Should one defend one's faith?
961758
everybody  has  the  right  to  depend his or  her  faith
1122094
It is true that some are over-zealous.  I, like you, believe that the faiths of others are to be respected... after all most faiths aspire to the same thing--happiness. Many of the principles of my own faith I see in the faiths of others.\n\nWhile serving a mission in Madagascar and the surrounding islands for my Church, I had the opportunity to learn a lot of other people's faiths.  I am a Christian... or I'd like to think I am.  I'm not always as good as I should be, but I do try to emulate the example of Jesus Christ whom I revere as the Son of God.  While I was there, I taught many Christians who belonged to other denominations, I also taught some people who worshiped their ancestors, others who were Islamic and so forth.  While on the Island of Mauritius, my American missionary companion was threatened by a man who said that if any bombs were to drop on Iraq he would kill him... but the experiences that I remember and cherish the most were not those of the extremists, the fanatics or the zealots, but that of those who silently lived their religions.  \n\nThe media likes to capture the bizarre the strange, the amazing and the horrific tales that do not occur on a daily basis.  It is often for this reason that we hear more about the extremists and fanatics, but I believe that despite the negative influences of those who take their religion too far, the often common and silent influences of those who live out their religions and their lives as they know best, far outway those fanatics.\n\nI once taught a muslim, an old fellow, who has marked my life and taught me one of my greatest lessons.  He had heard the news of Iraq and of September 11th.  He was not a rich man, indeed he was rather poor.  He let my companion and I enter his home, where he blessed us.  He was kind man, and showed us his Qu'ran whose cover was worn a faded with use, and whose pages and become undone and needed binding.  It was evident that he lived his religion, and had no problem in hearing my companion and I chat with him of ours.  We listened to him as he eagerly shared with us his faith, and recounted his desire to go to Mecca, which he had just acheived.  When we presented him with a copy of the Book of Mormon, he wept with gratitude, as he considered a book a very great present, and that he value of this particular gift was substantial.  I really loved our "partage" and exchange that we had.  Of all the things he wanted us to know most was that not all muslims were extremists, and that the actions of a few should not be representative of the whole of Islam.  He gave us food and drink before we parted, and unfortunately I have not heard of him since, but I will always remember him, and when I think of muslims, if ever I find myself stereotyping the actions of a few for the whole, I will think of that old man, and not of the September 11th bombings.\n\nI believe that that story can be applied to all religions.  \n\nI greatly admire those who seek to share their faith with others, whether it be knocking on door after door or whether they share their faith through their examples of quiet living.  It is important to have standards, to have faith, to have dreams, hopes and aspirations, but we must be careful that when we share these things with others that we do not impose them on them.  We must invite, but never compel others to believe as we do.\n\n"And whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do good is of me; for good cometh of none save it be of me. I am the same that leadeth men to all good; he that will not believe my words will not believe me—that I am; and he that will not believe me will not believe the Father who sent me. For behold, I am the Father, I am the light, and the life, and the truth of the world." Ether 4:12
87886
I'm glad you will defend your religion. And God will revenge both Himself and the believers that are persecuted. So keep waitin sister and God BLess
385289
Like it or not, our lives are a defense of what we believe whether we know how to articulate it or not.  Our choices reflect our beliefs.  \n\nThe ability or inability of a person or group of people to defend their beliefs is not proof of the validity of the belief.  It simply speaks to their competence (or lack of it) as communicators.\n\nShould we be able to know and defend what we believe?  Sure.\n\nIs our ability the proof of the veracity of the belief?  No.
340669
If those are you beliefs then you do not have to feel as if they are wrong because someone of different beliefs tells you that you dont need to prove your faith by doing xyz. Faith can take on many different forms and if you feel you must express your faith a certain way then that is what is best for you. However, if you dont want people to judge your way of faith and tell you that you are wrong, remember that when you look upon other people practicing their faith in a way that is different than yourself. \n\nWe can all show our faith in God through a mulititude of ways, just express it in the way that comes most naturaly to you as long as you arent keeping others from doing the same.
1041648
I don't think so.  I believe that people who do put alot of faith in god are giving the credit of their actions to another being.  God didn't create or plan your actions- you did!
688621
It kind of depends on what faith, if any, you have.  If you acquired faith where you had none before, you might start by describing yourself beforehand.  Likewise if the situation is reversed.
805623
No, faith is not enough.  James 2:17 says "thus, too, faith, if it does not have works, is dead in itself. "
1117894
Welcome to the real world.Religion is about select justification,not logic.The best thing to do is protect your own rights.
46330
There's no danger in that, if by interceding you mean praying for them.  I wouldn't run up and tackle them or knock them out with a Bible first, but prayer is powerful.  To those who are offended by anyone who wants to share their faith:  Wouldn't it be more offensive if someone knew of the one and only way to bring meaning to your life and carry it into eternity yet refused to share it with anyone? If someone really loves and cares about you enough to tell you what they know to be the truth- the truth that could set you free from a world of hurt- that should be appreciated rather than scorned, even if you don't take it to heart.
71582
if you trully don't believe, then it shouldn't matter. Are you concerned because you don't believe, but you're afraid of possible repercussions (which, if you don't believe, how can they be there?)  are you concerned for another's damned soul?  don't be,  cause they don't care...cause they don't believe..\nit's like saying, "I don't believe in Santa, but I'm leaving out cookies, just in case"..
106782
It is not you (most times) that people are "bashing"..it's the belief or teaching. If the teaching is true...defend it; but, NEVER defend a lie or something you don't know for sure....there are MANY unbiblical teachings these days.\n\nProverbs 27:5  Open rebuke is better than secret love. \n\nLuk 17:3  Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. \n\n1Ti 5:20  Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. \n\n2Ti 4:2  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. \n\nTit 1:13  This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; \n\nRev 3:19  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. \n\nAre the above verses nitpicking? or fighting the good fight of faith?   I guess it depends on whether or not you want to follow Christ in the TRUTH of the Bible or if you want to follow the spirit of error with itching ears.\n\n2Ti 4:3  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; \n(2Ti 4:4)  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.\n(2Ti 4:5)  But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.\n\nREAD your Bibles, and believe on Christ!!!\n\nI hope this helps, Lord willing,\nKen Sisk\nksisk35@cableone.net
1152775
no.  everyone believes in something different when it comes to things that cannot be proven (ie monotheism/polytheism).  and you might not want to quote something from someone biased.
21246
Remember that there will always be people or messages that will challenge your beliefs.  If you believe God and in his only Son Jesus Christ in your heart, then nothing or no one can change that.  Don't let them doubt yourself, or even make you angry.  Try to show them how what you believe has affected you, but don't get in a fight.  Most of all, don't let anyone make you doubt your faith.
1145381
Faith is belief without proof. I can't speak for all Christians, but I don't think I'm any better than anybody else. For that matter, I don't KNOW that I picked the right religion, I just believe I did. Can't prove it, can't disprove it, I just believe it. I do agree with some of the "idiots" that CONSTANTLY question religion, though. Some of the pseudo-christians on here are more conceited than saved.
802514
Evidence is not for those without faith. When someone chooses not to believe, there is no study, experiment, or proof that will convince them otherwise. They will always find a way to rationalize the evidence you present to them. Faith is a gift from God to the Believer, and does not come from OURSELVES.  You either Believe God's supernatural power, and the benefit of prayer, or you don't.
652223
The more eccentric a religion is the more they need to "push" it onto others.  If you feel that you are constantly being "convinced" about religion, maybe it is time to revisit your faith.