# Fuck you, Christian Evangelists! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 24, 2003, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-christian-evangelists/184148 "2003-06-24T22:01:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![kung\_fu\_lola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f4b2a3/32.png) [@kung\_fu\_lola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kung_fu_lola)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2003, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-christian-evangelists/184148/81 "2003-06-25T21:15:52Z")
There is one Ultimate, vanilla, and S/He is more awesome, wise, loving and merciful than anyone you or I or Jack Chick could ever imagine and we’d be profoundly stupid to try, being little tiny human beans. Sometimes the wisest thing to do is acknowledge your limitations. Re: the OP. I hear you. The **worst** thing about those raving fundies is their self-satisfied smugness. It’s infuriating. When people are so arrogant and self-righteous, you just want to smack them with a shovel. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2003, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-christian-evangelists/184148/82 "2003-06-25T21:28:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by vanilla \* > \*\*oh. > well, okay then. > good point. > (how many Gods are there then?) \*\* About six billion, give or take. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2003, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-christian-evangelists/184148/83 "2003-06-25T21:53:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by rjung \* > \*\*The SDMB came to your door one morning, interrupted your breakfast, and told you that you were living a “sinful” life and needed to be “saved”? > > Where do I sign up for door-to-door SDMB service? \*\* I wasn’t comparing them to door-to-door witnesses. Aren’t those people annoying? > [@](#): > > the OP said he wasn’t talking about all christian evangelists, so your arguement about not all christian evanglists is completely irrelevant to this discussion. I know he had the standard disclaimer that not all Christians are pricks, yada yada. But he did say (or strongly imply) that Christians who go to other countries and share their faith (or heaven forbid just pray for the locals) are assholes. Maybe he was just referring to those that go into war zones. In any case, he’s wrong. _Some_ of them surely are assholes, but most of them are not. Same as any other group of people. ---
**Author:** ![lezlers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/258eb7/32.png) [@lezlers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lezlers)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2003, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-christian-evangelists/184148/84 "2003-06-25T21:53:14Z")
That’s the thing about missionaries. They believe their intentions are good and noble and don’t even realize that they’re being insulting to others in what they do. Think of it like the anti-pop up ads that are, ironically enough, pop-ups. They’ll come up on your screen (until you figure out how to disable them) every 10 minutes saying something like “hate pop-ups? Buy our product!” They’re _creating_ the problem, and then offering a solution. When evangelists come to your door and tell you that you’re living a life of sin, or you’re going to go to hell or whatever, they’re creating a problem. But it can be fixed. By converting to their chosen religion (whatever it may be). Creating a problem and providing a solution. I would never buy anti pop-up software that was advertised in the form of a pop-up because to me, that’s a highly obnoxious form of advertising. Almost like they’re bullying you into buying their product. For the same reasons, I would never convert to any religion that tried to witness me. I’m not going to join your religion because you tried to bully me into it by telling me I’m going to hell if I don’t. If you truly wanted to spread the word of Jesus, you’d be there waiting to talk if someone wanted to. You’d do community service, pray for them, whatever. Let the people come to you, don’t run to them and get in their faces. Don’t tell them that they’re beliefs are wrong, and yours are right. Everyone’s beliefs are right, _to them_. That’s all that really matters. Believe me, if someone’s looking for religion (or a different religion than what they already believe in), they’ll seek _you_ out. ---
**Author:** ![lezlers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/258eb7/32.png) [@lezlers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lezlers)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2003, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-christian-evangelists/184148/85 "2003-06-25T21:57:49Z")
**Skammer** , we just posted at the same time so I don’t want you to think I ignored you agreeing with the fact that door to door witnesses suck. But a group of missionaries going to a country that is predominantly a religion other than Christianity and _aren’t_ witnessing? That’s rather hard to believe. ---
**Author:** ![lynn73](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ebca7d/32.png) [@lynn73](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lynn73)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2003, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-christian-evangelists/184148/86 "2003-06-25T22:13:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by rjung \* > \*\* > [li]And if that’s not bad enough, these idiots end up _endangering_ the people they’re trying to “save” – “A 2001 study prepared for the Southern Baptist Convention’s International Mission Board … describes his experience in a country where, he claims, ‘the majority of believers in Jesus Christ were systematically hunted down and martyred.’ Such perils support the missionary argument that some Muslims remain in the fold less out of faith than out of fear. But the persecution poses for evangelists an additional and potentially embarrassing problem of relative risk, given that (notwithstanding the four recent deaths) **converts are in far greater jeopardy than those who brought them to Christ.** ”[/li] \*\* Depends on what perspective you have. Which is better, to be in danger in this life or to be in danger after you die? Yes, Christians should try to reach the Muslims for Christ. Jesus said to go unto all the world and preach the gospel to everyone, that includes Muslims. There are worses things than physical suffering and death even though it’s hard for us to realize that as long as we live in this world. Evangelists are simply doing what Jesus told His followers to do. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2003, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-christian-evangelists/184148/87 "2003-06-25T22:15:56Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Skammer_ > I know he had the standard disclaimer that not all Christians are pricks, yada yada. But he did say (or strongly imply) that Christians who go to other countries and share their faith (or heaven forbid just pray for the locals) are assholes. Maybe he was just referring to those that go into war zones. In any case, he’s wrong. Some of them surely are assholes, but most of them are not. Same as any other group of people. Actually, he made a clear distinction between the missionaries he was ranting against, and the ones in the country making an honest effort to help and communicate with the locals. Viz: > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by rjung_ > It turns out that oftentimes these “outspoken” eangelicals end up screwing things up for all local Chjristian aid-workers. “Missionaries also face charges of neglectful carelessness regarding reprisals they sometimes bring down on pre-existing Christian churches and nonevangelistic aid groups. Says Lamin Sanneh, a Muslim convert to Catholicism who teaches the history of world Christianity at Yale: ‘They come in, don’t report to the local churches, stir up a hornet’s nest and then quit town when the going gets tough. Why start a controversy if you’re not there to face the brunt of it?’” All that Bible study, and still no reading comprehension. Makes ya think, don’t it? ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2003, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-christian-evangelists/184148/88 "2003-06-25T22:20:09Z")
**His4ever** , it’s not that they’re trying to evangelize, it’s that they are doing so in a way that puts themselves, their fellow missionaries, and their targets in greater jeopardy, and possibly turning them off of Christianity. And they’re LYING about their purposes-bearing false witness? Remember what St. Francis of Assisi said? “Preach the Gospel at all times. If necessary, use words.” ---
**Author:** ![lynn73](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ebca7d/32.png) [@lynn73](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lynn73)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2003, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-christian-evangelists/184148/89 "2003-06-25T22:21:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by vanilla \* > \*\*Somehow i doubt you’ll be so bold when you see Him face to face. > dude. \*\* Exactly. I think a lot of people’s laughing and course jokes about God will end immediately, in fact I know it will. ---
**Author:** ![lynn73](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ebca7d/32.png) [@lynn73](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lynn73)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2003, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-christian-evangelists/184148/90 "2003-06-25T22:22:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Guinastasia \* > \*\ ***His4ever** , it’s not that they’re trying to evangelize, it’s that they are doing so in a way that puts themselves, their fellow missionaries, and their targets in greater jeopardy, and possibly turning them off of Christianity. And they’re LYING about their purposes-bearing false witness? > > Remember what St. Francis of Assisi said? “Preach the Gospel at all times. If necessary, use words.” \*\* I see. ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2003, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-christian-evangelists/184148/91 "2003-06-25T22:22:37Z")
> [@](#): > > Exactly. I think a lot of people’s laughing and course jokes about God will end immediately, in fact I know it will You know nothing of the sort, you ignorant woman. ---
**Author:** ![newcrasher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b3f665/32.png) [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2003, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-christian-evangelists/184148/92 "2003-06-25T22:22:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Read\_Neck \* > \*\*Organized religion is the #1 murderer of mankind. \*\* Hey **Read Neck** I have to take issue with your statement… How many deaths can you attribute to organized religion? More than the holocaust? More than the Soviet pograms? More than the Communist Revolution in China? More than Pol Pot? …just to mention a few. it seems despotic rulers with a socialist bent would claim top honors here… ---
**Author:** ![lynn73](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ebca7d/32.png) [@lynn73](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lynn73)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2003, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-christian-evangelists/184148/93 "2003-06-25T22:30:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by gobear \* > \*\*You know nothing of the sort, you ignorant woman. \*\* Your opinion, of course. My ignorance is also a matter of opinion, which not everyone shares. ---
**Author:** ![Binarydrone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@Binarydrone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Binarydrone)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2003, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-christian-evangelists/184148/94 "2003-06-25T22:37:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by newcrasher \* > \*\*Hey **Read Neck** I have to take issue with your statement… > > How many deaths can you attribute to organized religion? > > More than the holocaust? > > More than the Soviet pograms? > > More than the Communist Revolution in China? > > More than Pol Pot? > > …just to mention a few. > > it seems despotic rulers with a socialist bent would claim top honors here… \*\* ---
**Author:** ![Binarydrone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@Binarydrone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Binarydrone)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2003, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-christian-evangelists/184148/95 "2003-06-25T22:44:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by newcrasher \* > \*\*Hey **Read Neck** I have to take issue with your statement… > > How many deaths can you attribute to organized religion? > > More than the holocaust? > > More than the Soviet pograms? > > More than the Communist Revolution in China? > > More than Pol Pot? > > …just to mention a few. > > it seems despotic rulers with a socialist bent would claim top honors here… \*\* Not 100% sure, but I think that the two could be pretty close. Consider: [ul] [li]The Crusades.[/li][li]The Inquisition.[/li][li]Witch trials.[/li][li]Etc. [/li][/ul] [I found this site rather interesting](http://users.erols.com/mwhite28/warstat0.htm#n.1) ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2003, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-christian-evangelists/184148/96 "2003-06-25T22:55:22Z")
The holocaust could not have happened without a millenium of antissemitism being preached from the pupits. Pogroms against jews were a proud Christian tradition in Eastern Europe. The holocaust was just the ultimate pogrom. Hitler didn’t create antisemitism, antisemitism created Hitler. ---
**Author:** ![newcrasher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b3f665/32.png) [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2003, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-christian-evangelists/184148/97 "2003-06-25T22:55:45Z")
Below is a link to many opinions of death counts for the 20th century. I dare say you will not find facts or figures from religious persecutions to match killing in the name of socialism. [http://users.erols.com/mwhite28/warstat8.htm](http://users.erols.com/mwhite28/warstat8.htm) But I am intersted to see what you come up with… I have been to Salem and don’t remember there being a terrible number of deaths attributed to the witch hunts… ---
**Author:** ![newcrasher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b3f665/32.png) [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2003, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-christian-evangelists/184148/98 "2003-06-25T23:07:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Diogenes the Cynic \* > \*\*The holocaust could not have happened without a millenium of antissemitism being preached from the pupits. Pogroms against jews were a proud Christian tradition in Eastern Europe. The holocaust was just the ultimate pogrom. Hitler didn’t create antisemitism, antisemitism created Hitler. \*\* OK I will give you the 7 million figure traditionally accepted for the holocaust as being “caused” by religion… but I think it is a stretch… But to what do you attribute the millions killed by Mao? Imperial Japan in its early 20th century expansion? Non-jews killed by Lenin and Stalin? American Indians killed by the US Cavalry? Pol Pot? Kim Il Sung of N. Korea? Saddam Hussein during Iran/Iraq war? Yahya Khan of Pakistan? Pash Enver of Turkey? I still stand by my assertion that religion is NOT the number one cause of mass murder… ---
**Author:** ![Read\_Neck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e19b73/32.png) [@Read\_Neck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Read_Neck)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2003, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-christian-evangelists/184148/99 "2003-06-26T00:11:40Z")
Since World History doesn’t begin and end in the 20th Century I’ll stand by mine. (Excellent source Binarydrone,Thanks.) ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2003, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-christian-evangelists/184148/100 "2003-06-26T00:18:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Skammer \* > > > [@](#): > > > > The SDMB came to your door one morning, interrupted your breakfast, and told you that you were living a “sinful” life and needed to be “saved”? > > I wasn’t comparing them to door-to-door witnesses. No, but you were comparing them to the SDMB, in terms of exposing you to ideas which challenged your beliefs. My point is that you _came_ to the SDMB voluntarily, whereas these evangelicals _seek out_ the folks they’re trying to “save.” The only way the two would be comparable is if either (1) the SDMB came to your home and seeked you out, or (2) the Evangelicals didn’t actively seek out targets. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-christian-evangelists/184148.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-you-christian-evangelists/184148.md?page=6)