Yahoo Answers: Can it REALLY change peoples opinions on Religion and help

[david]

enlighten people? Can this ACTUALLY be used as a tool to help enlighten people about such issues as the second coming of Christ, the End Times, Bible/Ancient/Nostradamus prophecies, and the Bible in general?

I've had my account for some months now. I thought this would be a great way to enlighten other people about the Word of God, and help save souls.

After multiple attempts to try to prove the End Times, Prophecies, provoke beliefs on these topics, and get people thinking, I began to come to the assumption that I am really helping no one. Its either people agree, or disagree.
"Oh yea thats true"
or
"You crazy lunatic thats all hogwash"

People here seem to have very sturdy opinions on any aspect of religious beliefs and I don't think trying to lead anyone to salvation through this could work?

The real way to lead people to salvation is through EXAMPLE, like Jesus did. But is it possible to help someone see the light by just writing down your testimony?

Has anyone on Y!A ever had any religious epiphanies, came to shocking (religious) truths, or been saved by someone trying to get through to them on this?

I am going to be a missionary soon, but until then I promised myself I would try my best to get through to people and awaken them from their long sleep. So I try all kinds of tactics and tried to take advantage of technology. I have debates on Y!A, broadcasted youtube videos, and even advertise my Christian beliefs on a myspace page.

Is any of this really helping anyone? Or do I have to wait until I'm old enough to start my mission before I can really save people?

 

[Who'sgotmyElvisCDm]

Probably not.
I think folks come here because they enjoy arguing, or playful banter, whatever you call it.
I would hope that someone looking for "enlightenment" of some kind would not limit their search to Y!A.

 

[EliotK]

Yes - there was a very good answer about the history leading up to English translations of the Bible. That was in the past hour or two.

There is an emotional or psychological problem called "poor boundaries." This is when a person doesn't know where he ends and the next person begins. For example, a person with weak boundaries would believe that if she likes strawberry, then every body must like strawberry. Or, weak boundaries might allow a person to think, "My best friend doesn't like chocolate, so maybe there is something wrong with me for liking chocolate."

Parents show weak boundaries when they assume a child is hungry or hot or cold just because the parent is.

Religion - especially when it involves missionaries - is a major player in the universe of poor boundaries. A person with poor boundaries thinks that their beliefs, their matters of faith, are better than another person's faith. I am not going to try to convince you that licorice is better than gummy bears. Your truth is yours, mine is mine.

Your plans to become a missionary are disturbing. You are taught to be so arrogant that you are willing to spend time to convince other people that they are wrong and you are right.

How can I be so sure that poor boundaries is a bad thing, rather than a good thing? Because symptoms of poor boundaries include being an over-protective parent, insisting your spouse feel and act the way you do, stealing, reading other people's private email, and molesting children. People with healthy boundaries just don't do these things - they are not even TEMPTED to do those things.

I do respect some missionaries: I know a Catholic Nun who has lived with the poor in Asia for over 40 years - except when she was head of her order. She is 100% devoted to making the society around her better: more education, better health care, organizing groups of villages to increase their political awareness, and so on.

She is appalled at missionaries who seek to teach a religion, rather than simply help the people. In fact, the missionaries who are dedicated to good work help to deport missionaries whose mission is to convert people.

Please, do not try to convert anyone when you are a missionary.

 

[theone78]

Jesus -- Has changed my life.. Not religion You must pray and ask for guidance,, be lead by the spirit, and remember that it's not always our job to save them, but to plant the seed of the word of God.

Another plants, sows, and nother water's but God gets the glory !!

 

[Footy]

You crazy lunatic thats all hogwash.

 

[tigris]

I think you have the right idea. The only way to convince somebody that you mean what you say about your religion is by acting it.
A lot of people talk about following Jesus, but like the young man in the bible story, when it comes to act on it and literally give everything they own away, they turn away from it.
I would furthermore recommend to you to be concerned in saving the body first and not worry too much about the soul. If people are homeless and hungry they will be less concerned about things which don't affect their immediate survival than when they have enough to eat and a safe shelter.
Keep in mind: preach the gospel but use words only if unavoidable.
I would particularly avoid preaching the end times, as this is so hard to transmit by example. It also doesn't do people much good. Rather help them to cope with life today.