[lsbskins1]

And you will also do well to remember these words:

And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. (Matthew 6:5-6)


It does not say "Be not like the hypocrites.Go ahead and pray out in the open where everyone can see and hear you, but only do it if you really mean it, God will know the difference." It tells you to do it privately and God will reward you openly. If I am anything I am a "people who pretend to know more than me but do not follow the teachings of their own creed"-aphobe. If you want to stand in a field, or on the side of a mountain and people gather around you because they want to hear your message, then you would be following his lead. If you want to force others to listen or if you insist that Christ wanted you to force others, you know little of his actual words. But this presuposes actual following of the creed, and even that is beside the point. If you were Muslim and wanted to call the faithful to prayer over the public address system, I would say that it was wrong, because then - you would be a Muslim forcing your version of religious truth on non-muslims. The point is, no one should do it to any other faith or even to a person of no faith. If you want to respectfully ask me if you can tell me about your faith, I will respectfully answer you that I am not interested and have no problem with your actions if you respect my wishes. You are free to ask, as long as I am free to decline without any more hassle. I would not stop you from attempting to share "the word". I would stop you from yelling at me from the roadside, telling me I am going to go to hell if I do not follow your rules. Do you see the difference? I only ask that you give the same respect you demand.