollywood special effect blockbuster film, costing millions in production. This is the equivalent of having an F-16 during the conquest of North and South America.
People aren't going to have the experience with media to be able to disassociate reality from fiction. The hyper-realism of the film is something their cognition will not be able to understand as "reality created by people in a studio". Its similar to why advertising is so effective on children.
This isn't a remark about anything biological or racist, but about development and experience. In the absence of any media, it is impossible to be sensitized to the extreme emotional content of modern film. Preach, convert, whatever. Give people their free will though.
I don't think I've ever stated I support their methods or indeed the fact they do it at all. Im just pointing out that there is nothing wrong in their eyes with what they do. Personally, when I give advice to my friends, which i do quite a lot, i never ever ever refer to religion...indeed, even though im Catholic I don't tell people they should abstain from sex and condoms and I have had plenty of opportunity to do so.
However, just because I don't think that you should always include your personal religious beliefs when "helping" people doesn't mean that Christians who do preach the gospel are being selfish or manipulative...they are doing what they honestly believe is best...
Originally posted by Grand_Moff_Gav
I would respect that they believe they are doing the best thing...yes its common sense.
yeah, but i was being rhetorical, so i wasnt really demanding an answer.
however since you did answer ill just call BS and leave it at that. personally i would be pissed to know of any scenario where people of one faith are helped in a time of desperate need while those who hand them food are also attempting to convert them. its disrespectful and just downright disgusting.
Originally posted by Schecter
yeah, but i was being rhetorical, so i wasnt really demanding an answer.
however since you did answer ill just call BS and leave it at that. personally i would be pissed to know of any scenario where people of one faith are helped in a time of desperate need while those who hand them food are also attempting to convert them. its disrespectful and just downright disgusting.
That may be so, but it doesn't detract from the fact that the people who are "attempting to convert them" believe they are doing the best thing possible.
Originally posted by Grand_Moff_Gav
That may be so, but it doesn't detract from the fact that the people who are "attempting to convert them" believe they are doing the best thing possible.
you seem to thing that's some cure-all justification, yet
most evil in the world is committed under the same premise.
Originally posted by Schecter
you seem to thing that's some cure-all justification, yet
most evil in the world is committed under the same premise.
See, this is the problem.
I am not justifying what they do. I am not even attempting to justify what they do...my point was they believe that is the greatest good and that is why they try to preach as part of their missionary work.
Originally posted by Schecter
what a nice way to describe the manipulation of desperate people of faith. im sure if jews or muslems or maybe hindus visited christian katrina victims and tried converting them you would be just as open minded and supportive.
Originally posted by Grand_Moff_Gav
Indeed I would be...
Originally posted by Grand_Moff_Gav
I am not justifying what they do. I am not even attempting to justify what they do.
how can you support something without feeling it is justified?