Converting Others to Your Religious Beliefs

Basically, MOST of us like 4 others 2 AGREE with our views on ANY and EVERYTHING! And so it is, with religion as well! But, even DEEPER than THAT, I feel that the ROOT of this is that most people don't fully ACCEPT themselves, and there-4, they can't really full accept ANOTHER! This concept is talked about in the book "Please Understand Me II", where the author goes on 2 say that MOST of us try 2 CHANGE others, or "convert" them 2 OUR way of thinking, whether it be our religion, or just our way of functioning in the world, in general! He talks about how some spouses try 2 change, or "mold" each other 2 THEIR way of being, how some PARENTS try 2 "mold" their children, or "guide" them down a path that THEY want them 2 go down, NOT necessarily what the CHILD wants 4 his or her life, etc. So, basically, we, as a WHOLE, DON'T appreciate the DIFFERENCES in each other, so we definitely don't RESPECT them! Some say that they "tolerate" differences, but think about it! In a relationship with your MATE (4 example), do u want that person 2 simply TOLERATE u, or do u want them 2 APPRECIATE, RESPECT, ADMIRE, CHERISH, and LOVE u??!!! People are also just NOT open-minded! I know that I'M VERY STRONGLY OPINIONATED myself, as u already know! LOL!!!!! BUT, at the SAME time, I'm still OPEN 2 what EVERYBODY ELSE has 2 say, and as I've told U b-4, I don't consider myself "right", and the other person "wrong"! I just tell people what I believe, and how I feel! That DOESN'T make it "the gospel"! ALOT of times, when I get ultra-philosophical with people, I will quite often mention that "I could be WRONG about EVERYTHING"! All I can EVER do is say how I feel, at any given moment! But, who knows how I'll feel in the future! It's been said that we DON'T c the world as it actually IS, but rather, we c the world how WE ARE! There-4, we're ALL BIASED, based on our natural temperament from birth, our upbringing, the environment we've lived in, and our own personal life experiences. ALL of these things COMBINED shape and "mold" our own INDIVIDUAL view of life! As far as "religions" are concerned, I, like u, have done my fair share of "experimentation"! I tried Christianity (Presbyterian and Baptist), Buddhism, Agape churches, as well as studying New Age/metaphysical topics, like numerology, astrology (both Western and Chinese), aura colors, and various personality typing systems. I am highly SPIRITUAL, but NOT RELIGIOUS, and there's a WORLD of DIFFERENCE! My relationship with Spirit is personal and PROFOUND! I basically take bits and pieces from ALL that I've studied and learned (along with my "gut"), and I formulate my OWN theories, and draw my OWN conclusions! I'm a true INDIVIDUALIST! But, I have NO INTEREST in "converting" ANYONE! EVERYONE has the right 2 believe whatever they WANT 2! And, when some people think MY beliefs are bullsh*t, that's fine as well! I look at it like, I still LISTEN 2 people, and I take what RESONATES with me, and I "toss" the rest! And, others can do the same thing with what I have 2 say! But, since I AM a THINKER (I'm an AIR sign, Libra, so my mind is constantly "spinning", 24/7), I seriously ponder EVERYTHING that EVERYONE has 2 say, even if I INITIALLY "dismiss" it! I believe that EVERYONE has something of VALUE 2 say! We just have 2 be OPEN 2 it! I know I'm going off on tangents here. 4-give me! Back 2 your ORIGINAL point, people just have 2 be OPEN, and realize that no matter how STRONGLY they believe something, they COULD be "wrong"! Otherwise, u will convince (DELUDE) yourself that YOUR way is the ONLY way, and hence, the drive 2 "convert" others! I believe that we're ALL trying 2 know the SAME THING, when all is said and done! But, at the end of the day, we're ALL just "guessing"! NONE of us REALLY "knows"!

Well I being a an ex-converter myself, I can tell you my driving force. I used to believe that my religion was the way and the life. It is like is you had the cure for cancer, wouldn't you sread the news? That is the way people think. Jesus spent his life spreading the word, so why wouldn't his followers?

Some people have done the same to me, trying to convert me. They tell me it's because they are trying to save me. The way I look at it is we all can decide for ourselves who or what to believe. When we die, we will know what the truth is then. Believe what you want. A real religous person shouldn't push you or try to convert you. They are suppose to only tell you they love you as a person and answer questions only. They are suppose to listen and be open minded. Only if you are curious about their religion should they tell you their opinion.

I know that for instance Jehovah's Witnesses preach because they believe they are observing a command that Jesus made to preach to everyone, which is in the Bible. They try to convert others to their religion becuase by doing so, they believe they will be saving them from Armageddon, which they take very seriously. They mean well really, although I must admit it is annoying. I know these facts because my mother is a Jehovah's Witness.

Well every religion says that you have to take your religion into the people who don't kow about it.It means that youhave to tell others the things means rules how to leave to others and educate them. This words are get misunderstand by some people and they thought they have to grab others into there religion and they are doing it.But acyuall duty you have to just tell them what your religion is saying that's it and it completely depends on other one whehter to convert into his religio or not.

Before I share my thoughts, I must first clearly state that my opinions are not, in any way, intended to demean, discriminate, or hurt those who are religious. These are merely my thoughts. Indeed, proselytizing is very much widespread, especially nowadays. It seems that the number of people proselytizing is directly proportional to the increase in the number of members of such religion instigating or sanctioning such acts to proselytize. In response to your question, though, I surmise that there are three reasons, which could perhaps account for the act of some, if not most, religious people to convert others to their religion. Primordial of which, perhaps, is their desire to increase their number and, consequently, increase their power and influence. If they will be able to convert more people and such converts will help them "spread the word," then they could easily increase in number and they will have the distinction of being the religion with the greatest number of members in the whole world. It is reasonable to assume that for some of these religions, number equals power and influence and, thus, the greater the number, the greater the power and influence. Conceivably, thus, their acts to convert non-believers is driven by their seeming need to increase their religious population and, ultimately, wield more power and influence. Some, if not most, religious people could also be driven by their seeming messianic complex. Some, if not most, religions indoctrinate their followers that they are a part of a mystical elite--the cream of the crop, if you will--who will be the only ones who would enjoy a mystical paradise and who would be blessed enough to experience salvation. Accordingly, those who are not part of their religion would not be saved. In this regard, the drive of religious believers to convert non-believers could perhaps arise out of their sense of religious duty to "save" non-believers. Reneging on their duty to convert and, thus, save others could make them feel that they are not following the teachings of their religion. Since they would perhaps want to religiously follow the teachings of their religion and they would probably genuinely want non-believers to be saved as well, they become driven to convert these non-believers to their religion. Lastly, I feel that religious people probably just find it hard to accept the converse of their belief--that there is no god, no afterlife, or no miracles, and the like. So, in a way, if they could convert others to believe in their religion, it may perhaps serve as a form of validation of their own beliefs. Making others believe in their beliefs perhaps gives them a sense of security or a degree of certainty that they are not, in fact, believing in something that is not true. After all, how would one feel if he devoted his entire life believing something he thought to be true but which, in fact, was false? In the end, I really have nothing against religious people who try to convert non-believers out of their sense of religious duty and personal conviction to truly "save" others. However, if the person they're trying to convert does not want to be converted, religious people, who engage in conversion activities, should just learn to accept and respect the decision of such person. In this regard, perhaps the golden rule is very much instructive--do not do unto others what you do not want others do to you.

All theese religious groups need supporters. One religion is strong when the masses follow it. And that`s why the campaigns with agitation as as stronger as the stronger is the faith of the believer.

you are right.. there are so many religions in this world.. and the ultimate teaching of each of the religion is one and the same. they all teach to love fellow human beings and to have fear of god so that there is some discipline in the human society. i really feel that making others to convert to one's religion is a exercise which is not likely to give any positive results for the betterment of the human beings as a whole.....

This is a very good discussion. I'm not saying that because of my failure to fully understand why they do. After going through some rough phases in my life. I too have taken the path of wanting to understand everything tied/ connected to these beliefs. What I found is that you can't make everyone happy except yourself. In my journey of understanding I had decided to start studying their religious views and beliefs. I'm truly glad I did... lol, the experience has opened my eyes and broadened my mind. In a way we all should do this, it could be quite benefitial into making the world a better place for our children. It may influence us to eliminate racism, discrimination, war, and many other crimes! Either I'm just a wishful thinker, or I out of my mind! World Peace.. baby!

First of all I don't try to convert people. I am quite shy so I don't do it. I can only answer for why born again Christians do it. If they are bible believing they believe the mandate to go forth and make disciples of all nations. That is what drives them. I just try to live a decent life and treat people decently. If someone sees God in me then I have done something good. If not then that's ok.

I am a Christian, and if someone asks, then I will tell them what God has done in my life, if they want to hear more, then I am willing to talk more about my faith. But, if someone doesn't want to hear it or wants to argue with me about my beliefs, I won't. I don't believe in shoving something down someone's throat. I don't like when it's done to me, so I won't do it to others. I won't sit there and tell someone they are going to Hell for instance, I think that is just a fear tactic, and I would rather someone come to God because they have a true desire to, and not because of fear. I would rather be a gentle witness to others by example.

Well I think that it is very important that people of faith should share their faith. Its like when you read a good book or see a good movie do you go and tell you friends about the book or movie and try to get them to read the book or go and see the movie too. Sure we all do why do we try to get others to do something that was fun for use. The answer ... the book we read, the movie we saw, the thing we did had a impact on your life and you want to share that with the people you know. Just like when we try to share our faith it is out of a hope that you too will be effected they way we were.

I think we dont should try to convince someone that one religion is bether that another because i think people should seek out the religion they want to belive in.

when you find someting beautiful you want to share it with another perosn. people who finds joy in their religion i would say would do the same thing. i for once do it BUT the only difference is I ASK THEM IF THEY WANT TO HEAR me out or not. The say no than thank you very much for not wasting my time talking to a wall. If they want to listen then I will tell them. and i do not walk the neighbourhood knocking on doors. just close friends :) There is no point forcing someone to "convert". the 2 different things between 2 well kniown religion (not say which is which as not to start an unending bickering) is... one religion is based on acts. you do certain things, you get points to help you go to heaven. you convert someone you get MORE points (yohhoo!) to go to heaven. even if you know the person you are trying to convert probably will never do the required amount of daily prayers, who cares!! you can be evil in your heart but as long as you do certain acts, you already got you heavenage points and thats whats most important. another religion determines whats in your heart will get you to heaven. no ponits/demerit whatsoever. you can practice the religion all your life and just before you die you turn away from God, you go to hell. you live a sinful life and just moments before you die you come back to God, you enter heaven. its what is in your heart. this religion will offer you their practice to just share a beautiful thing with you. if you "convert" or not, entering heaven for them has nothing to do with you whatsoever. now bear in mind, these 2 religion do have their factions. one religion has their people who must practice the "requirements" that they MUST kill every one who do not believe in their religion. another religion has factions just introduce new bright ideas that it is a weekly/monthly duty come bug the living hell out of you.

There are people out there who are religious zealots and cultists and you just have to tell them that they are wrong. If they do not want to hear what you have to say, or if they want to hound you, ignore them and do your own thing.

That is the goal of most practices. In order to keep the congregation going strong, the main idea is to go out and convert as many as possible. More converts means more collections and that means more riches for the organization. More members means more money to build new churches or do other things and expand even more. If there was no conversions, eventually many sects would die out. And since all religions think they are the top dog, they are anxious to spread the word. If you are involved in a religion, you naturally want everyone to see how wrong they are not to believe in what you believe. Imagine if there is 34,000 different Gods for all these religions. Good grief, who can make any rational sense of it all. I think anybody can go out and create a religion. There are no qualifications needed other than having a few followers or believers. And if all 34,000 have their own set of 10 commandments, then we have 340,000 rules to follow before we can get to Heaven. In my view, it is man who has created this nonsense, and God is sitting back and wondering why. Why do I need religion? If I am already manifested from God, I am saved, for why would God condemn a part of himself? I will stick to the scientific views of the universe and creation. It is all about energy and all energy is good.

I used to be a born-again Christian. The reason we believed we had to convert people to our beliefs was that if they didn't believe in Jesus Christ as their saviour, they would go to Hell. So we had to try to show them 'the truth' because their immortal souls were in danger.

Basically, in order to convert another person to one's faith requires the preacher to have an aggressive personality and a firm (not exactly close-minded) loyalty to his or her religion being preached. Some preachers may think that their religion is better to, or problematically, superior to that of the likely convert. This bigoted idea of religious supremacy and personal imposition of one's faith reveals a poor discernment of why the world needs to uphold the respect for religious differences and acceptance, rather than the celebration of people's rights to express their faith among others.

Converting others will not make then to join in that region very happly. They belive the region and join means they r orginal otherwise the soonly changed to other also