How We Share Our Faith

[_smartz]

Hello Religious Forums!

My name is Martin and I'm a member of the Church of Christ. I'm excited to be a part of a thriving faith based online community and look forward to engaging in friendly religious discussion

I wanted to know, what are your thoughts on sharing your faith? Whatever religion or belief system you come from, I'm curious as what you've found most effective in getting people to learn more about your church?

Hope to hear from you all, and happy to be a part of the community!

 

[Mackerni]

Hi Martin, I'm Ethan.

I like to share my faith quite often. Like many of the usual people here I alternate titles. I belong to more than one religion, officially. I like to share my faith so much that I've actually created a signature that does that on the bottom of every post I make. I'm a member of the First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee and a future-member of the Unitarian Universalist Religious Naturalists.

More specifically, I believe in two core concepts: pandeism and pantheosis. In short, I believe before the big bang everyone and everything was God at one point, the big bang happened and God no longer exists, but human evolution will eventually achieve a mass deification and as a result everything will become one/God again.

I checked out the link. Sorry, but I've never been a Christian. Never have, never will. But thank you for sharing!

 

[_smartz]

Hi Ethan,

Thanks for your reply! Your faith sounds interesting. I'm curious as to how people in the science community respond to your belief concerning the big bang. Also, when it comes to sharing your faith, what challenges do you usually encounter? I'm checking out your website right now and I'm looking at the different things you've got on there. Would you mind doing the same for ours? While I'm not overtly trying to convert you, was there anything on there that turned you off? Or anything a non-christian would like to see that isn't there already?

Hope to hear from you soon!

 

[Kirran]

Interesting - I don't really share my faith in the way you describe, to be honest. Like I don't do outreach to try and get more people on board, as I don't see it as the one truth or anything.

But I had a swing by the link you posted. I think it's a nice website for members, but I don't see that it'd hold much for non-members. But an INC website is bound to be more suited for people who are in the INC

I'm a Hindu and an Advaitin, incidentally, as this is not clear from the 'Religion:' box (Ekam Sat means 'Truth is One' and is from the Rig Veda)

 

[Mackerni]

Your website actually reminds me any stereotypical American conservative website. It reminds me of Rush Limbaugh's site, or iHeartRadio's website to a lesser extent. Not saying that is bad. That's perfectly fine. It wasn't the website itself, it's knowing that it is Christian. I have this theory, you see. My mom was on birth control when she got pregnant with me. And the Catholic church said that she couldn't baptize me because she wasn't confirmed. She wasn't confirmed because she was on birth control. So, yeah, I heard all that commotion done in my momma's tummy while it was going on. Therefore, to this day I do not like people trying to convert me to Christianity. There's also another reason why I don't like Christianity, a more practical one. Christian literally means, "like the annotated one". To me that is very elitist sounding. I've found out that the more Christian you think you are, the less you act like how Christ truly acted.

I don't actively engage the scientific community with my religious epiphanies. My pandeism and pantheosis is not even a requirement for UURN. UURNs share similar beliefs as me regarding the monism/dualism debate, and like me are in awe of nature. I was going to write a book that was going to be similar in vein to the Epics of Evolution. The only religious holidays I want to celebrate every year are the solstices and equinoxes. All UURN is, is a modern-day interpretation of pagan culture.

*checks out the site a little more* I do like this website quite a bit, Lots of information, very much so in your face about it. Hard to lose focus on a website like that. I don't like how certain links go to different websites. There should be an external link page if I haven't already seen it. Besides that it looks good!

 

[_smartz]

Interesting - I don't really share my faith in the way you describe, to be honest. Like I don't do outreach to try and get more people on board, as I don't see it as the one truth or anything.

But I had a swing by the link you posted. I think it's a nice website for members, but I don't see that it'd hold much for non-members. But an INC website is bound to be more suited for people who are in the INC

I'm a Hindu and an Advaitin, incidentally, as this is not clear from the 'Religion:' box (Ekam Sat means 'Truth is One' and is from the Rig Veda)

"I think it's a nice website for members, but I don't see that it'd hold much for non-members. " Why do you say that?

For Hindus, what would you say you have in common with Christianity? Are you taught a certain way when it comes to letting people know about your beliefs?

Thanks for your reply!

 

[_smartz]

Your website actually reminds me any stereotypical American conservative website. It reminds me of Rush Limbaugh's site, or iHeartRadio's website to a lesser extent. Not saying that is bad. That's perfectly fine. It wasn't the website itself, it's knowing that it is Christian. I have this theory, you see. My mom was on birth control when she got pregnant with me. And the Catholic church said that she couldn't baptize me because she wasn't confirmed. She wasn't confirmed because she was on birth control. So, yeah, I heard all that commotion done in my momma's tummy while it was going on. Therefore, to this day I do not like people trying to convert me to Christianity. There's also another reason why I don't like Christianity, a more practical one. Christian literally means, "like the annotated one". To me that is very elitist sounding. I've found out that the more Christian you think you are, the less you act like how Christ truly acted.

I don't actively engage the scientific community with my religious epiphanies. My pandeism and pantheosis is not even a requirement for UURN. UURNs share similar beliefs as me regarding the monism/dualism debate, and like me are in awe of nature. I was going to write a book that was going to be similar in vein to the Epics of Evolution. The only religious holidays I want to celebrate every year are the solstices and equinoxes. All UURN is, is a modern-day interpretation of pagan culture.

*checks out the site a little more* I do like this website quite a bit, Lots of information, very much so in your face about it. Hard to lose focus on a website like that. I don't like how certain links go to different websites. There should be an external link page if I haven't already seen it. Besides that it looks good!

Would you say the website comes across elitist as well? If so, how do you think it could be more appealing to those like yourself who already have a certain view on Christianity?

Are you still interested in writing that book? If so, would you use outside religions as sources to contrast some of the points you would be making? The Bible or any other religious texts?

Which links did you try?

Hope to hear from you again!

 

[Kirran]

"I think it's a nice website for members, but I don't see that it'd hold much for non-members. " Why do you say that?

For Hindus, what would you say you have in common with Christianity? Are you taught a certain way when it comes to letting people know about your beliefs?

Thanks for your reply!

On the former - it says that the INC is the one true church on Earth, which would rather put off the curious. And generally it does seem very much to cater for those already bought in to the INC's fantasticness. Not that this is in any way a detriment!

Depends on the Hindu. Hinduism is a made-up label, so under that umbrella we've got atheists, monotheists, polytheists, pantheists, nondualists, panentheists... Hard to say what a 'Hindu' per se has in common.

No certain way, no. I'm sure some Hindu groups do teach this. But I just think to answer questions thoughtfully and respectfully works

Thanks for the question!

 

[DawudTalut]

Hello Religious Forums!......I wanted to know, what are your thoughts on sharing your faith? Whatever religion or belief system you come from, I'm curious as what you've found most effective in getting people to learn more about your church?.....

Peace be on you.
Sharing information about each other's faith is healthy thing.
Ahmadiyya Muslims hold inter-faith conferences.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

I wanted to know, what are your thoughts on sharing your faith? Whatever religion or belief system you come from, I'm curious as what you've found most effective in getting people to learn more about your church?

My main thought: if you want the other person to change their mind but you aren't open to having your own mind changed, then you're approaching the conversation in bad faith (no pun intended).

 

[lovesong]

I wanted to know, what are your thoughts on sharing your faith?

Well it really depends on what you mean by "sharing your faith." If you mean trying to spread the message and convert people, thats something most Pagans would never do. If you mean simply opening up a discussion for the purpose of educating others about your beliefs and exchanging ideas, I absolutely love sharing my faith! I find it best to be an open book about my beliefs, being secretive only extends stereotypes. I love exchanging ideas with others and comparing beliefs about deity, the nature of the universe, ect. Open forum discussions like this spread understanding and increase a healthy acceptance for others.

Whatever religion or belief system you come from, I'm curious as what you've found most effective in getting people to learn more about your church?

I usually only explain my beliefs if asked, if some explanation is required in a conversation, or if stereotypes are being thrown around. The most effective way to spread understanding about beliefs is to just explain them! Sometimes examples are useful when trying to explain more difficult or unique concepts, but unlike more established faiths, Paganism is so broad and so diverse that we have no canonical literature and no unanimously agreed upon tenets. This makes it nearly impossible to give reference to any book, website, or any other source as absolute personal truth (with the exception of organized covens and orders). As you may expect, this can sometimes be to our disadvantage as some people in organized religions will dismiss our beliefs as nonsense because of the lack of cannon. Stereotypes are also a big issue. Dispelling them can be difficult and firmly held stereotypes can sometimes prevent people for being open to our faith.

Our Church uses www.incmedia.org as one of our tools in sharing our faith. If you have moment, I'd love to hear some feedback on your initial impressions on the stuff we have on there and what you like and don't like.

I think your website is well put together and seems to serve its purpose. To me it looked a lot like a news website which could encourage people to dig around it a little. The information about the church should probably be on the homepage so it's easier to find, but other than that you've got a nice site set up.

 

[rusra02]

Hello Religious Forums!

My name is Martin and I'm a member of the Church of Christ. I'm excited to be a part of a thriving faith based online community and look forward to engaging in friendly religious discussion

I wanted to know, what are your thoughts on sharing your faith? Whatever religion or belief system you come from, I'm curious as what you've found most effective in getting people to learn more about your church?

Hope to hear from you all, and happy to be a part of the community!

I do not think many persons have not been contacted by Jehovah's witnesses, whose door to door ministry is a trademark. In recent years, Jws have been very active in meeting people in public places and offering material for Bible study. This witnessing follows the practice of early Christians, and Jesus Christ himself, and fulfills prophecy, IMO. (Acts 20:20, Matthew 24:14, 28:19,20)

 

[viole]

Hello Religious Forums!

My name is Martin and I'm a member of the Church of Christ. I'm excited to be a part of a thriving faith based online community and look forward to engaging in friendly religious discussion

I wanted to know, what are your thoughts on sharing your faith? Whatever religion or belief system you come from, I'm curious as what you've found most effective in getting people to learn more about your church?

Hope to hear from you all, and happy to be a part of the community!

Since you hope to hear from us all, and I am a member of the set of "all", I will respond.

Even though I am an atheist now, I am sure I am still registered somewhere as a member of the (Lutheran) church of Sweden.

What motivated me not to ask for an official removal from that list, apart from my irreversible hate for paperwork, is that the church of Sweden happily marry gays.

Ciao

- viole

 

[Akivah]

Hello Religious Forums!

My name is Martin and I'm a member of the Church of Christ. I'm excited to be a part of a thriving faith based online community and look forward to engaging in friendly religious discussion

Shalom Martin. Well, it's easy to join RF. But I wouldn't call it faith based. There are so many forums and topics here other than religion. As for friendly, its like other internet sites. You'll get some trolls and lots of boisterous discussions that aren't quite friendly.

I wanted to know, what are your thoughts on sharing your faith? Whatever religion or belief system you come from, I'm curious as what you've found most effective in getting people to learn more about your church?

Well, there is a lot of misinformation out there about Judaism. I occasionally share topics that have the greatest misinformation. Or I answer posters' specific questions about my religion. But I have no interest to get people to learn about my synagogue. Imparting knowledge about Judaism is all that's needed.

 

[Sees]

Pretty picky about discussing/sharing it with people outside of a religious forum. I will still sometimes talk about mine with people I meet or regular acquaintances, just not most times...same with politics. Depending on the vibe I get from the person and/or the situation, I may even give a "not very religious" or "kinda do my own thing" when asked about it...also about the same with politics lol

In my experience - people on average just aren't informed enough to hold good conversation about it or likely to care much about what you have to say, on the occasions it is generally brought up in the real world.

That and I'm not interesting in selling it at all...so it's rarely worth the energy.