Accurately Representing Other Religions

[Will]

We must take great care when witnessing to, and debating, those in false religions, that we take great pains to try to represent their position accurately. Far too often, Christians build strawmen(often unknowingly) of their opponents, and knock them down easily, at which point the person in the false religion is like "Yeah, so? I don't believe that." When we misrepresent their religion, we give a bad testimony.

One way to avoid doing this, is when witnessing, to ask them what they believe. Not merely go by what you *think* their religion teaches. Mormonism is a great example of this. Even the official Mormon publications come with a disclaimer stating "not everything in this resource can be construed to be official Mormon doctrine." The fact is, there is very little that can be considered official Mormon doctrine. Because they constantly throw away what the old prophets had to say, and replace it or reinterpret it. Nailing down Mormonism is like trying to nail jello to the wall, it doesn't work. So ask them what they believe, and go from there.

[Psalms18_28]

Most of the time how we think they are teaching is correct. They just don't want to see it and people just don't like people being blunt.

It is like how a muslim do not think their prophet is not idolatry, and we think it is . you have to testify Allah is one god and Mohammad is his messenger: My thinking is what if you decide not to believe Mohammad is not his messenger???? but on the other hand, we have to believe in the whole bible if we have accepted Jesus. Same with how a muslim think Jesus is idolatry when we don't think so since Jesus IS the Lord. Would a muslim be wrong if they say that Jesus is idolatry in their viewpoint? Are they building a strawman on christianity when they say that?

So asking what they believe isn't going to tell us anything. We still end up with the same conclusion about their belief. But yes, it does open up a conversation without them feeling they have to defend their religion.

[kevinmiller]

I agree Will. :smile

[manofconviction]

I like to ask if they're going to heaven when they die and follow that up with based on what. Often they will reference infant baptism or works of good behavior.

[lettheredeemedsayso]

i don't believe that we are hear to represent false religion!!! We are here to stand on the Word of God. False religions are taking millions of people to hell everyday. People are under the impression that if you oppose them that you are not loving. The reality is that if you don't stand against false religions you do not love them at all. Do a word study in context on false prophets you will understand what I mean.

[dwayner79]

I think Wll is talking about setting up a strawman version of a false religion to fight against. And I agree... wholeheartedly. Accurately representing is not standing up for them. Good thoughts Will. :thumb

[Will]

i don't believe that we are hear to represent false religion!!! We are here to stand on the Word of God. False religions are taking millions of people to hell everyday. People are under the impression that if you oppose them that you are not loving. The reality is that if you don't stand against false religions you do not love them at all. Do a word study in context on false prophets you will understand what I mean.

:puzzled:

[HappyChristian]

I think it is a good idea to find out what people believe - very often people are complimented that you want to take the time to listen to them, so they talk.

We all know that Islam isn't right, but I really got a surprise one day as I was reading a book (don't remember the name...will check and post it later). The author is a Muslim who received Christ and now ministers to Muslims. What led him to discover Christ? The Q'ran!!! Of all things I would never expect to read. And in this book, he lists and explains the verses that showed him the way to Christ. The Q'ran tells people that Jesus is the only virgin born...I didn't know it taught that, did you? There are a lot of other things in there that I had no idea of.

I know Islam is wrong, and I know the Q'ran isn't scripture - but until I began reading this book, I didn't know that there is a way to point Muslims to Jesus, beginning with the book they call holy!

I don't know if that exactly fits with your OP, Will, but I kinda thought it did...forgive me if I went off topic!

[mike08]

I know what you are talking about because I have read many translated portions of the Qur

[Tim]

We must take great care when witnessing to, and debating, those in false religions, that we take great pains to try to represent their position accurately. Far too often, Christians build strawmen(often unknowingly) of their opponents, and knock them down easily, at which point the person in the false religion is like "Yeah, so? I don't believe that." When we misrepresent their religion, we give a bad testimony.

One way to avoid doing this, is when witnessing, to ask them what they believe. Not merely go by what you *think* their religion teaches. Mormonism is a great example of this. Even the official Mormon publications come with a disclaimer stating "not everything in this resource can be construed to be official Mormon doctrine." The fact is, there is very little that can be considered official Mormon doctrine. Because they constantly throw away what the old prophets had to say, and replace it or reinterpret it. Nailing down Mormonism is like trying to nail jello to the wall, it doesn't work. So ask them what they believe, and go from there.

Amen Will .....dealing with other religions or beliefs can be done much more effectively if we find out what the person actually believes rather than going on what we "know" (think) they believe.

[manofconviction]

Many don't know (or understand the beliefs of) the denomination they belong to. I have witnessed to Catholics mostly and they deny what the church practices. It happens in other "good" churches also when the people don't seek prayerfully to understand sound DOCTRINE. We should know it eat it sleep it and demand leadership that preaches and teaches it. Praise God if you are in a church that does.

[Tim]

Many don't know (or understand the beliefs of) the denomination they belong to. I have witnessed to Catholics mostly and they deny what the church practices. It happens in other "good" churches also when the people don't seek prayerfully to understand sound DOCTRINE. We should know it eat it sleep it and demand leadership that preaches and teaches it. Praise God if you are in a church that does.

That is exactly why it is important to find out what the person believes rather than going by what we "know the religion teaches".

[manofconviction]

Completely agree Tim

[qwerty guy]

Although you can learn some talking points on the most common false religions, there are so many it becomes futile to learn them given the better things of study.

Mormons, 7th day, Muslums, Catholics, JWs, it all comes down to salvation by works. Learning to address this foundational belief will allow you to talk to almost anyone involved in a cult.

Most of the time, you end up talking to someone who doesn't even know what their church teaches, and the gospel is all they need to hear, but if they are rooted and devoted, I've had good results this way:
I allow them to brag on everything they do that makes them such a good person and worthy of Heaven. I do this simply because after letting them talk about their religion for 5 min, they feel obligated to allow me to talk. I really hate that part, but don't jump the gun and allow them to prop themselves up.
I agree that they sure are a good person, and do a lot of good. Then I talk about the perfection of God, and His Holyness and Goodness. They agree that God is Perfect and Holy.
I then confess, that if we took them and set them next to everyone on earth, they would be near the top as far as how good they are.. they get pretty proud at this point. I then ask them, If God is Perfect, and God is Holy, and they will stand before Him one day alone and be judged against His Goodness, how would they measure up? This usually brings a weird look to their face as it sinks in. If it doesn't I ask them why a Perfect, Holy, all Powerful God would need them to do anything for Him?
I tell them the Gospel by telling them what I believe. Usually I point out some good things I do in life, like they do, but how I know the bad I've done makes me unfit for Heaven. I tell them what I believe, not what they should believe, easing them into the Gospel. I've had good success with this, even though I'm so used to the up front, show them the Bible soul winning method.

Worst thing I had happen, is I used this method on a muslum lady in a nursing home. She bragged and bragged about how good she was, and her husband was. I broke through and got her lost by taking her view of her vs others and changing it to her vs God, I explained the Gospel and how Jesus will forgive her sins. Through tears she told me that if it's true her husband is in hell, and she'd rather be with her husband. This haunted me for weeks. I hope she changed her mind and got saved after I left...