# 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:** 14\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2024, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-opinion-regarding-public-evangelism/996283/121 "2024-04-21T15:17:49Z")
Moderating: I have already asked DrDeth to drop the subject, so please don’t ask him to respond to it. Everyone: complaining that this thread about anti-Christian bigotry is off topic ---
**Author:** ![Midtown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@Midtown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Midtown)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2024, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-opinion-regarding-public-evangelism/996283/122 "2024-04-21T16:17:45Z")
Person A stands on a soap box with a cheap audio system loudly espousing opinions I disagree with then goes out and blocks traffic. Person A is a public evangelist jerk. Person B stands on a soap box with a cheap audio system loudly espousing opinions I agree with then goes out and blocks traffic. Person B is exercising his constitutional rights. And is a hero making our society better. ---
**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 21, 2024, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-opinion-regarding-public-evangelism/996283/123 "2024-04-21T16:21:36Z")
So, is the definition of “public evangelism” strictly defined as “standing on a soapbox with a cheap audio system”? ---
**Author:** ![Midtown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@Midtown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Midtown)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2024, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-opinion-regarding-public-evangelism/996283/124 "2024-04-21T16:23:59Z")
I’d be happy to use your definition. What is it? ---
**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 21, 2024, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-opinion-regarding-public-evangelism/996283/125 "2024-04-21T16:25:13Z")
Would you mind answering my question first? Is what I posted your definition, or not? ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2024, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-opinion-regarding-public-evangelism/996283/126 "2024-04-21T16:27:20Z")
That’s pretty much explicitly what the OP said he was discussing. ---
**Author:** ![Midtown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@Midtown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Midtown)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2024, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-opinion-regarding-public-evangelism/996283/127 "2024-04-21T16:31:40Z")
No I have not defined public evangelism. I gave two similar examples of what might be considered public evangelism. ---
**Author:** ![Midtown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@Midtown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Midtown)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2024, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-opinion-regarding-public-evangelism/996283/128 "2024-04-21T16:34:36Z")
> [@philipdalton](#): > > I’m talking about those who forcibly subject others to their beliefs by standing there preaching with microphones, whether in the shopping precinct, at gay events or outside abortion clinics. From the OP ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2024, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-opinion-regarding-public-evangelism/996283/129 "2024-04-21T16:40:51Z")
They are both jerks. ---
**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 21, 2024, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-opinion-regarding-public-evangelism/996283/130 "2024-04-21T18:35:02Z")
When one says “Go to hell” it is hyperbole. When the other says it, it is said literally. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2024, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-opinion-regarding-public-evangelism/996283/131 "2024-04-21T19:54:57Z")
> [@Larry\_Borgia](#): > > They are both jerks Yep. In fact, if someone whose views I agree with is being an obnoxious jerk it bothers me more, because then I get tainted by their bad behavior. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2024, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-opinion-regarding-public-evangelism/996283/132 "2024-04-23T02:29:48Z")
“Trock.” New word to me, and I get it: troll and sock rolled up into one. ---
**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 23, 2024, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-opinion-regarding-public-evangelism/996283/133 "2024-04-23T03:14:57Z")
I don’t believe its ever worked. A woman from my church is moving into my building. I was telling her about my friend who lives on our floor, who seems to be into the occult, and has been told if she doesn’t get saved, she’ll go to hell. She replied, I guess I’m going to hell then. The church lady said, I will witness to her. Ya know, I hang out with her, she knows me. I have given my opinion when asked ( do you believe in ghosts?). Its like, you think its never occured to me to witness to her? ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2024, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-opinion-regarding-public-evangelism/996283/134 "2024-04-23T17:37:49Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > > [@Larry\_Borgia](#): > > > > They are both jerks > > Yep. In fact, if someone whose views I agree with is being an obnoxious jerk it bothers me more, because then I get tainted by their bad behavior. Ditto. I’ve seen several of the first sort. I find them slightly amusing, if they aren’t blocking traffic too badly. I’ll sometimes listen for a bit. I’d be really upset by the second. Shit, man, this stuff matters. Do it right. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-opinion-regarding-public-evangelism/996283.md?page=6)