First post

[R0cketer]

Do you think that the word of God should be forced into people? I know we should try to lead people to God, but you can't 'scare the hell (literally) out of people'. Hell is a horrible place if you believe, no question. However if God wanted to, couldn't he cause dead bodies to appear before any unsaved person and tell them to be saved or go to hell? I mean he is God, so he has the power, but he knocks at a persons heart, asking them to open the door and let him in, he doesn't kick the door off. He could, but its a choice he provides. Is that wrong?

[MikMo]

This is a central argument in a post of mine in another thread. A lot of churches are like that, trying to force the Word on you. When I used to live in Bristol, we went to a different church one Sunday. Me and my cousin went into the Sunday School for the kids and the teacher took me and her into one of the rooms, asked us to pray, then told us we were saved. Now do you think an 11 or 12 year old understands that? After we moved back here, my mother and I attended a church where near the end of every service, the preacher would always walk through the crowd asking random people "are you ready to get saved?" Bottom line is that no man can bring you salvation. You have to be touched by the Holy Spirit(or, as my Mother's congregation used to call it, the "Holy Ghost")...then, you're ready.

I AGREE. BUT JUST BECAUSE SOMEONE IS PUSHY DOESN'T MEAN THAT THEY ARE FORCEFUL. DO YOU AGREE?

I Agree. But just because someone is pushy doesn't mean that they are forceful. Do you agree?

(See how much easier that is to read

IT is Easy TO read EITHER wAY.

[MikMo]

Well, if I wanted to go to church, I wouldn't want someone either pushy or forceful, forcing the Word of God down my throat.

What do you consider to be pushy or forceful? Let me give an example... if a preacher says accept Jesus or you will go to hell? Is that forceful to you? If so it shouldn't be because he is only preaching what the Bible says... there is no salvation without Jesus... here is another... if a pastor preaches about certain sins and that is going on in your life at the time and he keeps on saying it over and over... you need to repent... is that pushy? Well it shouldnt be... he is not pushing anything except the words of God in the Bible... the problem could be that we are enjopying what we are doing and when we are confronted in eather manner we take an offense to it and become defensive... ahh is that the answer. If not give me some examples please.

[MikMo]

No need...tired of this discussion.

[plantsman]

Most churches like the concept of convert or be damned. That way, they don't have the responsibility of truly knowing and understanding what they believe. I, too, don't want things forced on me. Whatever happened to civil debate, recourse, and discussion?