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graphiqual — I believe in God...
Published: 2010-12-21 04:07:22 +0000 UTC; Views: 11608; Favourites: 110; Downloads: 900
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Description
This is a message for all the Christians out there (especially here on dA) who think it's okay to proclaim their faith obnoxiously to every corner of the internet, for all to hear and see, in hopes that they might successfully "convert" someone online. It never happens, I tell you. You never convert someone through an argument. Voicing your beliefs to those who don't want to hear will only cause drama, and there is never gain in causing dArama, of any kind. Sometimes "love" is backing down before you create an argument, and sometimes "love" is putting yourself in the shoes of others before you speak. Most non-believers do not appreciate being told that God loves them and they are sinners and need to repent. Maybe the best way to love in this instance is to respect that and move on.NOTE: There is a difference between an argument and a debate. I have nothing against good debates. Just don't try to start a debate where a debate isn't wanted.
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Comments: 87
Thanks for making this! And for expressing so eloquently exactly how I feel 
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Thanks for you comment, I agree completely. Remember we are called to be "shrewd as snakes and innocent as doves".
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I see people still don't read the artists' description...*sigh* Guys this is aimed at Bible thumpers not at people who have the wisdom to know when to speak. Souls are never gained in an argument...geez, I haven't been to church in ages & I still know that.
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Thanks very much, I'm glad you agree with me.
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I made a response to this...don't know how u'll feel about it..but I just had to make it. [link]
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Thankyou for your response, but I'm afraid it appears to me as though you've missed the point. You claim to have read my artist's description, so if you'd like a further explanation of my motive, I suggest you read my response to this person's comment here, as I believe he is saying something similar to you.
[link]
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The only thing I really don't agree w/ on ur image is ur passive attitude. yes, I do get ur point and from ur link I see more about what u meant ...but... not telling others about Christ simply b/c they don't care is against the vry fabric of Christianity. Christ called us to b active in our faith..not passive.(Deuteronomy 31:6, 1 Corinthians 16:13, and 2 Timothy 1:7) Yes, I do understand Bible thumpers are over-kill Christians and I do understand arguments nvr lead a person to Christ, however, sharing ur faith is part of being a Christian.(Luke 8:4-15) We must share to ALL ...even if only a few accept it. btw...UR A SINNER!! oh wait..SO AM I!!
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I can't say that I believe in "God" but I do believe in a higher power, and I can't say that I read the bible mainly because I think its like super complicated, BUT I can say that I believe death is resurrection, because in my opinion your actually more free and alive when your dead *Look around room* Eyup. Nice piece by the way :3
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I really like the look of the artwork I agree that arguments never accomplish nothing good, as love really is the answer. However I do believe that we should mention God at every opportunity, and we should try lovingly at every opportunity to get our neighbours to come into that salvation as well. If we believe that Christ is the only way to eternal life, then how dare we who are called to love everyone not proclaim this good news constantly. How much love do we have for a brother if we watch him unknowingly walk to his own death? I am as guilty as most others of not proclaiming Christ is the Only Way lovingly at every opportunity.
We aren't called to get along with everyone else we are called to be peculiar. We are called to love - the greatest thing to acquire for an eternal creation is eternal life which is available only through God. Helping others to focus on God and their eternal life then is the true expression of love while on earth as I see it.
I really do wish you would do another piece same title, different words.
God Bless
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I'm afraid you're actually missing the point of you're own faith. Of course no one needs to be obnoxious or rude because that will never get a point across to nonbelievers...however it kind of sounds like you're uncomfortable with sharing your own faith. Why would it bother you to see scriptures on the net or whatever? There are tons of athiests who scream at the top of their lungs why they dont believe in God or Jesus, and while we dont have to be volatile about it, we also dont have to take it lying down. This piece is gorgeous to look at, but it seems like it's coming from someone who is afraid of standing out as a Christian. Ask yourself, if someone told you to witness to a person who doesnt believe would you do it and why? You're still a Christian and I still love you (even though i dont know you lol) and I hope you find more confidence in Him. Again--this piece is really nice.
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I am not uncomfortable sharing my faith, nor does it bother me to see scriptures on the net. What does bother me is when Christians (or so they call themselves) are insensitively shouting "SINNER" across the internet to every athiest they encounter. More often than not, I see comments like these turning into large scale arguments involving a lot of name-calling and usually ending in both sides fighting over who is the more stupid/unreasonable/mindless/rude/sinful/whatever. What frustrates me most about these arguments is that a lot of the time, the Christian continues to defiantly stand by the fact that they are "loving" the other person by repeatedly telling them that they need to repent of their sins, when clearly 1. the other person couldn't care less, and 2. the more they say it the more drama it creates. So, it is my opinion that in situations likes these, it is more effective and also loving to simply step back and let it go. Creating an argument never (or rarely) "converts" anyone.
If someone told me to witness to a non-believer, I absolutely would do it. How I do it depends on the circumstance and who the person was, but I wouldn't "witness" in a way which creates pointless drama. And that is all this piece is about.
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Mark 16:15
"And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature."
As much as you would like to live this way it is not what God requires of you.
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Thanks for the verse but I'm afraid you've missed the point, and you're exactly the kind of person this message is directed at.
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what type of person is he? I kinda wanna understand where youre coming from...
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Mark 16:15
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
As much as you would like to live this way it is not what God requires of you.
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Not sure that's what Jesus did.... of course we shouldn't be obnoxious, but we should not be quiet when it's a matter of eternal life, or death. I have friends that were made disciples even when they were annoyed by all of the "quoting" at first...it eventually got to them. So it just depends.
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I know it depends, and there are many different opinions on this matter, but I still stand by the belief that creating an argument is not the way to go converting someone, and also that it is extremely difficult to outreach effectively to people online where only words are used and not actions. And I do believe the core of everything Jesus did was LOVE, and this is a message to the "Christians" I see who do not outreach in a very loving way.
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A nice design and concept. I agree too with you. There is absolutely nothing wrong with proclaiming our faith and certainly nothing wrong with living our faith. However we should not be pushy and force feed it to people. Christ himself spoke with many people who refused to see what was literally right in front of them. But he didn't push them to follow him.
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I love this!
Such a great concept, I completely agree with everything in the artwork and in the artist comment below.
I get so frustrated when christians try to shove their beliefs down other people's throats. And starting an argument is just unnecessary and proves nothing. The best way for us to demonstrate our faith is to not only talk the talk, but to walk the walk and love others despite our differences. (:
Wonderful work! 
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That is absolutely right! Thanks very much
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You are most certainly welcome! (:
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I came across this and I thought it was cool. Nice job 
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The greatest news shouldn't be kept only to ourselves but we should also be sensitive and understanding. We can always try to share the gospel and just leave the rest to God instead of being aggressive. There are some Christian denominations/sects who instead push unbelievers from Jesus. You're right about not forcing anyone with our faith. We can be witnesses of Christ by our actions which indeed can speak louder than words. great message!
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Thankyou, that's a great attitude to have
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but what if, just for the sake of debate, Jesus' death and resurrection are a fact, as you have shared you live your life believing...what if that fact could give someone hope or save someone's life? ...what if you had a vaccine for cancer but didn't want to tell anyone about it because you were worried you might accidentally force it on someone who doesn't know they might get it? ...what if nobody had read the bible to me or shared with me what made their hearts beat faster and inspired them? ...I am always glad to hear about what makes others hope and feel joy and experience things in ways that are incredible to them ...and I am forever grateful to the Christians who thought to share with this former non-believer the thing that made them tick... I can't imagine my life if they had decided not to share with me... perhaps we should just take people as they come and see where it takes us... not all non-believers are the same and perhaps the next one you or I meet would really love to be told that anyone loves them. Even God.
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That's a good point you made and I'm glad you brought it up. I guess what I'm mostly trying to say with this piece is that we need to be able to recognise when our words about Jesus are unwanted, ineffective, and causing more harm (or creating more drama) than good. I also believe that actions speak louder than words, especially when it comes to sharing the love of Christ, and since what we say on the internet is pretty much all words, I think it'll be impossibly difficult to "convert" someone online.
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I can definitely get behind the idea of actions speaking louder than words and the importance of knowing where people are at...thank you for having a message in your art that does remind us all to be sensitive to what the people we're trying to love or inspire need.
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A month ago I would had agreed with you. Lovely typography though
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As a non-believer, I really appreciate this. I know that others are not like me, there are those who believe in god, or something else, and it is not my job to judge them because of it, as it is not their job to judge me. There is enough space for all of us, and for our different beliefs and opinions. Thus we should respect that space. That difference.
So thank you.
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Thanks very much to you, for the lovely comment
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