I had a run in with a person of another religion (Jesus Christ, reject)

[michaelm]

The main points above are right, I think. He approached you and you didnt want to listen to his 'sales pitch' thats fine. Would you stop people in the street and ask them can you talk to them aboyt Buddha? If you did and someone said "No, I dont believe in the Buddha, Im a Christian" would you be offended? If he was offended then that is a reflection of his approach. Why should he expect people to listen to him?

I love studying religions and spirituality, but sadly, the evangelicals who behave in this way are doing more harm than good, and, even more sadly, usually for egotisical and selfish reasons. Much of it becomes pseudo-martydom....how many hours they 'witnessed for Jesus', how many 'insults' or 'rejections' they endured.

I have in the past spoken with people who have approached me. Obviously they vary, but what seems consistent is that they are very closed-minded, often not very intelligent, cannot actually reason, nor know the bible too well. All that happened on those occasions was that it was clear I wasnt gonig to be preached to, would ask awkward questions they couldnt cope with and want going to be converted. I did noce keep the conversation going just to see how long the guy would last (I was also waiting for a bus and hadnt anything particular else to do). He lasted about 10 minutes.

[zenzero]

Friend Michaelm,
Rather would put it this way.
Have no problem with anyone trying to preach. He is doing what he knows but if he wants to follow a particular path he needs to prove that it is the only path that leads me to nirvana or whatever he calls it. Frankly speaking all paths / religions lead to the same place and humans slowly will be drawn on his own towards them, no preaching is required.
All preachings are done by those who make religion a business or politics; which real religious / spiritual persons will not be attracted to anyway.
Love & rgds

[Izdaari]

As a Christ-follower, I of course believe in evangelism, but I don't think that particular fellow's approach was the best one. And you have no obligation to give your time to random strangers, especially when it's for a discussion you expect will be neither enjoyable nor productive. Perhaps you might have been more gracious about it, but you were under no obligation to be.

[+Xausted]

Originally Posted by Somkid

I took my family to the fitness club/swimming pool, private club yesterday to enjoy a nice family day. I dropped my wife and daughters off at the front entrance and I parked the car and proceeded to walk to the entrance.

As I got close to the entrance I was approached by a young Western man in his early 20's I would guess . He pretty much blocked my way and said something along the lines of "can I talk to you about God and Jesus Christ". I replied without thinking "sorry man, I'm not interested." He looked a bit shocked and said "can I ask why?" I replied "I don't believe in god and I'm a Buddhist as are 95% of the population of this country." before continuing on my way.

Now, I am feeling kind of bad about it. Firstly, even though I didn't want to hear his pitch about how Jesus loved me, and I wasn't really rude, I have this lingering guilt that I could have been nicer and less offhand.
although i do not think you did anything wrong (those people are soooo annoying) if you feel guilty then it was maybe a lesson that you can take on board and learn from. have a stratagy for the next time something similar happens. and as far as i am aware the Buddha does not believe in 'guilt' as a healthy emotion....so stop beating yourself up : ), the Buddha wouldnt like it!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol

Secondly, I suppose my unease has arisen from saying I don't believe in God. Although I don't believe in the supreme creator put forward by the bible, I think that's the first time I've actually said it out loud in a confrontational way.
yeah....and? not getting the problem here. confrontational would have been if you had started to put your views across to the Christian in a manner that said your religion was the only right one. you didnt, so its cool
Don't really know if I even have a question maybe just wondering what others thought of my reactions.
always aim to have consideration, calmness, and a loving thoughtful attitude.....but heh we are all human. AND YOU DID NOTHING WRONG
Another first were the words "I am a Buddhist." Never said that before either without being asked directly.

[Don Penguinoini]

I think you were nice to him.

[+Xausted]

hi. just had to post this becauce i thought of you straight away. two jehovahs witnesses have just knocked on my door. prior to starting my degree i prob would have been quite rude and dismissive. however i told them nicely that i was not interested in their religion but any leaflets they could give me would be most gratefully received, for they may help with my studies. they went with a smile on their faces and i feel that was the right way to deal with it. they where not offended and i was not irratated (they interupted my morning coffee.....and no one normally is allowed to do that!lol)

[UltraViolet]

I think at this point I would say something like...

"We all have our own God concepts, and Reality constructs"
"I already know all about the Chiristian God concept & Reality construct...
and it does not interest me personally at all.
Thank you though for your interest in speaking with me."

[michaelm]

"I already know all about the Chiristian God concept & Reality construct"

That would be quite a claim