Religious preference is a very personal choice and this is the reason why people will always stood hard on their religious convictions come what may. Some are even willing to shed blood in order to have the freedom to practice this religious preference. Armed with a great conviction that they are agents for world salvation, proponents and adherent of various religious names are always attempting to convert other people into their fold. Have you tried doing this to your friends, relatives and even strangers?
Well, being that I'm Jewish, I can't really preach it to my friends and try to convert them. But friends of mine who are Christians or Catholics have tried to convert me and find it to be very disrespectful. I mean, a person can't just change their religion just because others say good things about another one.
I understand. Judaism is one of the most important religion in the entire history of man. I have a total respect for Jews because they are one of the cornerstone of the society and continues to play a major role in the pursuit of peace, harmony and development. Yeah, a lot of Christian-professing groups are into proselytizing other people as part of their commission which is to convert and save the whole world. Well, anyway, we have to respect differences and must always practice tolerance at all levels.
Being an Eastern Orthodox, proselytizing is not an important thing in my agenda. Our church concentrates more on preserving historical places of worship, helping elderly people and patients, rebuilding orphanages and fighting alcohol as well as drug addiction. Some Islamic and Pentecostal sects are active here and are going all out to convert people. Muslims are not having any success, but the Pentecostals are converting a lot of people here in Siberia, which can create religious tensions in the future.
I agreed that choosing a religion is a personal choice. If we will based it on the Bible, it was commissioned that we " Go ye therefore and preach the Gospel to every creature" and " Preach the Word and be prepared in season and out of season". I am shy and quiet person but I try my best to share the Word of God but not forcing anybody to join my religion. My stand in life as believer is to share the God's Word to anybody who needs it and it is God's work to touch that person's life. I don't like to brag anybody to join my religion. When I was studying in High School and College it was them who asked what is my religion as I am not telling them which group I belong because the most important to me is to tell them about what I believed the salvation in "Jesus Christ". I applied for a job once and we were 74 applicants, some of them are veterans with the job itself and I am a new one. After the interview, I included to the 7 people who were hired instantly. I am surprised that other applicant asked me if what is my religion because they could hardly believed that I will get hired and they said it must be my faith that works and my belief in God. In instances like that I will not pass the moment without sharing them about the goodness and faithfulness of God in my life.
I never tempt to convert to any other religions. I also do not tempt to force others or encourage them to convert in my religion. I am a Catholic. Although i am also talking or sharing to them things about my religion, i did not make to the point that i am saying that my beliefs are better. I will always respect their faith as they respect mine too.
Here Islamic militants have assassinated a very large number of Christian priests who tried to spread Christianity to the mostly Muslim mountain people. Those who died includes Orthodox priests, like Denis Sisoyev and Pentacostals, like Artur Suleymanov. Muslims are free to spread their religion anywhere in Russia, but the opposite is not true. I am not in favor of proselytizing, but this paradox bothers me a lot.
I don't think I've ever tried to convert someone. I believe that religion is a personal choice and it isn't mine to make for somebody else. Most of my friends do know what I believe and I freely have discussions about it, but I respect others and do not look at it from a right vs. wrong perspective. I think as long as people know and respect my beliefs, I can do the same.
I have, but I never really think of it as "conversion." The Bible teaches Christians to share the Gospel and spread the Word of God. Far from being something that expresses intolerance or hate, it's supposed to be an act of love. Remember, the Bible teaches that Christ is the only way to find salvation and that, without Him, the world is lost and condemned by God. As Christians learn the Word, they want to spread the truth of this message and have other people saved from condemnation and share in the love of Christ. If Christians kept silent and hid their faith, no one would ever be saved and we'd all be condemned. It's a communal religion, not a personal one that you "keep to yourself." I also don't like that many people attribute Christians with so many things that have gone wrong throughout history. Not all people who profess the faith are actually real believers. It's easy to profess Christ in order to control or assert power over people. Plenty of missionaries have gone throughout history to effect positive change in the world, like building schools and teaching, bringing medicine and hospitals, food and other helpful things to nations in need of care. They've done that as well as share the Gospel, but the first things people think of when they think of "conversion" are things like the Crusades and other spilled blood over religious battles. You shouldn't have to force and certainly shouldn't use violence to share your faith. For Christians, I think of that as a contradiction and people who do such things are not really believers.
If possible, we must try to convert others to follow Jesus. We must try to tell the Good News to everyone who never have the chance to hear it so that they know the news that Jesus had brought from heaven. It's our duty to evangelize and tell others about Jesus and convert them so that they go to heaven too. We must tell them and not force them. If they don't want to follow Jesus, it's their choice of freedom to choose between heaven and hell that Jesus has talked about.
No. You can share your faith with others and share words of wisdom with them but I'm not desperate enough to convert them because conversion is a person's own free will. If they saw the light of God in me and wanted to become like me or they agree to my beliefs then it's up to them to follow me. To have a disciple doesn't mean you have to force them to transfer to your religion.
^ This. Evangelism, proselytising or whatever you want to call it is - quite simply - the worst thing any religious person can do. Well, apart from starting crusades, performing genocide and that sort of thing... It's invasive, it shows no respect for the other person's beliefs and, to be blunt, it's incredibly annoying. All four of my brothers are raving Goddies (read "strong Christians" ) and have tried this at some point with me or other people and it always - always - has the opposite effect. Eyes roll, sighs are deep and heads shake. Trying to convert people damages how they see your religion. The sooner church leaders of all types learn that, the happier we'll all be.
I have never tried to convert anyone faith and I doubt I ever will. I believe that we are all entitled to our own beliefs. In fact, I kind of find it interesting to find out about other religions and their beliefs. However, because I don't go around trying convert someone I expect the same courtesy. In other words, I don't want people trying to convert me to their beliefs. I think we should all respect one another for who we are, and our religious and spiritual beliefs are a part of that.
I do not feel any need to "convert" anybody to my path. At times people will ask my why I am always smiling and happy. I will then tell them that I am a Buddhist and I really don't find any benefit to worry about needless things. If they ask me more questions then I will explain what I know of Buddhism and that is it. Religion or a spiritual path is a very personal entity. Only God knows our heart and he will provide the insight that we need. On the other side of the picture, if a Christian comes to me and starts to proselytize I have no problem as I feel that I can always learn something new...but it has to be a two way street. Some of them are articulate and know what they are talking about and others only know how to toss out a few verses, so if I am polite enough to listen to them they will also have to listen to my thoughts as well.
I don't for two reasons. One I am still developing in my faith journey myself, so I couldn't be the best person to try to convert someone right now. I will offer help and advice in either case. The second reason is that I feel your actions should be a larger testament to people than your words. If people look at your life and beliefs and want to follow that path, you won't have to convert, you just need to show and teach.
I think this paradox can be found in just about all religions. There are people or places that people feel that it's not worth to try to convert someone. In my opinion, that is when human nature conflicts with religion.
