Do those people on the corner with their threatening signs really convert anyone?

[artgoddess]

I have wondered about this before, but today when i saw another I had to ask. Do you know anyone who was pushed in the direction of Christianity be cause they read a sign someone was holding up exclaiming "Repent before you die!" or "Fear God!" ?

[ghostlykisses]

I think actions speak louder than words or signs ever can. I don't think threatening signs work, if a person wants to share the love of God with people showing kindness and caring is a much better way! And no I don't think I have ever heard of anyone being won to Christ through a threatening sign or any kind of sign.

[zinemama]

I've wondered that, too.

The universal reactions to those people (that I've observed) seem to be a) ignore; b) eye roll; c) mock; d) sad shake of the head.

[greenmamato2]

I think those signs are probably geared toward people who have been Christians in the past, with the idea that they are offering a reminder/nudge (however "strong") to turn back to God. In that case, words like that are meant to "hit home" or remind them that God isn't always patient.

In high school I often went to a "fire and brimstone" church with a friend (it was her church and I would go with her family after i spent the night there most weekends). They seemed to be a lot more focused on "backslidden" Christians than on ministering to the lost as much. Their belief was that if you sinned even once (for example: going 36 in a 35 zone, saying a bad word, not being generous when you could have, etc) you lost your salvation and had to repent and start the process over. In that case, almost anyone would classify as "lost" or "backslidden"- and the fear of hell or separation from God would motivate them to be very vocal in their faith, very strong, very devoted (and that included trying to save the lost - one of the commandments that Jesus gave... "become fishers of men.")

I think its probably done in most cases with the intention of wanting to help people "before its too late" (a common teaching in fire/brimstone type churches). I don't think it really works on people who haven't been members of the church before, or had that kind of religion before (where they believe their salvation can be lost so easily, and that communion with God requires perfection, or you will be in hell). BUT - for those who have been involved with that in the past - who believe that they will lose (or have lost) their salvation because of a sin they committed, they may read something like that and feel "convicted" (to borrow the term often used by Christians about God's pull on your heart), and may get them thinking about going back to church.

Most people don't respond to fear-based messages like "Repent or die!"... but some do. That's the whole premise of fire-and-brimstone type churches, and they're usually packed full of people who do in fact respond to that type of thing.

I also think it is more of the sign-holder's feeling that they need to do that to help assure their salvation. Many of them believe that the ultimate statement of faith is being out there, being bold with their Christianity, and putting their own well being/ wants / status on the line because of their faith. For SOME, it is almost to the point of putting themselves out there with the idea that they are opening themselves up to be martyrs for their faith, showing their fellow believers, themselves, and God that they are strong enough to do that.

I'm not saying any is wrong or right... just a few observations from someone who used to be involved with it, but isn't anymore.

[cappuccinosmom]

I honestly don't think those signs are aimed at conversion anyway.

At least with Phelps and his gang, they seem to be downright *gleeful* about the idea of people going to hell. I don't think they're trying to scare anyone out of hell. They're just announcing that most of the world is going there. :

[artgoddess]

Originally Posted by cappuccinosmom

I honestly don't think those signs are aimed at conversion anyway.

At least with Phelps and his gang, they seem to be downright *gleeful* about the idea of people going to hell. I don't think they're trying to scare anyone out of hell. They're just announcing that most of the world is going there. :

Well that stuff is just downright angry.

The "God hates fags" stuff I see at the Aids walk each year. But I do often see in my boring little suburban community a guy (it's always a guy, never a woman) with a sign standing on a corner, waving politely at people who drive by and carrying a big sign telling people to repent before they die or to fear god. Not being a Christian I guess I didn't get the signs weren't directed toward me, but rather to those who already are Christian.

[Sailor]

I just saw this today (bizarrely) at the stop sign for where you turn into Walmart.

I honestly can't imagine anyone being converted by something like that. At the same time, I also don't understand the people who do this - why would anyone hold up signs that are basically hate messages?

What happened to the "God is love" or "God is forgiveness" messages? At least holding up something like that doesn't send any vicious messages.

[artgoddess]

Originally Posted by Sailor

I just saw this today (bizarrely) at the stop sign for where you turn into Walmart.

I honestly can't imagine anyone being converted by something like that. At the same time, I also don't understand the people who do this - why would anyone hold up signs that are basically hate messages?

What happened to the "God is love" or "God is forgiveness" messages? At least holding up something like that doesn't send any vicious messages.

This is my thought process as well, but I'm a UU. Universalism is based on the idea that God is all loving and that everyone is deserving of salvation.

We used to have a guy that would stand all day everyday holding up a :John 3:16" sign. he was a really nice guy and I think a bit disabled. People would bring him food etc. That I could see, he talked to people maybe someone who didn't know would ask what the verse was, and then it opened a door for him to talk and maybe convert.

I'm all for being a religous, but I don't get touting a relgion of fear. And from what I understand Christianity isn't about fear.

[LisainCalifornia]

Fear (or fearmongering) is actually a tried and true method for getting people in line and behave the way you want them to. It doesn't make it right or healthy, but that doesn't change the fact that it works for many.

A very big part of fundamentalist christianity is having an appropriate amount of fear of God. That is where the term "God-fearing" came from, the idea that God SHOULD be feared--you should be shaking in your boots at all times, and if you aren't, then you are sinning. Praise is the other side of the coin for fundamentalists, as in you need to heap praise on God at every chance, while also showing that you have a sufficient amount of fear. The term "that put the fear of God into me!" also comes from this set of beliefs.

[savannah smiles]

The Baptist church I was forced to go to as a kid was the "Fear in the Hands of an Angry God" type of church. Even at the tender age of 4 it seemed like a load of poo to me and that opinion hasn't changed over the years.

[pampered_mom]

From my experiences in conservative, evangelical type churches I really do think they believe that the signs are effective in reaching those outside of their faith. I know one church was wanting to spend $30k on a scrolling marquee type church sign because they really did believe that it would "bring people to Christ." I don't personally believe it, but I do think there are those who truly do.

[zech13_9_goforgold]

People bring people to Christ. The disciples never used signs/billboards to share the Good News, they just talked.

I think the people who hold the signs up are protesting the sad state of our world and society. How effective are they? I don't know. How effective are any protest/picket signs? If pickets weren't effective, would people still do them? I think they would, because they're not picketing for everyone else- they're picketing for themselves.

[*Aimee*]

I hate that stuff! I had so many times people passed out tracts to me, and I'd tell them "I'm Christian!" but I couldn't possibly be because I have tattoos and had purple hair and piercings.

That said, I do fear God. I mean I love him and trust him but at the same point in time how could I NOT fear something that powerful ya know?

[umsami]

Originally Posted by greenmamato2

I think those signs are probably geared toward people who have been Christians in the past, with the idea that they are offering a reminder/nudge (however "strong") to turn back to God. In that case, words like that are meant to "hit home" or remind them that God isn't always patient....

I agree with this.

I put Phelps in a totally different category.

I also don't know how effective tracts are... especially Chick tracts. I really think a more powerful form of evangelism for Christians is actually living your life the way Jesus intended. I'm much more likely to be interested, if I see somebody walking the walk... protesting injustice... feeding the poor... etc.

[Tracy]

I recently saw one of those guys and thought
the same thing. We were in las Vegas watching the
volcano erupt in front of the mirage hotel.
Tons of families and this guy Shouting at full
volume.... Basically Jesus is pissed and he is coming
after you. I didn't know what to say to
my eight year old son.
I suppose some poor soul might find the
calling by this guy's ranting but it had got to be
one out of one hundred thousand and in
the mean time he has ticked off tons of people.
To me he looked like a "dry drunk" venting.

[DahliaRW]

Originally Posted by artgoddess

I'm all for being a religous, but I don't get touting a relgion of fear. And from what I understand Christianity isn't about fear.

I have real issues with people using fearmongering as conversion techniques. God does not want us to obey him because we're afraid of him, but rather because we LOVE him. Same reason I want my kids to obey me, kwim?

Originally Posted by LisainCalifornia

Fear (or fearmongering) is actually a tried and true method for getting people in line and behave the way you want them to. It doesn't make it right or healthy, but that doesn't change the fact that it works for many.

A very big part of fundamentalist christianity is having an appropriate amount of fear of God. That is where the term "God-fearing" came from, the idea that God SHOULD be feared--you should be shaking in your boots at all times, and if you aren't, then you are sinning. Praise is the other side of the coin for fundamentalists, as in you need to heap praise on God at every chance, while also showing that you have a sufficient amount of fear. The term "that put the fear of God into me!" also comes from this set of beliefs.

FTR, not ALL fundamentalist Christians believe this. Some sects, yes, but plenty don't. I've often heard "fear of God" translated to mean "respect for God". I'll have to ask dh to look at the Greek for me.

[Tradd]

Originally Posted by DahliaRW

I've often heard "fear of God" translated to mean "respect for God". I'll have to ask dh to look at the Greek for me.

I've been taught that "awe" is more along the lines of what is meant, rather than "shaking in your boots fear."

Actually, combine awe and respect and that's more like it.

[AprilDaisy]

Originally Posted by Tracy

I didn't know what to say to
my eight year old son.

There were some of these types of people at the mardi gras we went to last year. When my son (11) asked about it, I said that everyone has a choice in their relationship with God and this is how these people do it.

[Tracy]

Originally Posted by AprilDaisy

There were some of these types of people at the mardi gras we went to last year. When my son (11) asked about it, I said that everyone has a choice in their relationship with God and this is how these people do it.

yes i agree but this guy was so over the top that it really wasn't even about God at that point. Kind of like trying to explain sex after driving by a big ol' peekaboo bra wearing prostitute. I thought skipping it made the most sense.

[AprilDaisy]

Originally Posted by Tracy

yes i agree but this guy was so over the top that it really wasn't even about God at that point. Kind of like trying to explain sex after driving by a big ol' peekaboo bra wearing prostitute. I thought skipping it made the most sense.

It does tend to fall under "creativity" to explain such thinking. I would have skipped it during mardi gras too, but my son asked about it.