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DeviantArtSecret — Secret. 6282
Published: 2009-06-19 22:28:15 +0000 UTC; Views: 2794; Favourites: 17; Downloads: 10
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The Secret teller would also like to say: "But, even putting the words 'Christianity' or 'God' into conversation will make most of my friends trash them without even giving God a chance."Send your secret to DeviantArtSecret@gmail.com
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Comments: 159
I see you side. I'm a Christian myself. My best friend is a Jehovah's Witness. I was authentically interested in learning her religion. The only thing stopping me from converting is that preaching is a big part of their beliefs. I'm afraid of offending others.
I respect what you're doing A LOT, but faith is something that you can only share to those who really believe they need God. Religion is something personal. I say, keep believing what you believe and if people have any questions, be open and answer them without going too overboard. It'll make it more inviting than seeming like you wanna force them into something they may not be comfortable with.
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I think that it's wonderful that you care enough about people to try and save them, I think it's really stunning.
However, alot of people feel that they are already saved, with their own religion or lack of it. Personally, I'm pagan, and I wouldn't go back to christianity for anything, because I love my religion with a passion.
I think if a person lives a good life and does good things, whatever religion they are, I think the Gods will forgive them their wrongs
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I appreciate that people who try to convert me are often jenuinely concerned about the state of my soul. However, I have my own beliefs.
For many people, they believe that their soul is going to the heaven or hell that their own religion puts forward, and it is you who are doomed for not believing. So 'find Jesus and save your soul' does the opposite of what you would like it to.
I personally feel that people who try to convert me instead of discussing our different beliefs are disregarding the fact that I have my own beliefs that may be just as deap and valid as their own.
This may or may not be the case, but that's how I feel all the same.
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no matter how much good you are trying to do not everyone wants to hear it.
some people don't want others to shove religion down their throats.
this is why me and a friend since the fourth grade are no longer friends.
she started preaching at me and frowning upon me because i read tarot and do things of that nature and refused to stop.
if they are meant to believe then someday they will.
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Use the gospel, eliminate your opinions. If someone doesn't want to hear they haven't rejected you, but they have rejected Jesus. Just pray for them afterwards. There are statistics too that say it takes about 6-7 times for a person to hear the gospel, to be saved.
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Thank you, and I really do mean that from the bottom of my heart, for caring. I do not believe in Him, but I do believe in people caring.
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I'm an atheist, and fully happy with who I am. My friends all know this, and they respect it, as I respect their religions. It all works out.
If you care about the people the way you say you do, respect their wishes, but, maybe let them know that you'll be there if they feel spiritually lost or something in that vein?
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I'd love to talk to someone about religion (mostly because the details have never been explained to me - people just seem to assume I know what's going on), but I hate being told that if I don't act in a certain way then I'm going to suffer for the rest of eternity. I would much rather talk to a person in a civilised, logical manner about the intricasies of any particular religion - just because I like to know how things work.
Besides, as far as I'm concerned, I'm going to be reincarnated. I don't care who does it or why, I just like the idea of it.
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Oh, and just be loving. We can only do so much. Present it, and then let it go. Let them know if they have questions, you're there. Don't beat them over the head with what you believe. We get a lot of flack because of those who don't present it in a loving way. Like I said in my other comment, God will take it from there.
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I don't know you, but I'll be praying for you, ST. All believers deal with this same issue. It's tough, but remember, you're doing your part. God takes care of the rest. Even if you plant a seed, you're doing great. We can't save them; we can just let them know the gift is there.
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People hate when people try to change their beliefs.
There is no place called hell. Hell is a person. Look it up.
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I'm curious - where would I look that up?
I'm not trying to be agressive, I'm honestly curious.
And I agree that people hate it when people try to change their beliefs.
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About Lady Hel: [link]
According to wiki: [link]
Hell was named after the Norse Goddess of death, Hel. The reason there is only one 'l' is because of the language structure, the translation was not given both 'l's. However, to make the pronunciation more obvious in English, a second 'l' was added. I'm cool with curiosity. 
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Ah, right that makes sense. I've heard of Hel before, but not for ages so I'd stopped linking her with the Christian Hell.
Though I thought that Hel was the name of the realm as well as the goddess... or Helheim as godchecker calls it.
It's strange how the dank underworld for those who died of natural causes in one religion has become the firey torture chamber for the unrightious of another.
I wouldn't say you were too mean 
Yes, I would think the best way to improve someone's chances for 'salvation' - if that's what the ST wants to do - would be to encourage goodness for goodness sake.
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Yes, her land is known as Helhiem which literally means "Hel's lands".
I suppose it is silly, but I say it because Hell was based off of the lady Hel.... but it is the same reason I can't honor other parts of that religion, because they were all 'rip offs' of other religions, then they go saying anyone who ISNT of this religion (Christian, right?) needs saving.
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Yeah, I know what you meen. I think that any historical events that /may/ have actually happened were changed to fit into already existing celebrations and traditions. I can't believe in a religion where their ideas are so clearly based on another which it then denounces. But my head isn't designed for religion, I'm too logical.
If I ever DO decide on a religion, it's probably going to be one of the ones which Christianity took from. Minus the massiah.
Arg. I really didn't meen to go off on a rant, I just do that sometimes. I hope I caused no offence.
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I like to believe I'm logical, but I can not denounce things 'because we don't see them/can't document them', such as spirits or the existence of a potential higher entity (or entities)...
Anyways a good 'basic religion' that was one of the ones stolen from is Paganism. I am not a Pagan, but REAL pagans (and not the ones who talk about the Goddess) are really down-to-earth good people. I don't know much about their practices (other than do unto others you'd have them do to you), but my pagan friends and their pagan families are really cool people.
I don't really practice religion, but I have a set of karma-enforced values. I think that to try to do good things in life is really all that matters.
It was nice chatting with you.
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I was thinking mainly of the ST when I said 'no offence', but I'm glad I caused you no offence either
I think that's probably the best way to go - Find a set of beliefs or values which resonate with you, whether they are from one or many 'official' sets.
Anyway, I can take a hint, lol. I'll leave you be now.
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Much love AntarticDreamer. I'm sure we'll figure out what we are supposed to do someday.
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Not at all! You can generally measure my interest by the length of my replies, hehe. But I know the feeling - I think I generally go on for far too long when I'm interested in something.
Much love to you too, DuskTheDemon
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I'm not entirely sure how to express my views on this, but I'll try, and I mean no offense.
All religion [yes, all] is based off of faith. Faith is important and keeps us sane. I do believe that there is something out there, but everyone has different faith. I, personally, have sat down and listened to the Gospel many, many times. I still don't believe it, and I'm not sure I would want to hear it again. Also, no one knows who's faith is correct, no matter how sure we may be that ours is. When someone doesn't want to listen to the Gospel, most times, they are not doing it to disrespect you. I would imagine that they're doing it because they don't believe the same as you. And I'm sure that as all of us know, it's really not cool to sit and listen to someone's differing beliefs if you're not allowing them to share theirs.
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I'm a Christian also, and I've meditated on this particular thing a bit... it seems like the right thing to do IS to try with all your might to "save" them (also, an agnostic friend of mine said using the word 'saving' was something that really put her off from listening to people about it), but... I've come to decide that the best thing to do is to make it known that you're a Christian (not in some self-righteous way though, just as a random fact about you), and live life in the way that makes other people curious about where you get this special light and viewpoint from. Then, hopefully, they will come to you about it. Or better yet, they'll ask themselves about it.
Just... find some way to try to make them think deeply about it. Maybe in an indirect way. Because it's my opinion that many people don't think about their belief (or nonbelief) as seriously as they should. And, really it is one of the if not the most important decision a person can make. But they need to come to those thoughts of their own free will.
Blerhgh, sorry if I'm wording things badly xD;
But good luck
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It's insulting, that's why people won't listen.
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Preaching to people = Wrong.
Suggesting religions = Wrong.
Let us decide on our own if we want to be preached religion to or not. If you preach religion to us when we don't want to listen, your preaching is going to fall on deaf ears.
Honestly.
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In this day, there are people who are not willing to hear. They are afraid, they don't want to know about it. But some of us, including myself, choose not to listen for other reasons. It's not that I don't listen really, I do, but it is not my belief. I patiently hear out anyone who has to say anything to me, religious or otherwise.
some of us have chosen another path of life, and will respectfully listen and politely disagree. I think its great that you can have such a profound belief in something, its amazing, but it's not for me. That doesn't necessarily mean that I'll go to hell, though. I don't think that. I'm not a bad person- i believe that since I do my best in life that I won't be damned for not believing in something. People tell me im almost revoltingly happy, and thats why- because I am content with all my actions and I know that I am doing my best to be the best person I can be.
I hope you get the same feeling from your beliefs, ST.
And I'm sure there will be people who will want to listen, but trying to force it on anyone will just make them want to run away. Be subtle- a lot of people in this day and age don't want anything to do with God. Just be who you are, and by being happy, and living your life, it will show people how good that way might be for them, just how by living my life and by being the best person I can be, people see how happy I am and see that living like that is good, at least in my opinion.
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As a Christian we are told to find "people of peace" which are really people who are ready and open to hear the word God puts those people in your path you just need to be ready to speak when the time is right. If you don't find a person of peace, or someone who isn't receptive then we are told to shake the dust off our feet and leave. God doesn't want us to frustrate ourselves and turn people who aren't ready to hear off by trying to force things on them. There are times where even if you spoon feed a person the truth they are still blinded to it, and that isn't the right time to talk to them.
The absolute best witness is to live your life for Christ, so that people see the difference in you. That and praying for them constantly is the best things you can do.
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My youth pastor says to shower them with kindness and share the gospel in ways they don't find as '
like just in everyday conversations when you are talking about something good in your life just say 'i think God did that' or something of the sort :]
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Personally if someone said 'God did it' every time something good happened, I'd find that more annoying than someone trying to preach at me
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Still, the point is there that it doesn't show respect for other peoples' beliefs.
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So, I'm not allowed to point out I believe in God?
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I didn't say that - I wasn't clear enough in my original commet. As an atheist, I would find it bloody annoying and a little offensive if someone attributed good things in my life to God.
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I understand that you want to share the "love" of "god".
But the truth is, like a bazillion other people have said that there are other religions and some people don't even believe in it at all.
Just don't do it. It is not only annoying, but it is pushing your belief on others who don't want to listen or believe in the same thing you believe it.
It's like giving someone who is lactose intolerant milk. It dosn't work and someone always ends up hurt. :/
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I can see what you're trying to do,
but people just don't want to hear this.
Not everyone has the same beliefs,
and to be honest, preachers are just annoying. Sorry.
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I'm not saying this to be mean but just to express my personal feelings on the topic.
To me I feel like trying to make me take one of those little gospels is insensitive to me and how it makes me feel. I get angry that people just assume I need saving. I'm perfectly happy with my religion and the people that stand in public handing those things out (to me) just seem like a reminder that it will be a long time before my religion becomes socially acceptable, and that makes me mad.
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Religion is like sexuality you can't make someone like something they don't like or believe something they don't believe.
Besides, I'm not christian, but from my catholic highschool I got the impression Christ wanted true believers not people you hassled into submission with the threat of hell fire.
It's nice you care ST but if your friends don't believe what you believe you personally can't do much to change that; only they can and only if they want to.
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I understand what you mean, ST. Some people just don't have the same beliefs. Religion is personal, in my opinion, and shouldn't be forced upon people. I think the best way to find religion, if you do, is to do it on your own time & own thinking instead of having someone talk it into them.
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I'm agnostic and I don't mind talking about religion, I actually enjoy having casual discussions about it. But I really dislike when people say they're trying to save me or something along those lines. I know that by not believing wholeheartedly I'm condemning myself to hell, and obviously I'm not that worried about it. You can't force people to believe in something they choose not to.
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I can see where you're coming from, ST, but also where they're coming from.
Though it may be unpalatble for you, perhaps you could merely try to open up the concept of religion for them, and not a specific one. Your friends might prefer some of the other religions out there, and most have their God[s]/Goddess[es] and those powers, if they choose to believe in them, will protect them.
I'm sorry for my suggestion probably not being ideal, and I'm anticipating the idea that "they're not the right God, they won't be saved", but at least it's some form of belief for them.
I also apologise for any cynicism this may have shown, but I'm not a fan of Christianity [4 years at a Catholic school] and other people may feel the same way, but be more open to other religions. Other religions usually preach the same values, so even if they're not Christian, they'd be living life well.
So maybe you should tell them that you're doing this because you care about them and want them to be safe, but also try and present it as a set of ideals to live by, rather than perhaps the typical view of Christianity they've obviously been exposed to.
Because if you at least live by values generally presented by religions, you shouldn't be going to anyone's form of hell for simply not believing in anyone's specific God, right?
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sometimes, you dont need to neccessarily share in your present meaning. people dont like to be preached at. sometimes all you need to do is be a friend and set an example, if youre not the one to lead them to the Lord then it okay. if it is in store for them then God will make it happen. just be there for them.
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Some of the comments here have utterly disgusted me. It doesn't take anymore energy to be polite then to be hateful towards the ST, and no doubt you message will be received much better. Explanations don't have to be shoved down peoples throats either, you know.
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...You know, it does suck to be the religious friend.
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I don't think my soul needs to be saved, personally.
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I was just about to write that. c;
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Yay! That makes two that believe they're not going to hell for doing absolutely nothing wrong, asides from "not believing".. 
I'm not completely sure how that's even justified.. oh well!
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Just be yourself and live your life in a Christ-like way. Usually that can do more and show more than trying to cram the gospel through someones throat.
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