Political activism or evangelism? What's your choice?

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Not sure where to put this question, but figured here was as good as any. I guess a moderator can move it if they feel fit.

I see many posters which seem to feel that Christians should stop trying to impose their beliefs on others...essentially keeping their faith in the Church and keeping government completely and utterly secular.

It occurs to me that, from a Christian perspective, concentrating our efforts on people's souls through evangelism might serve our purposes better than trying to force folks to a Christian moral lifestyly through the threat of legal action. After all, capture their hearts and their actions will follow.

From those of the non-Christian persuasion though, I'd be interested if you'd be more uncomfortable continuing the fight against social conservatives in the political arena or would you prefer conservatives knocking on your door at home, in the office, etc., (Jehovah Witness-style), Bible in hand, with a goal to convert you?

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As a Buddhist I find it repulsive that the government has a particular religious sway. I don't condone having the Ten Commandments displayed on in front of courthouses nor should the government be involved in religious activities at all. One's personal beliefs are just that - personal. I would not want to walk into a courthouse and find the scales of justice tipped against me because of my faith!

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Thanks, NickFun,

So I think you agree with me. You'd prefer Christians expend their considerable energy swaying souls to Christianity, rather than changing society through legal or political fiat.

You do realize that your Buddhist beliefs would make you (rather than some political agenda) a prime target for these re-directed Christian activist-turned-evangelist.

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They can try all they want slkshock7. I am quite secure in my faith and beliefs. But when certain Presidents start talking about how important it is that we teach "intelligent design" as an alternative to common sense then the politics of evangelical Christianity has gone too far.

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NickFun wrote:

They can try all they want slkshock7. I am quite secure in my faith and beliefs. But when certain Presidents start talking about how important it is that we teach "intelligent design" as an alternative to common sense then the politics of evangelical Christianity has gone too far.

Hi Nick,

Since you describe yourself as a Buddhist, may I ask you:

How did traditional Buddhism (pre-Darwin) account for the beginning of the Earth, and the origin of life on it, and the appearance of man on the Earth?

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Political activism for christians is often evangelism; and evangelism most definetly is a form of political activism.

Personally, I detest both. Honestly, I would rather they battle it out on the political front rather than by strict evangelism. Evangelism is a form of viral politics and should be wiped out.

Hey..just my opinion.

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flushd wrote:

Evangelism is a form of viral politics and should be wiped out.

Please explain what you mean. Without your explanation, it appears that your words are colored by political beliefs that become nearly religious in nature. None of the "evangelists" that I have ever met personally have had a political agenda; they are simply people tryign to share their faith, believing they are trying to save souls. Most are fairly apolitical. While I may not agree with their faith or their methods, politics hasn't been an issue, aside from the fiew loud exceptions in the news. You can't base your assessment of all evangelists/missionaries on the sqawking of a few.

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real life wrote:

NickFun wrote:
They can try all they want slkshock7. I am quite secure in my faith and beliefs. But when certain Presidents start talking about how important it is that we teach "intelligent design" as an alternative to common sense then the politics of evangelical Christianity has gone too far.

Hi Nick,

Since you describe yourself as a Buddhist, may I ask you:

How did traditional Buddhism (pre-Darwin) account for the beginning of the Earth, and the origin of life on it, and the appearance of man on the Earth?

Buddhism defines life as being eternal - without beginning and without end. Likewise the Universe itself is infinite. I have never heard an explanation in pre-Darwin terms of how Buddhists suggested man first got here but it was definitely the result of a cause and effect relationship and not some master plan by an omnipotent deity. The Darwinian explanation suites me just fine.

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Quote:

I see many posters which seem to feel that Christians should stop trying to impose their beliefs on others...essentially keeping their faith in the Church and keeping government completely and utterly secular.

slkshock7 - Absolutely. I have no problem with churches having revivals, or even going from door to door to spread their message (although they would not get very far with me). IMO, religious messages and practices belong in the private sector; in homes, houses of worship, and in the community. I believe that the government has no business advocating the beliefs of one religion or another.

Then again, in the last few decades the government, ("thanks" to both conservatives AND liberals) has gotten much too involved in the private lives of its citizens, in many, many areas.

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AliceInWonderland wrote:

flushd wrote:
Evangelism is a form of viral politics and should be wiped out.

Please explain what you mean. Without your explanation, it appears that your words are colored by political beliefs that become nearly religious in nature. None of the "evangelists" that I have ever met personally have had a political agenda; they are simply people tryign to share their faith, believing they are trying to save souls. Most are fairly apolitical. While I may not agree with their faith or their methods, politics hasn't been an issue, aside from the fiew loud exceptions in the news. You can't base your assessment of all evangelists/missionaries on the sqawking of a few.

Whoops Alice; you must have missed my disclaimer...

I also wrote..."Hey, just my opinion"
I choose not to take the bait in this case.

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real life wrote:

NickFun wrote:
They can try all they want slkshock7. I am quite secure in my faith and beliefs. But when certain Presidents start talking about how important it is that we teach "intelligent design" as an alternative to common sense then the politics of evangelical Christianity has gone too far.

Hi Nick,

Since you describe yourself as a Buddhist, may I ask you:

How did traditional Buddhism (pre-Darwin) account for the beginning of the Earth, and the origin of life on it, and the appearance of man on the Earth?

While we're at it, what was God doing before "the beginning"?

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Phoenix,

Thanks for your post...I'm kind of torn myself, being both religiously a Christian and politically, a social conservative.

I'll heard the old saying, "Feed a man a fish and he'll not go hungry for one meal....Teach a man to fish and he'll never go hungry".

It's recently occurred to me that the same principal could be applied here. If we took the vast amount of energy Chrisitians apply to politics, especially social conservative issues, and instead apply that same energy on Jesus' Great Commission (Go and make disciples...), I'm wondering if, over time, we might make much more headway on those very social conservative issues we are trying to force thru judicial or legislative channels now.

At a minimum, I would think such a strategy would avoid the rabid, often long-lasting, reactive backlash many non-Christian people express when people like Pat Robertson overstep in their political rhetoric.

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real life wrote:

NickFun wrote:
They can try all they want slkshock7. I am quite secure in my faith and beliefs. But when certain Presidents start talking about how important it is that we teach "intelligent design" as an alternative to common sense then the politics of evangelical Christianity has gone too far.

Hi Nick,

Since you describe yourself as a Buddhist, may I ask you:

How did traditional Buddhism (pre-Darwin) account for the beginning of the Earth, and the origin of life on it, and the appearance of man on the Earth?

I can answer that question, though I'm rather adverse to do so. I fear the moment I try to answer that question, this topic will turn into yet another circular Evolution vs. Creation debate.

Evolution is no threat to Buddhism. Of the major religions, it is only a threat to the Judeo-Christian religions. Buddhism sits at ease with evolution, because nothing about the theory contradicts Buddhist philosophy.

This article should explain things more clearly than I ever could:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_and_evolution

Personally, I'd prefer it if Christians didn't actually seek to sway souls to Christianity. All I want to see are Christians being Christians, and being Christians to other people without even attempting to convince someone to convert.

Evangelism just seems too forceful to me. Quite a lot of the people I encounter who try to convert me seem to be placing so much energy and effort into trying to make me believe, it almost seems as if they're trying to shove their views down my throat. (Key word, being seems).

No, just be yourself. Don't try to convert. Don't do anything apart from be yourself.

EDIT: It is interesting to note that I read an article about "fundamentalism" in New Scientist recently. (Well, actually, I read four articles in a Special Report about fundamentalism).

It is suggested that the current Christian response (dogmatic fundamentalist Christian, that is) can be seen as a psychological need to be accepted by the dominant culture, the secular and scientific culture.

The current need to tamper with evolution is a need to have their views accepted scientifically, in a way that the secular and scientific culture can accept. Current desires to change the law to reflect more Christian views are attempts to ensure that the Christian way of life asserts itself and plays a more vital role in the shaping of humanity, so that it isn't sidelined as irrelevant.

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NickFun wrote:

real life wrote:
NickFun wrote:
They can try all they want slkshock7. I am quite secure in my faith and beliefs. But when certain Presidents start talking about how important it is that we teach "intelligent design" as an alternative to common sense then the politics of evangelical Christianity has gone too far.

Hi Nick,

Since you describe yourself as a Buddhist, may I ask you:

How did traditional Buddhism (pre-Darwin) account for the beginning of the Earth, and the origin of life on it, and the appearance of man on the Earth?

Buddhism defines life as being eternal - without beginning and without end. Likewise the Universe itself is infinite. I have never heard an explanation in pre-Darwin terms of how Buddhists suggested man first got here but it was definitely the result of a cause and effect relationship and not some master plan by an omnipotent deity. The Darwinian explanation suites me just fine.

Hi Nick,

You indicated you're comfortable with Darwinism. Does this include a beginning of life on Earth with chemicals putting themselves together into a living organism?

The reason I ask is that this would not seem to be consistent with the Buddhist position you cited regarding life being eternal.

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Political activism or evangelism? What's your choice?

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