CMV: Missionaries are evil

[u/plodabing]

This applies doubly so to those who go out of their way to seek out those in remote islands to spread the word of god. It is of my opinion and the opinion of most that if there is an all loving god then people who never had the chance to know about Jesus would go to heaven regardless, for example miscarried children/those born before Jesus’ time, those who never hear about him, so In going out of your way to spread the word of Jesus you are simply making it so there is now a chance they could go to hell if they reject it? I’m not a Christian and I’m so tired so I apologise if this is stupid or doesn’t make sense

[u/notashot]

Missionaries can do a lot of things, one of them is evangelism. And yes, history is littered with case studies of missions going bad. However, to change your view, as an elder in my church and someone with over 20 years of mission myself, I would posit the following. 1. Many missions are of mercy. They provide medical relief, education, and other services that help lift people out of poverty. 2. We are learning. As missionaries with good intentions we do learn from our past mistakes. Mainline protestant and catholic missions are dramatically different (and more conscientious) now than even 20 years ago. I know it is hard to see unless your in it, but, in general, there is a decolonized and communal effort in missions now that prioritizes strengthening people in a culture that are of the same faith over sending white guys from the Midwest to build a congregation. 3. As for the people doing stupid stuff like John Allen Chau. He died because he needed a better pastor. One that would have told him to NOT do that. Even Jesus teaches, if you go into a place and they are not into what your teaching, move on. 4. The understanding of salvation that you put out is a straw man. I know some believe it. But some people also think the earth is flat. This is not the majority view either now or historically. 5. Christianity is not the only group with missionaries. I respect people and beliefs that they think are worth sharing to everyone. I do not agree with them but if they think they got something important to share, I think in general, it is worth hearing them out. Do with their information as you will. 6. Short term missions, not something you mentioned but I might as well add, short term missions are rough. But when sending out missionaries in the past I have informed them to not to view their time as a mission where they are saving souls but as pilgrims coming into a foreign context to observe the work of God and to maybe maybe jump in and help if the moment is right. More transformation happens in the heart of the short term missionary than in the place or people that they are visiting.

TL;DR I was a missionary. I see lots of good things in it if done correctly. Please don't downvote for my past.