Jews for Jesus
Yesterday was a magical day for Union Square. There were tons of butterflies flittering about, and one of them decided to land on my finger for about ten minutes, just kinda hanging out.
As I'm sitting there with this creature on my hand, I see this bright red pamphlet suddenly being put in front of me, that says, "WHAT THE HELL?" I looked up and someone working for Jews for Jesus said, "Do you believe in Jesus?" I said "I think Jesus did some really wonderful things, but I myself am a Buddhist." "Oh," he said, "did you convert to that, or were you born into it?" I told him about studying Buddhism at Hampshire and all that, and we chatted for a couple minutes, but he said, "Well, I just wanted to tell you about Jesus and give you the good news of the Bible." I wanted to talk to him more about his organization, but I think he had to keep going. So, I figured I'd look at his bright red pamphlet anyhow.
Man, was it a downer.
Basically, it was talking about how people go to hell for their sins, and even if you don't believe in hell, you'll still go there, unless, of course, you seek Jesus as your personal savior. I figured, for as cheery as this guy sounded, and given the fact that he mentioned that the Bible was 'good news,' that the subsequent information on Jews for Jesus would be likewise, somewhat positive. It was, unfortunately, more about how everyone is a sinner, and everyone will probably be going to hell, unless, of course....
One last thing: the term 'personal savior' is one I've been having some issues with lately. I figure that term means that you come to an individual decision to accept Jesus Christ as your savior. And while other people and events can influence that change, it seems that the point with a lot of proselytizing is for them to make that decision in your mind for you. I really feel that in the end, you, yourself have to make the decision to accept anyone as your savior, or not. Hence the 'personal' in 'personal savior,' right? Real, genuine, long-lasting change has to come from inside; these sorts of important feelings and notions can't be sorted out by anybody else.
As I'm sitting there with this creature on my hand, I see this bright red pamphlet suddenly being put in front of me, that says, "WHAT THE HELL?" I looked up and someone working for Jews for Jesus said, "Do you believe in Jesus?" I said "I think Jesus did some really wonderful things, but I myself am a Buddhist." "Oh," he said, "did you convert to that, or were you born into it?" I told him about studying Buddhism at Hampshire and all that, and we chatted for a couple minutes, but he said, "Well, I just wanted to tell you about Jesus and give you the good news of the Bible." I wanted to talk to him more about his organization, but I think he had to keep going. So, I figured I'd look at his bright red pamphlet anyhow.
Man, was it a downer.
Basically, it was talking about how people go to hell for their sins, and even if you don't believe in hell, you'll still go there, unless, of course, you seek Jesus as your personal savior. I figured, for as cheery as this guy sounded, and given the fact that he mentioned that the Bible was 'good news,' that the subsequent information on Jews for Jesus would be likewise, somewhat positive. It was, unfortunately, more about how everyone is a sinner, and everyone will probably be going to hell, unless, of course....
One last thing: the term 'personal savior' is one I've been having some issues with lately. I figure that term means that you come to an individual decision to accept Jesus Christ as your savior. And while other people and events can influence that change, it seems that the point with a lot of proselytizing is for them to make that decision in your mind for you. I really feel that in the end, you, yourself have to make the decision to accept anyone as your savior, or not. Hence the 'personal' in 'personal savior,' right? Real, genuine, long-lasting change has to come from inside; these sorts of important feelings and notions can't be sorted out by anybody else.
posted by Will Brideau @ 10:04 AM
6 Comments:
At 11:34 AM,
asari said…
Hi Will,
I can say that your story is always interesting but something I am curious about, Is it ok to ask personal questions? I am a little bit confused in this country. I notice from your story; with your friend or with that guy, I consider he/she asked you personal questions. I have been really careful to talk with people about a sensetive issue but based on your story, I am getting confused, do you have any comment?
At 2:01 AM,
mbeadle1 said…
Too bad the pamphlet you received wasn't about eternal life. That's the good news. And yes, accepting Jesus as your personal saviour is a decision you have to grapple with internally. No one can make that decision for you. "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall have eternal life."
At 4:38 PM,
Margaret Fuller said…
Will, it hurts me as a Christian whenever I come across other "Christians" saying things I don't agree with, in my name! (Since they obviously "represent" me and my faith, and every other professed Christian.) It's unfortunate, but it seems as if the most outspoken proselytes are the ones that bring fire and brimstone into the mix. I just hope that people understand that that's not what Christianity is about: it's good news, and a personal relationship with Christ is YOUR decision, and yours only. It's really a beautiful thing, not just a way of evading hell for the sake of your fragile and precious soul. Just as no one can forecefully and truly convert someone else (only God has the power to change hearts and minds, after all), no one can instill a personal relationship between you and someone else, not to mention someone like God. So it's sad that some Jews for Jesus can convey that message, but we must be reminded again and again that, as in any religious group, they do not represent Christianity as a whole.
At 11:26 PM,
Rori Picker said…
For all that we talk about the difficulties with interfaith dialogue, the hardest dialogue is probably actually intrafaith dialogue. It is often easier for us to respect the beliefs of someone of another faith than it is for us to accept the beliefs of someone of our own faith who believes differently than we do.
The biggest challenge to us is that we have to learn to dialogue with these people as well. We cannot simply dismiss them as not "real" members of the religion. They are followers of the religion the same as we are, and we all need to learn to live together.
It is too easy to just dismiss the people we don't like and keep the members of the religion that we like. Life is never really that easy.
At 4:43 PM,
Chad said…
Will,
Thank you for a post that conveyed an honest reaction to our literature. As a worker with Jews for Jesus, I'm truly sorry that you found it "a downer." We try to use a humorous approach in most of the literature we distribute on the street, and consider pamphlets like the one you received an invitation for people to interact with the Gospel. We don't always hit the mark, but I'm glad when I can see feedback such as your post.
It's interesting to me to note that some of the commenters, who have presumably not read the tract you received, nevertheless imply solely on the basis of your post that Jews for Jesus are not even Christian.
For the purpose of clarifying things for some of the commenters, I present the text of the particular tract Will received.
Whoever said: "You'll go to hell if you don't believe in Jesus!"
That's not how it works at all. No one goes to hell because of Jesus.
People go there because of their sin. (Now there's a popular subject for around the office water cooler!)
But what do you care anyway? You're not sure God exists and you don't believe in sin or hell. Even if there is a place called Hell, you just know in your heart it's not for you.
After all, you're trying to be a pretty decent person. You're concerned about the environment and homeless people. You figure, if there is a hell, it's for all the other people. But if everybody else thinks that, then you and I must be the "other people."
The truth is that Hell isn't such an exclusive place. You don't have to be a genocidal maniac, a human rights violator, or a pompous demigod to go there.
Hell is made up of ordinary sinners. That's everyone!
Y'shua the Messiah illustrated the condition of sin saying:
It was said to your ancestors "You shall not commit murder," * but I say to you that everyone who is angry with another and shall say 'You fool' (moron, idiot, twit, schlemiel, etc) shall be guilty enough to go into the Gehenna of fire. **
So, about the only thing that makes Hell exclusive is that it's the one place where a person can go to get away from God forever and have the company of those who don't want His presence, either.
If you don't believe in Hell now, wait ...
... eventually you will.
If you don't like the idea of going to hell, don't get steamed at me for talking to you straight about it. Instead, ask Jesus what he might do to help you switch destinations.
* Deuteronomy 5:17
** That was the term in the Hebrew bible for "Hell" or a "place of eternal burning"
At 1:57 PM,
Margaret Fuller said…
Rori, I find your comment very insightful. It is true that initiating and facilitating inTRAfaith dialogue is a challenging but immensely worthwhile endeavor. The thing that makes it more difficult than engaging in interfaith dialogue is that you find yourself treading the turbulent waters of proper representation/association, which is a concern of mine when I come across Christian groups that preach what I deem as the wrong message. It's especially hurtful to me when I notice other observers getting the wrong impression and being turned off to the faith as a whole by what they're seeing and hearing. So I find it's important to make sure that the observers realize that such a message is contrary to my (and many other Christians') beliefs. Dismissal is certainly not the answer, you're right. But it's still important to make it known to others exactly where you stand and what you find problematic and even false about other stances nominally tied into your tradition.
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