Wouldn't it be nice if the Southern Baptists mobilized to support the Sikh community after the recent shooting … just to be nice and loving neighbors? Instead of doing it as an opportunity to convert them to Christianity?
I mean, yeah, I understand there's that impulse, but, yeesh, I don't recall the Parable of the Good Samaritan including anything about how the Samaritan left the beaten Jew with some scrolls describing how cool Mount Gerizim was.
Sure, I know the Baptists will argue that they are actually being "loving" to their neighbor by offering up the Gospel and Eternal Salvation — but it also comes across as a crass exploitation of a traumatized community (akin to "Sure, we'll feed you, but you have to listen to a sermon" operations, or "You get a free gift, but you have to sit through a 45 minute presentation on time-shares").
Be helpful. Be kind. Be compassionate. Do it because it's right, not because it will help your recruitment figures. Don't place conditions or codicils on your loving support. Who knows — that might bring more people to Christianity than dropping off some videos.
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Masih: Gospel can overcome Milwaukee Sikh tragedy
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