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Literature Text
Not tell them? Why?
To let them go on, have their peace?
To be "tolerant" of other beliefs?
To leave their culture as it is?
To keep diverse in harmony?
You say it's overbearing
Colonialising
Controlling
Too exclusive
After all: why can't all roads lead to God?
Have you never seen the fear in their eyes?
Never looked at an idol's cold unfeeling face?
Never felt their hopelessness?
It's not all a piece of cake
It's not all peace and happiness
They are afraid.
I know the answer to their questions
I know the key to the door they're trying
I know the comfort for all their fears
I know the joy they're crying for
And you ask me not to tell them?
To let them go on, have their peace?
To be "tolerant" of other beliefs?
To leave their culture as it is?
To keep diverse in harmony?
You say it's overbearing
Colonialising
Controlling
Too exclusive
After all: why can't all roads lead to God?
Have you never seen the fear in their eyes?
Never looked at an idol's cold unfeeling face?
Never felt their hopelessness?
It's not all a piece of cake
It's not all peace and happiness
They are afraid.
I know the answer to their questions
I know the key to the door they're trying
I know the comfort for all their fears
I know the joy they're crying for
And you ask me not to tell them?
I grew up in a country where Christians are a small minority.
Some of my best friends are non-Christians.
Mission / evangelism is not about enforcing my beliefs on others. It's about helping them. It's done not just "because God told me to" and that's it, but also because of love to them. I believe that Jesus is the only way to God, and the only way of salvation. And I think everyone should have the right to hear that and decide for themselves.
Recently I was in a Chinese house again. Imagine: mirrors over every door - to scare away evil spirits. Not ONE doorframe without a mirror. And practically every idol there is, on every flat surface: two different versions of Buddha, a few Taoist / something gods. Are people really better off that way?
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20)
"How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" (Romans 10:14-15)
"We don't need a call; we need a kick in the pants." (Jim Elliot)
Some of my best friends are non-Christians.
Mission / evangelism is not about enforcing my beliefs on others. It's about helping them. It's done not just "because God told me to" and that's it, but also because of love to them. I believe that Jesus is the only way to God, and the only way of salvation. And I think everyone should have the right to hear that and decide for themselves.
Recently I was in a Chinese house again. Imagine: mirrors over every door - to scare away evil spirits. Not ONE doorframe without a mirror. And practically every idol there is, on every flat surface: two different versions of Buddha, a few Taoist / something gods. Are people really better off that way?
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20)
"How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" (Romans 10:14-15)
"We don't need a call; we need a kick in the pants." (Jim Elliot)
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Comments24
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good poem.
i think christians are smallest minority in my country. atheist and muslim populations are more than christian population. i think i understand why it's like that. muslims tell "christians are wrong" and "we believe in same god with jews and christians" so if someone thinks islam is wrong he or she thinks "christianity" and "judaism" is wrong also. because teacher taught "jews christians and muslims believes in same god"
there was a coup d'etat in 1980. after coup d'etat junta published new laws. and according to one of them all student had to learn about islam. i had lectures about islam too. i can say these lectures were nothing but " brain washing"
some people in turkey say "turkey is a democratic and a secular country" but it's totally wrong. if turkey was a secular country no one would force students to learn about islam. also, there is a place for religion on birth certificate. i plan to change it but if i do it before i graduated i may be expelled from university.
maybe these things are out of subject, but i thought these things when i read your poem and your description.
i think christians are smallest minority in my country. atheist and muslim populations are more than christian population. i think i understand why it's like that. muslims tell "christians are wrong" and "we believe in same god with jews and christians" so if someone thinks islam is wrong he or she thinks "christianity" and "judaism" is wrong also. because teacher taught "jews christians and muslims believes in same god"
there was a coup d'etat in 1980. after coup d'etat junta published new laws. and according to one of them all student had to learn about islam. i had lectures about islam too. i can say these lectures were nothing but " brain washing"
some people in turkey say "turkey is a democratic and a secular country" but it's totally wrong. if turkey was a secular country no one would force students to learn about islam. also, there is a place for religion on birth certificate. i plan to change it but if i do it before i graduated i may be expelled from university.
maybe these things are out of subject, but i thought these things when i read your poem and your description.