Friends don't let friends

[JRKH]

Drive Drunk. I’m sure that most of us have heard this (at least in the U.S.) and it is obviously an idea that few would argue with…

So why do I bring it up???

Because I have, on occasion, heard non-believers complain about being evangelized. They feel pressured and maybe put-upon.
But
I wonder if they realize that for those who evangelize they see it as just as important as keeping a friend from driving - - that it is being done out of love.

Friends don’t let friends go to hell…

I dunno - just a thought…

Peace
James

 

[ialsop]

Drive Drunk. I’m sure that most of us have heard this (at least in the U.S.) and it is obviously an idea that few would argue with…

So why do I bring it up???

Because I have, on occasion, heard non-believers complain about being evangelized. They feel pressured and maybe put-upon.
But
I wonder if they realize that for those who evangelize they see it as just as important as keeping a friend from driving - - that it is being done out of love.

Friends don’t let friends go to hell…

I dunno - just a thought…

Peace
James

AMen amenamen sooo true.

 

[Joie_de_Vivre]

Drive Drunk. I’m sure that most of us have heard this (at least in the U.S.) and it is obviously an idea that few would argue with…

So why do I bring it up???

Because I have, on occasion, heard non-believers complain about being evangelized. They feel pressured and maybe put-upon.
But
I wonder if they realize that for those who evangelize they see it as just as important as keeping a friend from driving - - that it is being done out of love.

Friends don’t let friends go to hell…

I dunno - just a thought…

Peace
James

The reason few argue about it is that in those cases the danger is extremely near whereas for Hell it is not considered so near. Additionally in the cases of drinking and driving the danger is not just to themselves, but also to other people. Between how near the danger is and that said danger also affects other people it can be considered okay to infringe on people’s freedoms more than other cases.

 

[pianistclare]

Yeah, I think many people don’t believe anyone goes to hell anymore. Seems popular culture turned this on its head, and that it’s just a “deterrent construct” .
A priest friend of mine always says “The TRUTH, is always the most compassionate way”. Although many times, the truth is an unwelcome addition to the conversation.
A lot does depend on the delivery though.

 

[MaryT777]

Yeah, I think many people don’t believe anyone goes to hell anymore. Seems popular culture turned this on its head, and that it’s just a “deterrent construct” .
A priest friend of mine always says “The TRUTH, is always the most compassionate way”. Although many times, the truth is an unwelcome addition to the conversation.
A lot does depend on the delivery though.

Ah yes, to say there is a hell is politcally incorrect now. Of COURSE there is no hell and no "loving God’ would “send” someone there. No thought we send ourseves there. Doesn’t help we had a Catholic priest posting once on an Ask a priest/deacon site who said he believed there was no one in hell etc. So it’s just a hell of a mess sometimes.

Mary.

 

[marycchristian]

One of my very dear high school girlfriends posted that very message on her facebook page. She is one of the most devout, best Christian I have ever had the priviledge of knowing. She is Protestant but she and I believe so very much the same way.

With regard to truth another poster mentioned…A priest once told me that the truth is like a two edged sword - it hurts, cuts, bleeds when going in but when pulled out, all that stops and all that is left is a minor scar = perhaps he was referring to a reminder to not get in that position again, LOL! I don’t know.

 

[Book_Worm]

While I agree with your basic premise, I don’t think we do our cause any good when we use faulty logic to present it.

A drunken friend who decides to drive is incapable of making a rational decision. People deny God for many rational reasons. (That’s why belief is called “faith” and not knowledge.).

People who resent being evangelized do so because they feel that you think you are wiser than they and know more than they do, certainly not something which would endear you to them. We think we are sharing the greatest gift we’ve ever been given. That’s not what they see at all.

 

[edarlitrix]

Well, I think one would need to approach evangelization in a less confrontational way than trying to stop a friend from driving drunk. Check out the book *Tactics * by Greg Koukl. Ask questions instead of make statements when evangelizing/seeking to do evangelize.

 

[Robyn_p]

Ah yes, to say there is a hell is politcally incorrect now. Of COURSE there is no hell and no "loving God’ would “send” someone there. No thought we send ourseves there. Doesn’t help we had a Catholic priest posting once on an Ask a priest/deacon site who said he believed there was no one in hell etc. So it’s just a hell of a mess sometimes.

Mary.

Heh. I see what you did there.

 

[MaryT777]

Heh. I see what you did there.

Of course, A good friend from Catholic School told us all there would be no Catholics in hell who went to Catholic schools because…

“the nuns scared the hell out of them” LOL…couldn’t resist.
Hope the humor is not inappropriate.

Love the nuns, they did teach the truth from whence I came from.

Mary.

 

[wllmjoseph]

People who resent being evangelized do so because they feel that you think you are wiser than they and know more than they do, certainly not something which would endear you to them. We think we are sharing the greatest gift we’ve ever been given. That’s not what they see at all.

Question? Is it possible the the people who resent evangelization resent it not because their feeling the the individual who is evangelizing come across as condescending but rather the person who is evangelizing them is challenging them to confront that which is an uncomfortable topic for them.

To have a great treasure which is what the Catholic faith is and to not share it with others because we are concerned about offending their sensibilities is wrong. Our country is badly in need of a “Friends don’t let friends go to Hell”. Unfortunately in this age of political correctness and the Dictatorship of Moral Relativism that will not happen and that is regrettable.

 

[GEddie]

People are gonna like going to Hell a lot less than they liked hearing about it!!!

ICXC NIKA.

 

[GEddie]

“Friends don’t let friends drive themselves to Hell.”

ICXC NIKA.

 

[JRKH]

Of course, A good friend from Catholic School told us all there would be no Catholics in hell who went to Catholic schools because…

“the nuns scared the hell out of them” LOL…couldn’t resist.
Hope the humor is not inappropriate.

Love the nuns, they did teach the truth from whence I came from.

Mary.

The humor is just fine…

Peace
James

 

[JRKH]

“Friends don’t let friends drive themselves to Hell.”

ICXC NIKA.

Good one…

Great responses folks.

I think that my idea in posting this thought is that, the next time something like this comes up we can use the “Friends don’t let friends drive drunk” as an analogy to try to explain how important we think the topic is. To prevent someone from “killing themselves”.
It might or might not work…as with all things…but I thought it an interesting idea.

Peace
James

 

[JRKH]

While I agree with your basic premise, I don’t think we do our cause any good when we use faulty logic to present it.

A drunken friend who decides to drive is incapable of making a rational decision. People deny God for many rational reasons. (That’s why belief is called “faith” and not knowledge.).

People who resent being evangelized do so because they feel that you think you are wiser than they and know more than they do, certainly not something which would endear you to them. We think we are sharing the greatest gift we’ve ever been given. That’s not what they see at all.

Granted - which is why the approach is so important.

My thought in using this as an analogy is less about rational decision making and more about communicating the weight, the importance one gives to sharing the faith.
The non-believer asks…“why do you feel the need to convert me”. The reply should be, “because I love you so much and don’t want you to die”.
In the ads about drunk driving…we prefer that the person stay with us.

Like I say - it’s just a thought…

Peace
James

 

[MaryT777]

Good one…

Great responses folks.

I think that my idea in posting this thought is that, the next time something like this comes up we can use the “Friends don’t let friends drive drunk” as an analogy to try to explain how important we think the topic is. To prevent someone from “killing themselves”.
It might or might not work…as with all things…but I thought it an interesting idea.

Peace
James

It IS an interesting idea, and I love the analogy. Can’t wait to use it when appropriate.
Mary.

 

[schaeffer]

Granted - which is why the approach is so important.

My thought in using this as an analogy is less about rational decision making and more about communicating the weight, the importance one gives to sharing the faith.
The non-believer asks…“why do you feel the need to convert me”. The reply should be, “because I love you so much and don’t want you to die”.
In the ads about drunk driving…we prefer that the person stay with us.

Like I say - it’s just a thought…

Peace
James

I agree with this. Tactics, approach, motivation, sincerity, compassion etc all play into effective/appropriate evangelization.

Also remember that most adults have been evangelized to many times before, and most likely by some who used approaches that have left them wary and closed off from further evangelization of any sort.

What I have found most effective to me, is when people live their faith, and show me and tell me how it transforms their lives. When they tell my why they believe what they believe I listen because they are my friend, I care about them and respect them, and I can see if, indeed, their faith is transformational and holds truth.