# What is your opinion regarding public evangelism? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 18, 2024, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-opinion-regarding-public-evangelism/996283 "2024-01-18T18:23:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2024, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-opinion-regarding-public-evangelism/996283/81 "2024-01-21T02:49:04Z")
> [@carrps](#): > > Great answer. Way back when I was in college (the 70s), I only remember Campus Crusade for Christ. One of my friends (Jewish) was asked by one of these imported “Christians” if he could see her horns. I remember joining the Catholic Campus Ministry at the University (in the South) I was at 30+ years ago. I wasn’t practicing Catholic, but had been raised Catholic, and they had a drunk driving prevention program I wanted to participate in. My roommate was part of Campus Crusade for Christ. He was from Ecuador which at the time was a predominantly and pervasively Catholic country. He not only had grotesquely hostile opinions of Jews, but he thought my participation in Catholic activities was dangerously flirting with Evil. In six years at universities in the US he had gone from nominally Catholic to thinking the Church was a tool of the Antichrist/Satan/Harlot. I gave him a wide berth for the rest of the semester. He and his friends were otherwise very nice. Just occasionally would say frightening things about religion. ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2024, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-opinion-regarding-public-evangelism/996283/82 "2024-01-21T03:52:06Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > According to this(and many other religious websites) there are numerous Biblical verses telling us that public prayer is proper and, at times required. [Are you afraid to pray in public? Are you embarrassed at praying out loud? Here’s how to pray in public. (whatchristianswanttoknow.com)](https://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/how-to-pray-in-public/) > You can justify almost any previously held belief with Bible verses and “spiritual guidance” My guess is that street-corner Jesus-shouters like Brother Jed have a different Bible passage in mind - Matthew 5:10-11: _Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake._ They’re looking for confrontation and abuse, because that means they’re doing the Lord’s work; and of course, someone’s paying attention to them - I suspect narcissism plays a part in making someone a street-corner ranter. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2024, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-opinion-regarding-public-evangelism/996283/83 "2024-01-21T16:16:50Z")
Street evangelism may be a sign of psychosis for some people. I sympathize with them and hope they get the support they need. However, I also think the city should limit the noise they make (for example, by banning megaphones in public areas). But not all street evangelists have mental health issues. Some are just rude and disruptive. They should be actively encouraged to respect the public and lower their voices. ---
**Author:** ![philipdalton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/85e7bf/32.png) [@philipdalton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/philipdalton)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2024, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-opinion-regarding-public-evangelism/996283/84 "2024-01-21T22:20:17Z")
The most forceful ones are reminiscent of this fellow, anyone remember him: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/f59Etk2PeU8/maxresdefault.jpg "Brookside: Greg Salter & Barry Grant vs Simon Howe (12th October 1994)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f59Etk2PeU8) ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2024, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-opinion-regarding-public-evangelism/996283/85 "2024-01-27T00:23:15Z")
In general? Full marks for zeal. Full marks for obeying the Great Charter. Big fat ZERO on the whole “shaking their dust from your feet” bit. (And in my scoring system, the categories multiply to determine final assessment.) ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2024, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-opinion-regarding-public-evangelism/996283/86 "2024-01-27T01:35:26Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > Performative and likely pathological histrionics. I used to think this, but then one day I heard this guy and my life has not been the same since: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/D1gl46hh3sQ/maxresdefault.jpg "Dizzee Rascal - Bassline Junkie (Explicit) [Official Video]") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1gl46hh3sQ) ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2024, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-opinion-regarding-public-evangelism/996283/87 "2024-04-16T17:32:13Z")
Some students at my high school realized that those little giveaway Bibles have very small, thin pages that could be used as rolling papers. I’m sure the Gideons were very happy that there was so much interest in their materials from the students! ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2024, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-opinion-regarding-public-evangelism/996283/88 "2024-04-16T17:36:02Z")
Chronicles 4.20 Ha, I forget what movie thats from. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2024, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-opinion-regarding-public-evangelism/996283/89 "2024-04-16T18:47:26Z")
I’ve heard that’s a common use for them in prison, too. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2024, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-opinion-regarding-public-evangelism/996283/90 "2024-04-16T21:17:38Z")
I or II Chronicles? I Chronicles 4:20: > **[1 Chronicles 4:20 And the sons of Shimon were, Amnon, and Rinnah, Ben-hanan,...](https://www.bible.com/bible/1/1CH.4.20.KJV)** > > And the sons of Shimon were, Amnon, and Rinnah, Ben-hanan, and Tilon. And the sons of Ishi were, Zoheth, and Ben-zoheth. II Chronicles 4:20: > **[2 Chronicles 4:20-22 the lampstands of pure gold with their lamps, to burn in...](https://www.bible.com/bible/compare/2CH.4.20-22)** > > the lampstands of pure gold with their lamps, to burn in front of the inner sanctuary as prescribed; > the gold floral work and lamps and tongs (they were solid gold); > the pure gold wick trimmers, sprin Solomon was also responsible for the furniture... ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2024, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-opinion-regarding-public-evangelism/996283/91 "2024-04-16T21:36:12Z")
It was said by Cedric. 4.20 refers to weed and chronic does also. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2024, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-opinion-regarding-public-evangelism/996283/92 "2024-04-16T22:02:47Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > Seriously, if you want me to see something brief, post it. If you want me to see something brief embedded in a REALLY LONG, BORING video, post which minutes of the video are worth listening to. Please. ^ This. Not everyone wants to sit through 20-60 minutes of crap to get to the couple minutes the poster of said link wants you to see. Unless it’s a form of stealth preaching/proselytizing, which is not appreciated either. And - goddamn - how do you keep those videos from spontaneously starting up again while you’re reading the rest of the thread? ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2024, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-opinion-regarding-public-evangelism/996283/93 "2024-04-16T22:10:31Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > And - goddamn - how do you keep those videos from spontaneously starting up again while you’re reading the rest of the thread? Refresh the page. Took me a while to figure that out. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2024, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-opinion-regarding-public-evangelism/996283/94 "2024-04-18T22:45:54Z")
> [@scudsucker](#): > > At the end station there was a preacher who **sung** gospel really badly and very loudly and interspersed his songs with prayer and exhotations. _sang_ #preaching\_the\_gospel\_of\_using\_the\_proper\_verb\_form ---
**Author:** ![Midtown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@Midtown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Midtown)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2024, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-opinion-regarding-public-evangelism/996283/95 "2024-04-18T23:45:44Z")
I think the majority, if not all, comments have been about Christian weirdos trying to force their opinion on others. Which I would agree is a pain in the ass. But the definition is broader than that. convert or attempt to convert (someone) from one religion, belief, or opinion to another. So I think that would include, a lot of other groups. From silly things like Star Trek is better than Star Wars, to nationalized healthcare is better than non nationalized healthcare. There are not a lot, or any, Christian preachers on this message board. But plenty of people attempting to convert people’s belief or opinion to another. If you have gotten into any sort of political, religious, or opinionated debate in a public message board. You are a public proselyters. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2024, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-opinion-regarding-public-evangelism/996283/96 "2024-04-18T23:47:57Z")
> [@Midtown](#): > > But plenty of people attempting to convert people’s belief or opinion to another You’re wrong- and I bet I can convince you of that. ---
**Author:** ![Midtown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@Midtown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Midtown)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2024, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-opinion-regarding-public-evangelism/996283/97 "2024-04-19T00:01:51Z")
Don’t proselytize me publicly. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2024, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-opinion-regarding-public-evangelism/996283/98 "2024-04-19T00:03:24Z")
Does that mean it is o.k. to come to your house and do it? 😁 ---
**Author:** ![Midtown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@Midtown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Midtown)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2024, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-opinion-regarding-public-evangelism/996283/99 "2024-04-19T00:09:35Z")
Are you referring to you converting me to Christianity or signing a petition to nationalize healthcare? Neither would be acceptable. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2024, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-opinion-regarding-public-evangelism/996283/100 "2024-04-19T00:13:39Z")
> [@xtenkfarpl](#): > > Cults don’t get tax breaks. Explain Scientology, then. (please don’t, actually) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-opinion-regarding-public-evangelism/996283.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-opinion-regarding-public-evangelism/996283.md?page=6)