Question of how to tell Muslims/Hindus/Buddists etc about Jesus

[Zane]

Hi, Im at Uni so theres lots of people here who don't know Jesus, or have a different picture of God than is protrayed by Christ. And I was wondering if there are any Christians here who were from a Musilm/Hindu/Buddist/New Age-celtic stuff or whatever, background and can tell me about some serious flaws in those respective religions.

Like I told my Hindu friend about Jesus, the choice he faces etc, he understood it all and was like 'thats cool, because every religion has their own Gods, but (all ways lead to the top of the mountain idea)' and there was nothing I could say which would kinda 'nag' at him, or get him uncomfortable about Hell, God, Satan anything!! And I can usually pick some easy holes in their train of thoughts, but it was actually fustrating for a change.

So if anyone knows any loop-holes in their thinking from inside experiece or just reading could you please pm me if this get locked or post here and explain some areas where they would feel uneasy about their religion. (kinda like non-christians will bring up the problem of evil for christians, that kinda thing). Thank you.

[LorentzForce]

Don't. All you have to do is be the best Christian model you can possibly be. Be nice to other people. Pray before you eat your lunch in front of your friends. Show the goodness of being a Christian.

I realised that telling other people (unless they didn't knew in the first place) about Jesus is kinda annoying, and more likely to make them dislike Christianity even more. Telling that they're wrong is even more annoying, and often leads to violent fights amongst groups (note what happens around the world even now with all the wars and such). Just be a good Christian model, and sooner or later they'll turn their heads and go "Hmm, he/she's different, and I wonder why, better ask".

[edit] Oh yeah, it's also a sad fact that not everyone goes to heaven in the end, even if we all pray about it. Sad fact about life really, so get over it as fast as you can.

[termyt]

I don't think there are any loop holes you can exploit. The fact that you are speaking the truth is the only real loop hole. The rest is up to the individual you are talking to. I'm sure he has questions about his own faith, most people do, so if you could learn those questions, you cold give him the true answers. If he is strong in his faith, I doubt you will be able to change his mind, but you may be able to put the first chink in his armor by passionately and compassionately defending your own faith.

[Heart of Sword]

You can't shove it down their throats...so I'd tell them the scripture where Jesus says that He is: "the way, the truth, and the life. No one can get to the Father (God) but through me."

I'll be praying for you, though! Set a good example and stay strong.

[Dragon Master]

I have too much to say to type it here, but if you want I'll PM you on what I learned in a thing we did all year on the basis of what we belive, what other denominations belive, and what other cults/religions belive.

[JediSonic]

What denomination are you, dragonmaster?

Getting a little more back on topic... I know how frustrating it is to debate religion with someone else when you know you're right, but they feel the same way! Happens to me all the time! With me, its usually against other christians (protestants) though (I'm catholic).

Just last weekend, I was talking to a group of pro-choice, gay-supporting band members at our All-State competition. We debated for a while, but the person I was mainly talking to seemed to be more interested in stubbornly holding on to their opinion than listening to reason. Or to be socially correct, my idea of reason

But really, thats what will invariably happen when you try to force your beleifs on someone -- at least in my experience -- people get so caught up in the heat of the argument that they cant afford to lose and sometimes, both sides will end up very closed-minded to the other side of the argument and angry at the other person. I can speak from experience.. every time in my LIFE I've had a debate with someone on my religion, I liked that person less at the end of it than I did before! And I'm usually the one who started it!

I'm not trying to say that evangelization isnt important; its extremely important. How you go about doing it, though, is. What people have said about setting a good christian example is always a great place to start. After that, you can try the logical, belief vs. belief thing, but you should probably proceed with caution. As HoS mentioned, you can't shove it down their throats. You have to approach the issue with patience and kindness and good answers; make sure you're prepared to answer questions before you invite them to ask them

Which brings us back to the topic again! I cant say I know a lot about the religions you mentioned or how to "break" their logic, but good luck with that friend of yours.

[Mave]

I am currently trying to reach out to my hindu friend. We agree on many things except for one. "All religions lead to the same God." I'm still trying to get over that barrier. Perhaps the reason I've gotten so far with this guy is because God has been opening his heart - the tough and most important part!! He has read the bible which makes things easier to discuss. In fact, today, I came prancing into my lab to show off my Life Application Bible to him. He was really interested in it and we ended up talking about the Christianity for one whole hour. I think I'll buy him that bible. I've rarely seen Christians as enthusiatic about the bible teachings as much as this guy.

Anyway, it really depends on the individual you're facing with. Some are easier to talk to, some are not. Like what the others say, be a good example yourself. Next, pray for that certain person God leads you to on a daily basis. Ask for wisdom as to how to approach this person. Also, constantly increase your understanding of His Word so that when the opportunity arises to share, you'll be ready for it. In addition to studying, I also read up on other religions to understand where they're coming from. http://www.carm.org might be a good start. Hope this helps!

[Fireproof]

It's a tricky issue. If you tell them that Christianity is the only way to heaven, how ever true it may be, they probably belive that their religion is taking them somewhere as strong as you do. This will likely lead to a bout of "my faith trumps your faith." Not fun, not effective, not good. Instead, I'd just be a good Christian and let them know that God loves them and wants them to follow him. Offer it to them, don't force it on them.

[Ducky]

Like what everybody else said. Just be an example of Christian love ... that more than anything you say will win people, but on the same note if you show the love and don't make it apparent that it's because of Christ then it isn't as effective. You have to balance talking about your faith and living it ... and if you talk it you better live it because people will always pick up on it if you don't (and if you stumble admit it cause they'll notice that too ... most people won't admit to or apologize for mistakes ...when you do it causes people to mark the difference)

One thing I've found in talking to people (at least ones with new age leanings is that telling them that you are praying for them (just in general) will sort of bewilder them in a good way ... especially right after a particularly fruitless seeming debate.

anyway ... I have some background with newage/the occult so if you have any specific questions about that you could pm me ...

[Zane]

Thanks for the website Mave, Ill check it out when I have more time, and Dragonmaster, I would appricated that pm of yours very much. Cheers guys.

To clarify I realize that its the Holy Spirit which convicts people of their need for God, and no matter how much head knowledge they have, (say about Christanity) it won't make them a christian etc, I think I have always found trouble in finding the right medium... like i know not to shove it down their throats, that is NOT the way to go, but you can't just sit by and watch them waste their lives and not know God. I have trouble finding that 'happy mean', between the two just mentioned. How much should I say? I know what to say, and i have do lots of studys in apolegtics and know some dodgy aspects of other religions etc. But yeah.. that middle ground between the two.

I have hope that God will save my friends, LorentzForce, and that I am a medium for that, but some of them are just sooooooo worldly, fashion, moblies, looks etc could not give a stuff about it. And I want to kinda nudge them into thinking about death, God, souls etc. I guess I'll just pray that God leads them into situations were they will be forced to think about stuff.

Colossians 4:3 "And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ,... 4. Pray that i may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5. Be wise in the way you act towards outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."

[Ingemar]

What you must realize is that conversion is by no means.... easy. Remember what Christ said about how those who are well are in no need of physicians, but those who are sick. But if you take in the totality of the Bible, all people are "sick." Some people are harder to cure than others, because they don't believe they are sick, or know but don't care. It's kinda like an obese man that refuses to diet. Telling them a remedy isn't meant to hurt them, but they nevertheless take much offense to it.

Chritianity's greatest appeal is to the broken and the hungry. Augustine spoke of a void God filled that the Manicheans and earthly pleasure couldn't satisfy. My own pastor (Mike Macintosh) became a Christian after years and years of self-indulgence, drug abuse and outlandish UFO cults made him penniless and damaged his brain so much that he believed, for two years, that the left side of his head was missing. And Christ Himself gave the blind, lame, demon possessed, sinners and tax collectors healing and a chance to right their own past (remember Zaccheus?) As long as people believe they have it set, that all their ducks are in a row, or that things will stay good, like many hedonistic types like those friends you mentioned, they will never admit what the really are--naked, sick and hungry. This self-deception is deadlier than any virus of which I know. Some self-righteous antitheist or Marxist may claim that once social and economic barriers are crossed, a person need not use religion as a crutch anymore. Well, I think they're wrong. Every person must come face to face with the fact that they will die and their accomplishments will amount to nothing (read more on that in Job and Ecclesiastes). What Jesus gives that land, bread and freedom cannot give is first of all, a sense of dignity in that the Master of the Universe redeemed us and made us co-heirs, and second, life everlasting.

Also, you need to consider a fundamental difference in Hindu and Christian thought. Hindus believe that the highest goal is nothingness (to be one with Nirguna Brahman, the 'god' with no attributes) while Christians believe it is everlasting life (Heaven, duh). Hindus believe that everything is a part of God, while Christians believe that God is distinct from creation. CS Lewis had something to say about this pantheistic worldview--

Confronted with a cancer or a slum the Pantheist can say, 'If you could only see it from the divine point of view, you would realise that this is also God.' The Christian replies, 'Don't talk d*mned nonsense.'

Well, I don't think any Hindu would admit that, no matter how true it seems, anymore than a Christian would admit that God loved Hitler, Stalin and Mao. Nevertheless, I'd also encourage you to learn about other religions in their own contexts, and then set them up against Christianity. My Bible teacher (this was a Christian school) made us write articles on other religions, using non-Christian sites as a source.

[Kisa]

My teacher is the one who I talked about in the Prayer room who spoke about his conversion to Christianity from Muslim....
his website is http://www.erguncaner.com/
something there may help you, he's super awesome!

[Uriah]

Well.. I've been told that the Koran ( I think, or maybe it's the hindu bible, one of them anyway) sopposedly says that the blood of bulls and goats cannot fogive sin, but that someone would have to live a perfect life, and die on a tree.

I'd say that's a pretty good witness right there.

[Fsiphskilm]

In my opinion it's extreme

[Loche Achles]

I know one, a good one, for Islam. Islam is a faith built of fear. Muhammed was told in a cave by "Allah" to go and convert the world and save them by ANY FORCE nescessary. So all the converts of Muhammed were usually the ones that he didn't kill. Everyone knows Muhammed wasn't a Jesus figure or a good person, just a looney who slaughtered a ton of people over a dream. Also, God is a forgiver, a carer. We follow him because we love him and we want to have his unwavering love. Allah, on the other hand, is a punisher. They worship him because he kills thoughs who aren't like he says. So why would you worship a monster, a devil, of a god?
Loche Achles

[Fireproof]

Tone it down, Loche. I'm sensing a lot of hostility there, not to mention quite a few misrepresentations and stereotypes.