Why all the Missionaries here

[Sahasranama]

Namaste Christians,

I was wondering why so many Christians register at Hindu forums. Is the company of your fellow Christianmen not enough for your spiritual progress?

[Eastern Mind]

Vannakkam Sahasranama:

Yes it is frustrating. I share that. But from the Christians perspective, it is his dharma (duty in Xian terms) to try to spread the gospel, or convert. Fortunately for us, many Christians take this duty lightly, and therefore aren't so annoying. Personally, I hope they keep it up, because intelligent people see the ridiculousness of the whole thing, and turn away from Christianity altogether because of it. So, in a longer term the strategy does exactly the opposite of what its intended to do. For every convert outside of predominantly Christian countries, another 5 or so drop out of it. You can witness that on these forums over and over.

"I'm fed up with Christianity. It no longer makes any sense to me at all. I've been looking around and SD seems to make so much more sense." Then we go on to welcome them home in a polite way. There is no comparison at all. One is rude, forceful, and irritating as heck. The other is polite, humble, and welcoming to all. The day that Hinduism starts proseletysing like that is the day I go looking for a new religion.

Aum Namasivaya

[Eastern Mind]

Vannakkam again:

If people wouldn't engage in dialogue, they'd just go on their merry (sarcasm intended) ways.

Aum Saravanabhava

[Sahasranama]

I think the presence of christians here at Hindu Dharma Forums is shifting the conversations more towards christianity and islam, rather than Sanatana Dharma.

I would not discourage non Hindus to register at Hindu websites, of course. But I would think that the theme of Hindu website would remain Hinduism and not christianity or jesus. Like you have said many times, christianity is irrelevant to Hindus.

I don't think it's our job to show christians that what they believe it wrong. We don't believe in that stuff, if other people believe that stuff, we should respect that, but do we really want to hear about it constantly on a Hindu forum? There are enough christian forums on the net, good Hindu forums like this one are very rare.

[jaggin]

I think the presence of christians here at Hindu Dharma Forums is shifting the conversations more towards christianity and islam, rather than Sanatana Dharma.

I would not discourage non Hindus to register at Hindu websites, of course. But I would think that the theme of Hindu website would remain Hinduism and not christianity or jesus. Like you have said many times, christianity is irrelevant to Hindus.

I don't think it's our job to show christians that what they believe it wrong. We don't believe in that stuff, if other people believe that stuff, we should respect that, but do we really want to hear about it constantly on a Hindu forum? There are enough christian forums on the net, good Hindu forums like this one are very rare.

I haven't seen any evidence of a shift. I suppose it is a matter of sensitivity. For a puritan any presence is too much.

The reality is that I as a christian am not able to speak about Hindu topics with any level of understanding. The Christian forum on here gives me an ability to talk to Hindus about something of which I have knowledge.

I doubt this is the case. Hindus might think Christianity isn't relevant but God does not see it that way.

As for the OP, there is no question that Jesus has commanded us to preach the gospel to everyone. However a message that does not produce understanding is less effective. For that reason there is a need to reach some common ground where the message can have the desired result. Most Christians in the past have thought of the desired result as conversion but I don't see that as an absolute necessity.

[BryonMorrigan]

As for the OP, there is no question that Jesus has commanded us to preach the gospel to everyone.

And that commandment is an exhortation to evil and wickedness, and should be opposed as such. Proselytism is a form of "hate speech," as it presupposes that the other person is "wrong" and that their religion is "false." It's high-time that non-Christians stopped treating these kinds of attempts to destroy our religions with politeness.

[Sahasranama]

I doubt this is the case. Hindus might think Christianity isn't relevant but God does not see it that way.

I am glad you were able to have a conversation with God.

[sanjaya]

Sahasranama, are there a lot of Christians on HDF? I never noticed. I've only talked to three or so in my time here.

I doubt this is the case. Hindus might think Christianity isn't relevant but God does not see it that way.

Do keep in mind that any acceptance of this statement on our parts is predicated on our agreeing that your Bible accurately represents God. Just about no one here believes in the Bible. One might as well be coming here and talking about space aliens and tin foil hats. The reason we take you seriously is because your beliefs were impressed upon you by your Christian culture and aren't simply the result of delusion or mental illness. But that doesn't make them any more reasonable from an objective standpoint.

As for the OP, there is no question that Jesus has commanded us to preach the gospel to everyone. However a message that does not produce understanding is less effective. For that reason there is a need to reach some common ground where the message can have the desired result. Most Christians in the past have thought of the desired result as conversion but I don't see that as an absolute necessity.

Heh, sure, whatever you say. Actually Jaggin, I like you much more than the evangelicals in your faith. I don't think you have the superiority complex that they possess. But you do remind me very much of the "emergent Church" movement in America, which tries to hold on to evangelical dogmatism at an intellectual level, while minimizing the offensive aspects of Christianity, and ultimately they preach such an obfuscated message that they end up saying nothing at all. You hold to a religion whose scriptures prescribe condemnation for all non-believers, and I think you recognize that there's something wrong with this belief. Thus you tend to de-emphasize that part of your faith, while still intellectually assenting to it (I think). From what I can tell you do hold to evangelical dogmas, but I doubt that any Hindu will ever become a Christian because of you. For that, you have my sincere thanks.

[Eastern Mind]

Sahasranama, are there a lot of Christians on HDF? I never noticed. I've only talked to three or so in my time here.

Vannakkam Sanjaya: I agree there are few. However, I was 'accused' (I mean the chap just said he thought I was a Christian) of it the other day in a PM sent to me by another member. Do I come across as a Christian to you? Maybe its because sometimes people do a typo and call me Easter Mind. I sure hope its not because of my skin colour although I have been accused of being a Christian for that reason before. What do you think?

Aum Namasivaya

[Ao]

Do I come across as a Christian to you? Maybe its because sometimes people do a typo and call me Easter Mind. I sure hope its not because of my skin colour although I have been accused of being a Christian for that reason before. What do you think?

Aum Namasivaya

I hear you on the skin color thing, Eastern Mind. Something I deal with almost daily (but not from other Hindus).

For my part, I would never think you were a Christian. But your calm demeanor and openness to all might come across as a tacit approval of other views to those who are more, shall we say, bold in expressing their opinions. To me, though, it's refreshing.