Relationships BEFORE Religion

Unfortunately, I have to write a business paper for my advanced writing class. (Why does this class currently seem to affect my blog posts?)

So . . . I chose to write my paper on my high school. There was just this HUGE new project that was just completed before the beginning of this semester.

While I researched, I somehow found this website (http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=221965) that was posting a picture of the finished product (the add-on of the school), with a description of all the things included in the building: the new coffee shop, the 3-court gym, the 12 new classrooms, etc. We're talking several thousand square feet of building! 300,000 to be exact. Incredible.

I read the article, found it rather boring but relevant for my next assignment, and then I came to the end where people could comment. Then again, who actually comments on articles involving a "Bethel Baptist Church"? Evidently, several people fooled me.

The comments and people's opinions were far more interesting than the article itself. One guy called the church a "mega-mall-church." Like that's what every church wants to hear. There were a couple of Christians who commented with Scripture as well as an atheist who threw in his opinion. The conversation/argument/debate/commenting was quite eye-opening to how people perceive something as simple as an article about new buildings within a church as a huge problem. People take things very far in one direction or the other. Who woulda thought a theological (or not so theological) discussion would start over a church building?

Anyhow, as much as I enjoyed reading the conversation, I was bothered by how close-minded people are. I think witnessing is great, and I'm not downplaying anyone's actions or words, but it did hit me with a thought: witnessing to someone you know nothing about and claiming that you have all the answers is . . . well, not pointless, but really counterproductive.

How can you expect to reap results when you've never even a met a person? Whether it's religion, or the last presidential election, or some debate you're having with a person, it's hard to get someone to value your opinion when you know nothing about that person. There are NUMEROUS REASONS people have their beliefs, their convictions, and their opinions (Well, I'm talking educated, logical-thinking people).

My point is, it's great to share truth (or according to most, what your idea of what truth is), but you can't expect people to easily with you right away, or even side at all with you when you haven't established a relationship with them.

I know I'm sticking on the more spiritual side of things, but this idea of pushing your ideas on people before getting to know them was even evident in one of my dorm society meetings. A couple of girls were giving testimonies about different girls in jail that they had been mentoring. They wanted to share the Bible with them, but they wanted to get to know them before talking about religion. Common theme? Establish a relationship before sharing the Bible.

Yes, God wants His Word shared with others--it should be the Christian's main life goal--but shoving it down someone's throat (even in a way in which it seems respectful or kind), may not always be received so kindly by the recipient when he or she has opposing views. (Disclaimer--this is not to say that the people in the Daily Herald article were "shoving it down someone's throat.")

Solid relationships with people (whether casual or close) need to be established before the average person will be open to your opinions on beliefs, whether they we spiritual, political, or of some other importance.