How can they tell these things with a smile on their faces?

(hahaha) this made me laugh, really. i do encounter these kinds of people too. they walk around with a bible reaching to those they encounter and they distribute leaflets about their religion/sect. they have this conviction that they have the way and the truth and if you don't follow them your soul will burn in hell. most of us were born into our religions, race, country, etc. before birth(if this were possible), nobody ever asked whether we wanted to be born into an american, asian, european, (ans so forth) family and as to what religion we wanted to belong to. it all happened by chance. our mothers gave birth to us and we "landed" there, in our family with our religion and race all programmed beforehand. there are several major religions in the world, each claiming to be the one and only way to salvation. do you think god is so unfair that he allows us to be born into the religion that is not the true path? don't get bothered by these people, instead pray for them if you believe in prayers for they are the ones (in my opinion) who are going astray.

So I have told you that I am a muslim and we have these who think they are better than the rest of us too. I have a nasty experience with them when I was young and less wise (sounds nicer than me admitting I am stupid). Now that I know more of my religion, I know they have mistreated me. I read a poster on facebook which says, 'I thank God for all the nasty people I meet, they taught me who exactly I do not want to be.' They are the ones who you should pity.

She was just blindly speaking the words of someone else. Or else nobody would say a new born is a sinner. She is just retelling the story that someone has told her! Smiling is an art that people like this are taught - Sometimes people get attracted to them and they think they have conquered the feelings and that they keep smiling in all circumstances.

Most religious people I've encountered have been good people. Many have been intelligent people. I suppose it's just a "people" thing in that regard, some just happen to believe things I think are a little outlandish. (Penn Jillette has a really great take on this. I'm usually plenty longwinded enough to flesh out my own thoughts on a subject, but he sums it up incredibly well. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qJDd-2tM-A ) But for those whackjobs who approach people with this type of nonsense, I think they truly don't know any better. It was beaten into their brains since babies that this specific way is the way, to the point that they do not know any other way that isn't the wrong way. If you ever wanted to know why the saying "ignorance is bliss" has been used so often, I suppose you only need to look at the smiling face of a maniac as they willingly damn your entire life and soul like it's nothing. They smirk and cheer like it's okay to do this to people because they're spreading the "good" word. Thankfully these people seem to be the minority in any religion. Most people are happy enough to worship their own way, and to worship privately -- which is the way that any worship should be. On a quick side note: (And I might have to start my own post about it now that I'm thinking of it.) I've heard some Christians tell me that God will still let people into heaven if they were unaware of his "word" and the specifics. It's only if you know the right path and refuse it that you will go to hell. Okay. So why not just STFU and stop telling people!? When these smiling nest-jumpers make such an effort to convert people, they are, according to their beliefs, putting you on the trap travertine that's going to open up and shoot you into hell unless you abide their way of life. If they really cared about your soul, they wouldn't tell you anything.

Perhaps she's hoping for the best for you, that you will believe. But you know, as a Christian I won't weep over the Devil, who I know is going to suffer for ever in hell, nor over Adolph Hitler. Abraham wasn't weeping over the rich man, neither was Lazarus. Christ wept over Jerusalem, but He won't weep for ever. You can't expect every single Christian to weep over you, just because by your own fault you are refusing the Gospel of Grace. God is GLORIFIED in the dispensation of His justice when mercy has been refused.

Some people are so far enveloped into their religion that they can see themselves as better than everyone who doesn't meet their standards and believe in their religion. These kinds of people feel that if they tell you that you are going to hell or the underworld or what have you, then they are doing their duty and serving their ruler/king/god. Some of these people will even find joy in telling people how they are going to "suffer in the afterlife" for whatever reason. Oftentimes, with people like that, I wonder if it could be considered a mental illness. Sadly, things like that go ignored in the psychology and medical fields because it's related to religion. It's still not an excuse to be a jerk or to judge a person and tell them that they are going to hell. I must say, though, that I liked your counter against her, in regards to the bible and satan. Sometimes what people like that need is a hint of doubt to remind them that not everyone believes what they do, and that everyone can speak their mind, not just those overly religious types.

Ideally, she would be smiling because she has the answer that could rid you of the stain of sin and enable you to enter heaven with the rest of the saved. I believe that she should have chosen a much better approach. Telling people up front that they are going to hell is a sure conversation stopper.

That woman is evil disguised under the pretense of being "religious" . There are many like her who call themselves christian. Then there are those who don't realize just how stupid it is to introduce their God to someone along with threats of hells. How can they expect anyone to have any respect or love for their God then? They should become non believers for day and hear themselves as others hear them.

Well,Well,Well. Another poor soul burning in Hell. My My. This poor lady has such a narrow view that she sees only her beliefs. Her Ego sees herself as total goodness yet does not realize what she does. Let's get to reality. God, a Being capable of creating universes, has to be very intelligent. Shouldn't a Being that smart be able to come up with something better than frying the kids for something as little as beliefs?? Come on, people THINK. Frying anyone for eternity without the possibility of redemption even after the fact, could never be justice but the act of a tyrant. Once again, is that really an intelligent move? The reality is that Hell does not exist,neither does the devil. Further, all God's children are very special. Their views are needed in the interactions and the learning. Yes,I said it right. Even the views of atheists are important. Perhaps, the true interaction is for atheists to bring religious people closer to reality and religious people to move atheists to the realization that there is more. Those who are truly wise are those who are open to all views then search for the real truth. We are all capable of that. JanEdward,When this kind of thing happens to me, I ask them some of those questions you do. WE can point them in the right direction whether they listen or not. There will come a time in their lives when the truth and reality will become more important. Perhaps, they will remember where you were pointing. In the meantime, don't let it bother you. Share your love and kindness anyway while you are pointing.

hello JanEdward! the woman was very judgemental. she claims to be a follower of Jesus who never in His lifetime judged a man according to his tattoo or whatever markings on his body. to be a Christian one has to be Christ like in all aspect.

Good point(with the bible). And the answer is simple: It's easy to give up, harder is to keep looking for the truth. I am a satanist and i'm going toburn in the darkest fires of hell because i have long hair, dress in black and listen rock :)) But i dont care and know that people always fear the unknown so if i want some space, just show the skull t-shirt;))

Well,this lady made several mistakes.First,God is the only judge here.Not a single person on this earth has a right to tell who is going to heaven or to hell.Or anywhere.Second mistake is that she's committing what we call "deadly sin".It's the sin of pride(hence the smile on her face which is the smile of pride).Pride slowly poisons the soul.She should be humble instead.If she sees someone who might be a sinner, she should pray for the salvation of that person and not judge him.Third,people have s free will to choose good and evil.We should care about what we do and not what others do.Little knowledge is dangerous.She has little knowledge about her faith.

Hi, It is very bad behavior of that lady. No one can force anyone to believe in God or religion. Saying with smile that the people who are not believer are going to hell is very unfair. It means that lady is not true believer of a God because when we hurt someone with our harsh words it means we are hurting God. God is everywhere and in everyone's soul.

hahaha.... really it sounds funny. i am sorry but make me laugh too much. well... i just imagine what you written. someone says you go to hell and with cool face is smiling with a bible in hand.... by the way i love butterfly tattoo.

Simple. To these people there is only way to heaven. and if you say no thanks they feel free to say you are going to hell.

Insanity comes cloaked in the form of religion. Heck, look at some of these fruitcakes that take these poor misguided fools all the way down to killing themselves... Jim Jones and the Branch Davidians comes to mind. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Jones http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Branch_Davidian

I wonder what church this person belongs to that they try to minister to people in the street. Either way, that is the exact reason that religions get a bad rap. Jehovah's witness can be the same way. I think it's disrespectful and even arrogant their attitudes towards people.

I am not sure if that woman truly understand what she is preaching. I understand how you must have felt that day. I am a Catholic and I do not go out telling people straight on their ace that if they do not belong to the same Religion as I am that they will suffer in hell.

Oh man, i know how that feels! U will not believe how many missionaries here in my country (Indonesia) i met baptism missionaries, Jahovah witness missionaries, seventh day adventist missionaries, mormon later day saint's church missionaries, any MANY other missionaries! Some of them are nice, kind and good people some are just really ignorace, and always think that just only their group of religious system will go to Heaven, other will go to Hell!

Piercing or tattoo, is forbiden for some religions. God have given a beautiful body, we do not need to make it dirty. I just saying from my point and from my religion. Assalamu'alaikum.