"These people need food but they also need Jesus."

[poe]

the words of Mark Kosinski, an American evangelist who arrived in Aceh from Malaysia. One Christian group was revealed to have tried to airlift 300 'tsunami orphans' to a Christian children's home.
for more on this go to www.guardian.uk and look for Religious Aid Groups Try To Convert Victims by Jason Burke in Banda Aceh 1-16-05

[BamaLefty]

1. Sounds Great...

But some of those things scare me. Why, I don't know.

[GRLMGC]

2. That's so obnoxious

How would that fool feel if someone was trying to convert him to Islam or Hinduism or any other religion?

[poe]

5. agree

you can eat if you'll let me proselytize. disgusting and quite common amongst faith based charities. an incredible book titled "Thy Will Be Done" chronicles the collusion of the missionaries in the amazon with Rockefeller oil interests in the amazon. award winning journalists colby and dennett spent seventeen tears researching and writing. a clear look at the appalling process from the top down. you knew it would happen in Aceh. the vultures circle.

[Az]

3. Consider the nature of what they believe

Which is more important in their rhetoric? A momentary relief of hunger or an eternity of relief from damnation? Its the same motivation that lead to the persecution of the Jews during the inquisition.

[Nothing Without Hope]

4. I don't think Jesus would recognize these would-be kidnappers

Prosyletizing among the "ignorant savages" isn't just an aberration of earlier centuries.

(self-edited to remove the "n/t" from the title -- I changed my mind!)

[Az]

7. From the moment of inspiration of a belief to present day

It is all conveyed by human beings. One human telling another what it is they believe. Whether the founding moment was the truth or an imagined reality. Everything that follows is communicated by humans.

And within such a network only those things which appeal to the individual shall be accepted and transfered onward. Thus the stories that do not appeal tend to die out. Even if they are the truth. While the stories that do appeal survive. Even if they are not quite the truth.

Over time the most succesful trends are the ones that continue to circulate. Any tricks and techniques they pick up along the way stick with them. Become part of the process. They become increasingly effective at spreading their particular message. Be it the truth or not.

[Skittles]

13. everyone arguing over who has the better imaginary friend

I get so tired of it all

[sakabatou]

6. Good GOD!

Can't these people help without trying to convert people?!

[Az]

8. Converting is more important to them

Eternal damnation is a greater threat in their mind than starvation and momentary suffering.

[sakabatou]

10. What kind of policy is that?

IMO The only people they should convert are the ones that come to them, voluntarily.

[Az]

11. That is definately your opinion

Mine too. But it is not the most efficacious way of spreading a belief. And the belief system that does spread itself the best is the one that dominates. This nation would be vastly different if it were not for the idea behind missionary work spreading the word.

[leesa]

9. Shameful opportunists.

[WolverineDG]

12. well of course they need jesus

he was, after all, a carpenter. i'm sure he'd be the first to lend a hand & help these folks rebuild their homes...oh wait, that's not the kind of "jesus help" this fundie meant....

dg

[Liberal Veteran]

14. Actually, many Christians need a crash course in Jesus.

I swear the new Bibles coming out have omitted Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

[Ezlivin]

15. Yes, they are actually following Paul

If you ask most Christians about Jesus, they will tell you what Paul thought of him. Most of the bible "teaching" that takes place in church concerns itself with Pauline theology.

And the amazing thing is, Paul never met Jesus. (Oh, he had a "vision", but that was it.)

[Liberal Veteran]

16. Well, looking at the Pauline epistles, I can understand their inclusion.

Jesus didn't exactly lay the groundwork for a centralized church with power over the masses.

So Paul's "vision" of Jesus sorta got tacked on to satisfy the requirements of an authoritative patriarchal centralized church.

[Ezlivin]

17. Exactly. And Paul's words are now used to support the "Health/Wealth"

Gospel that is so prevalent around here (Dallas-Fort Worth).

The Prosperity Gospel is an affront to everything that Jesus spoke about.

Talk about ironies.