How do I convince someone they are not going to scare me into converting?

I would say if anyone feels the need to convert anyone else, they are unsure about their own faith and fundementally insecure. Faith is justification alone, it doesnt need others to re afirm it blessed be

You are only saying that because Satin has a hold of you. Here let me save you. LOL Ok even if I am Christian, I get sick of other Christians trying to convince me of their nightmares. So here is my advice, tell them to "shut up". Don't scream it say it in a kind voice, but say it. That's what I do, I simply tell them to shut up. Then when they want to break out into how that was rude, I simply point out to them they started it first. LOL

hi friend, i feel, ppl who resortto threats and extremism are fanatics who do less or no good and more harm under the cover of religion. how can one convince another of his/ her faith!! its your right, your faith, your God. pls donot sucuumb to those who threaten in the name of God and spread animosity thus. Hell, Satan...these are extreme words to blackmail the weak minds and you are not one. so, do not feel scared. Your God is with you. let them do the lowly things, you live a respectful life. smiles...

Lecanis, I feel I have to apologise on behalf of people who do this. As you know, I am a Christian whose relationship with my Saviour is of prime importance to me. We have shared on many occasions and have discussed spiritual matters, but I have never mentioned hell or satan and tried to scare you into believing. It doesn't work that way. I have told you of the love of God and of the relationship I have with my heavenly Father through the Lord Jesus Christ. I believe we should be able to talk about these things intelligently and courteously and it grieves me to know that some people have offended.

The thing about quite a few of this type of people (not all of them, as there are always exceptions) is that engaging them in conversation, or letting them try to convince you (as they see it) is just going to encourage them. In my experience, the best tack you can take, is to tell them once (and firmly) that their viewpoint is completely at odds with your own, that they'll have to just agree to disagree with you, and that's that. If they try to open the discussion again, I'd just tell them "you know where I stand on the issue, so let it go." and change the subject, or walk away. People who try to convert other people are basically salespeople. They are often trained in certain lines of argument depending on what responses you give to their questions, and as long as the conversation is open, they won't stop. It's just a case of being assertive in your closing the conversation, and letting them know you're not interested. Their mindset on this and many other matters, is dictated by their religious leaders' instruction, so you're not actually going to be able to get it through their heads that they won't convert you. You'll just end up going round in circles. So the best thing to do with people like that is to shut down such conversations, as they'll take your participation as encouragement - your different belief system and your different viewpoints don't matter to them - they merely see you as more of a challenge, and therefore a more valuable prize for them in terms of their religion. Life's too short for that sort of thing, in my opinion! All the best!!

well, there are a few ways to do this. The one that was most memorable to be was when i was questioned about why I am not believing the same faith that the person who is asking has. So I ask him. "Do you talk to god?" "yes" "and you tell him everything about me not being in the faith?" "yes" "and did he ask you why he never force me to join your faith?" "cos he says man is free to choose what he wants to believe. When the time comes, he will come to me" "Really?" "yep" "Since god has spoken to you. And in that conversation he never once mentioned my beliefs. Nor does he question my faith. What makes you the person to ask me when even god does not?" "... ..." I never saw him ever again since! heh heh...

I opened this discussion with a comment in mind, but after reading the first page, I just started laughing. It is hilarious that someone, who shall remain nameless, stepped in and proved your point completely. Right on cue. LOL You know I'm a Christian, Methodist and you also know that I respect everyone's faith. I find fire and brimstone preaching dispicable and when they teach the crap to their kids, I think it's akin to child abuse. The thing that they don't get or have never even thought about probably, is they most of them were raised with this fear. The movie "Carrie" comes to mind. They don't comprehend that the reason they are afraid of hell is because they grew up that way. If a person doesn't have that deep rooted fear they will not aquire it. I also would like to say that the fire and brimstone people do not have a personal relationship with God. They have a fear of God. Of course they do. They have been taught that He will kill them if they do the slightest thing wrong. My father always taught us that God is love but temperamental. That's why Christ was sent, as the big brother Sorry, I'm rambling. If they push themselves on you either through attempted scare tactics or just harrassment, simply remind them that their namesake is Jesus Christ. Jesus spoke and then walked away. Those so inclined followed. he didn't chase them down the street telling the the same exact thing over and over again. Ask them what would Jesus do? They probably won't get it but I'm trying to apply a logical arguement to the illogical among us.

It's all a part of the brain washing sweety. I would never try to change anyone's beliefs but I have to say, coming to mylot has opened my eyes. I had no idea some religions or beliefs actually existed in real life. I wish I had more knowledge and understanding, I feel so uninformed and a bit stupid/naive that I've never looked further than my nose. I'm rather curious about things several of my friends have mentioned but when I go looking for answers, I'm overwhelmed with the info that is available and have no idea where to start.

True Christians tell you those things because they care and because the Lord Himself commanded us to do so. We care about your salvation. Without Christ, you cannot be saved from your sins. No one can force you to come to Christ. That is totally up to you. But people can still care and pray for you. Hell is very real. Whether you believe it or not doesn't really matter. It won't change the fact that it exists. Jesus spoke of hell more than He did of Heaven. Both are real places. As I said, it is all up to you, but I pray that you will really think hard and take it very seriously. It will be the most important decision you will ever make. God bless.

Its tough, to be honest to not say anything when somebody is out there trying to scare you to 'hell'. As much as I respect other people's beliefs, I don't give them the chance to question me, once it becomes clear that they are trying to act in a manner that will annoy me. pity them and smile or just walk back, without replying to them. But if they keep annoying me, I would probably say 'Oh really, will I be going to hell? I really would like to see how that place is.' And if they say there is no other God other than mine, I might probably say "Obviously, you have been praying to God to give you faith in Him. Honestly, I think you have enough of it. If I could suggest you, it would do you more good if you start asking for some wisdom too, because it is common sense to ask for something that one does not have." That should shut them up. It's really crazy given that all those that believe in God, also believe that He is the most powerful Being ever and that He can do anything, but some of them fail to understand that God can appear in any form not alone the one that they can recognize. I think it would be better if we pray that they are blessed with some enlightenment too.

Hello lecanis!:-) I don't know why people do that, I am rather surprised when people do it to convince others to come to their belief system. Only if they have knowledge of human behavior and psychology and that they are likely to sway other person away from their "cause", they will abandon doing it. It is well established that people are repelled by fear and get close by offering love and compassion. If they can be made to think and ask themselves that what will they do in a situation where they are given option of either living with a loving and compassionate person (or a stranger) or a terrifying one, I hope they can understand what they are doing. By implying fear and terror, they are causing harm to their own "cause". If they are made to understand this, they will refrain from spoiling their own purpose. I hope I don't sound preachy here with the words I am going to write. If ever I feel inclined to tell others about my GOD, I'll tell them that HE is loving one, compassionate, gracious and forgiving. I'll tell them that HE hasn't forbidden heaven even to those who don't believe in HIM and HE hasn't guaranteed salvation and heaven to those who believe in HIM. The criterion to enter heaven is good deeds whether or not one believes in HIM and if one believes in HIM yet do heinous crimes then his/her belief will do no good for him/her. I'll tell them that HE is all forgiving, if the wrong is just directed to HIM, but not to those who are continuous abusers and who do harm to HIS other creation. HE will forgive abusers only on the condition that they repent and ask for forgiveness from all those whom he/she has wronged. But even forgiveness should be for betterment of society and individuals not for encouraging the abuse. I have already started sounding preachy so I'll stop here but I hope some people read my words. My suggestions to you are in first two paragraphs and to 'others' is in my last paragraph. I hope people see what I would like them to see and share their thoughts.

I read a reply on another subject the other day from someone who was Hindu that really made me think. They said something to the effect "all religions are rivers that lead to the ocean". I know I probably butchered that but it strikes something thats very true. The problem I had with all religions was that none of them were known world wide so how could you be condemned for not knowing one or the other. Than I read "Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls." Jeremiah 6:16 I would say every religion can be a path that will give us that rest if we stick to the good ways. As far as being a sinner, we are all sinners trying to be saints no matter what religion.

lol I hope you don't mind I take this on the funny side. When I get through this kind of conversations with this kind of people, I use two "weapons": one is their own medicine, the other is their personal beliefs holes. Examples: 1. It is you who should convert to my religion. Aren't you scared that Thor will run mad of you and will send you a thunder that will burn you? etc :P 2. You say other religions are bad, why then Jesus said the Samaritan was good? You say magik is bad, then why Jesus healed the blinds, walked on water and so on? You say you have the truth, then why there are so many things of your truth censored by your own religion community? (Bible books, popular beliefs, historical facts of Jesus himself...). I think each case is different, but you can make yourself an idea. It is just a game of knowing what is what makes the discusser so "sure", and why he/she is not really sure. When he/she runs out of arguments I guess they would leave you on your own :P

Lecanis, don't be bothered, that's just the way many people misunderstand the intentions of our Lord Jesus. Yes, I am Christian, and I myself am very clear about the consequences of belief and unbelief. But I don't think that anyone can be converted by fear of hell, not more than anybody can be converted by means of promising heaven. Those are superficial conversions that will not stand the hard test of every day life. As to why Christians are so obtrusive and persistent in trying to convert people -without falling into the behaviour you critizise-, there are two reasons for it: 1. We really care. We are deeply concerned about the fate -here and then- of other people because of the model our Lord Jesus gave us. 2. We are also concerned -and that is a still more powerful motive- that people eventually may submit to God. Because God's glory consists in the voluntary!!! submission of men and women who freely recognize his love and his power. A Christian's desire is to spread this glory. Therefore, and although, as you correctly observe, people of other religions believe just as strongly, we work in making disciples, for the greater glory of God and for the good of our fellowmen. Yes, I know, many evil came from this... but no, this evil comes when people do not understand what it means being a Christian and adopt only the name of it.

Everyone is free to choose to believe in..if its really your convictions not to believe on anything then you are entitled to it..to those who try to inject fear inorder to convert you..well its their way to convince you i guess..just ignore it..and continue on what you believe in..coz those kind of people believe that in doing so they can save you or whatever..

When my sister became born again years ago *not anymore thank goodness* I was constantly bombarded by her to convert or I would burn in hell. She drove me mad and it felt like I was already in hell!! In the end I just gave her the silent treatment and when I refused to acknowledge her comments she did shut up. I did tell her once that I would rather burn in hell than go to a place that consisted of the people she went to church with...they were all so weird and very selfish, which she found out a few years later and left the church herself!! Just give them the silent treatment or tell them to respect your own beliefs as you respect theirs. If all else fails hit them over the head with a big wooden stick!!LOL Good luck

You shouldn't have to feel that you must convince anyone you are not going to be scared into converting. As a Christian myself, I spent many years being confused with issues of fear, and that really held my spiritual growth back. If fear is what people are using, you should feel sorry for them as fear is probably a big factor is their own lives. My advice would be to ask them to go away and pray about what they are saying, then come back if they have anything new to say.

I agree it can be annoying to have someone constantly throw their beliefs in your face. I don't believe that God is going to force anyone to believe in Him. If that is how He works then he would be denying people their free will, a gift He has given to all so they can choose to serve him, or choose not to if they please. He never forces and neither should people who claim to serve Him. If I were being harrassed by people of other religions I would tell them that I have my own beliefs, that they should respect my privacy and my right to believe the way I do. "Thank you for your concern, but no, I'm not going to change my mind today about what I believe."

So I should not tell you about the danger you are coming to that is your destiny what can we do about that.?

It sounds like you need to be firm with this person and tell them, "you believe what you believe and I choose to beleive what I believe." I have a friend who preaches to me a lot. She says she is such a good christian but she does things like lie about her income so she can get things for free. I have decided to ask her not to preach to me. I will listen to people who live their faith not just shove it down my throat.