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Why do Christians Bother Others with their Faith?!I have sometimes wondered why atheists bother others with their atheism. Well, I kind of received that answer a long time ago. But here is the counter question asked by some atheists. Why do Christians bother others with their faith? Why do Christians seek to rule over others with their religious ideas?
This question is of the kind that hides a whole series of doubts about the motifs of Christians. Let’s have a look at some of these preconceived ideas about us.
Power-hungry Christians
You might have heard this accusation before. The only reason for Christianity to exist it to subjugate people. Christianity must have been made up by power-hungry people and thus many Christians today still want to subdue others.
Basically, there are unbelievers who just hate the idea that Christians get to say what one can do and what not. They particularly hate it when Christians seem to think that they know what is good for them, and that they (the Christians) seem to operate in the name of God.
Earthly Matters
If you listen carefully to this complained it seems that many, who use this argument, think that Christians are more interested in having power here on earth than later in heaven.
However, what they forget is that orthodox Christianity teaches that Jesus physically rose from the grave on the third day. We believe, with very good reasons, that Christ is real and alive today. Because of this we know that one day we will be resurrected and live an eternal live with Christ on a new earth. This means that a Christian’s hope is not on earthly matters, but on an everlasting life with God.
So, even though there might be the one or two odd ones out, overall, Christians are not hugely interested in having a big ruling position here on earth. No worries! I’ll get back to this statement later. But first let’s have a look at two bible verses to back this idea up.
Hebrews 12:2
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
2 Peter 3:13
Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
Legislating all Sorts of Stuff
Okay, be that as it may, why than do Christians try to ban the teaching of woke-ism in schools. Why do we oppose abortion? Why do we not acknowledge gay-marriage? Why do we speak out against the so-called drag-queens reading books to toddlers? What is this thing about speaking out against euthanasia? Or in other words, why do we try to gain power in politics, organisations, schools and what not, if we are not interested in earthly matters?
Morality and Rights
And now we get to the nitty-gritty of the issue. Even though a Christian isn’t power-hungry, the Christian ought to understand Who he serves. Christians believe in an all-powerful, all-loving God. This God created us in His image. He loves us and endowed us with unalienable or deep-rooted rights. He created us with intrinsic moral value.
Objective Morality
Okay, this is going to be the fun part of this article. I expect that many will not like this next part.
We believe that there are objective morals that cannot change over time. We believe that it is God Who gave us these morals and that nobody can change them as they please.
This comes across as being arrogant to many. How dare we say that we know what is right and what is wrong, because, so they say, that what is right for one might be wrong for another. But Geisler said it like this: If morality ‘can mean anything for anyone, then it means nothing for everyone.’i
So, from this point of view we look with different eyes at things like LGBTI+, abortion, euthanasia, drag-queens who read books to toddles, and what not. In the Christian world-view it cannot be that killing a baby in one situation and saving a baby in another is equally okay. In the Christian world-view it cannot be equally okay that at one centre confused teenagers receive mental help, and in the other they receive information about how to get rid of those parts that are so distinct for either women or men.
Christians Treasure People
If we believe this, and I am very strong on this, we also have to do as our Lord and Saviour did—that is to treasure people. The fact that so many Christians try to avoid other people from getting hurt, is not an attempt to appease their own lust for power. It is because they genuinely treasure the lives of those who can’t defend themselves, or of those who seem to be lost in their thinking. Christians ought to care about people whose lives are about to be unashamedly destroyed.
Relentless Love
Insofar there are those who say that they are Christian but misuse their position to abuse or mistreat others, we can safely say they do not live in agreement with their professed Christian world-view.
The Christian can use his position to champion the lives of, for example, the unborn. This is no abuse but rather a demonstration of the love they have for the weak.
Jesus showed us that love is sacrificial.
1 John 3:16
Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
He also demonstrated that love is caring.
John 13:33-34
Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you. A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
And in that last sentence we can also see that love is a commanded directly given by the Lord.
Also, the love we have needs to be visible.
John 13:35
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
Finally, we see that Jesus’ love was totally committed to fulfil.
John 13:1
Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
Love is about being dedicated to the best interests of the other person. Real love is a devoted and compassionate dedication that, in following Jesus’ teachings, demonstrates itself by striving for the utmost well-being of the beloved individual.
Stubborn but not Power-hungry
I understand it is a thin line on which we treat when it comes to express the love we have for our neighbours. It can quickly result in a power-grab in which we are no longer concerned about the example Jesus gave. Still, throughout the ages we have seen Christians in very influential positions who used their office for the benefit of others. They stubbornly lived out the command of loving their neighbour as themselves.
Many unbelievers will not accept this explanation of Christians. They simply feel that they are restricted by Christian ideas about for example gay-marriage and abortion. Long story short, many just want to live their lives as they please and will regard everyone and everything that restricts them as oppressive.
Romans 8:7
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
This might not very nice to say but someone who does not have the Holy Spirit cannot understand the things of God. They will pick and choose as they please. Many use the world slogan: “That what is good for you, might not be good for me.”
Continue Bothering Others with your Faith
Colossians 4:5-6
Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
Professing Christian have to stand up for the weak. Jesus walked among us, showing love, but His love also compelled Him to expose evil. And we need to know that evil does not become good when someone feels like it, or when a government deems it good. Evil is evil and that will never change because God and His word will never change.
Isaiah 40:8
The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
Don’t be afraid of the accusations people will bring at your door. You just need to do that what is right, and the Lord will be with you.
Luke 12:11-12
And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: for the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.
In conclusion
All the great changes in the world have been brought about by proactive people. We Christians should not sit back! Jesus was not silent, He actively obeyed God in everything. We should follow His example!
In any case, thank you very much for reading.
I wish you God’s rich blessings!
Endnotes
i Geisler, N. L., ‘Can Atheists Justify Being Good Without God?’, Articles by Dr. Geisler website (13 May 2024, http://normangeisler.com/can-atheists-justify-being-good-without-god/).
