Converting someone to your beliefs.

No one should try to convert another person's beliefs. Each person has the right to believe whatever they wish - it is called religious freedom. For one person to try to convert someone else; they are basically saying the other person does not have the right to have their own beliefs. "And the main question I would like to know is why? Why would someone want to convert someone to their beliefs?". Actually, the why is simple. There are 2 reasons. The first reason is that their religion tells them to go out and convert people. The only way a religion can grow and be more powerful is if more people can be convinced that the religion is the only one that is correct. Then, they will support that religion and it's leaders. The second reason is more personal - the person needs to convert others to prove to themselves that their beliefs are the best and they have made the correct choice of religion. After all, if they can convince someone else to convert; then, they must be right.

As a Christian, I have been called to do so within the priciples of what I believe. I feel other ppl's eternity is at stake. So if you are talking about religious beliefs, then I would say I am hoping to convert others. However, I realize that you cannot MAKE someone believe. I really prefer to be someone's friend first and later I will share my beliefs with them. It's disrespectful to shove things down someone's throat. If you are talking about my beliefs about other things in life, I really have no mandate to convert others, and I guess it just depends on how deeply convicted I feel about something.

I have yet to meet an atheist that was trying to convert me to atheism. Now if you come knocking they will answer your question, and if you force you religion on them they will fight back. As to religions trying to convert, they have to. Everyone is born an atheist and have to be taught about invisible space ghost. So if no one tried to convert others eventually no one would believe in those invisible space ghost.

For the Christian, we share the Good News of Jesus Christ because we were told to by Jesus, because we believe the world would be a better place if everyone followed the teachings of Jesus, and because we don't want anyone to end up in Hell. I wish people would believe as I do because I'm confident it's what Jesus taught as the way to God and salvation. If I care about people's eternal soul, I have to try to convert them if they believe contrary to God's word as proclaimed in the Bible. I do this because I don't want anyone to go to Hell.

I am Cristian Orthodox, but I never try to make someone to change their religion just because my religion is better. That would be against my ideas about religion account appears towards other people. Religion is not a coat that was a change or something to change it just because you want to change someone. A true Cristian will never make someone believe what he believes, can only one man who does not believe in anything to believe in something, and it is normal to explain about his religion, because on that one knows best. God is one, and in my opinion, any religion , regardless which language speaks the believer. To convert someone to your religion, in my opinion, means to change the personality and what he received from his parents.

Christians are the most known in converting ones belief. I agree with you because these true Christians are following the commandment of the Lord Jesus Christ to teach all nations and baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son ... I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:18-20. Christians want to convert someone to their beliefs because we are talking about the Good News or the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, salvation of ones soul. Please read the book of John of the Holy Bible. Thank you and God bless!

I can honestly say thtat I have NEVER tried to convert someone to my beliefs and have absolutely NO DESIRE to..it would be completely illogical for starters since my path is solely mine....and secondly its not my place to do that sort of thing just like it was and isnt anyone elses place to try and tell me or con me into believing different to what I already do. Only we know by way of deep soul searchign IMO what path is best for us....no-one else can figure that out for us and to try is beyond shallow, narrowminded and arrogant IMO..

I've had people come to my door, spouting off about how I need to find Jesus. This kind of behavior,(in my mind)is a direct attack on my Spiritual Life, and nothing upsets me more. Everyone is entitled to their own beliefs, and no one needs to find anyone else's Jesus. I myself have come under attack in the past for my (implied) attacks on Christianity here on myLot, and perhaps I've failed to explain that I have no problem with the Christian Beliefs of anyone. My problems are with those Christians who can see, and admit to, the faults of their belief system, but are either unwilling, or perhaps unable, to believe their own beliefs, and doubt their own doubts.

I haven't had this urge yet to convert anyone. The thought makes me a little nervous.. But two reasons I believe some people are eager to do so: 1. They are the type that truly loves their fellow man/woman and want everyone to enjoy whatever paradise or reward they get in the end. 2. To cover their own hide. They feel its necessary to save every soul that walks into their site because if that person doesn't make it to Heaven then its their fault for not teaching them about their God.

I am a Christian but I don't try to convert people to my beliefs. What I do instead is tell them about God's word. It is completely up to them whether they accept it or not. It is not my job, as a Christian to try to shove it down their throats. I tell what God wants me to tell people. If they don't beleive it or they don't want to accept it, it is their problem, not mine. God says that if you warn someone and they don't listen, that person will be the one to pay the price. If I don't warn them, then I am going to have to pay the price as well. I don't choose to pay the price. It is much easier to spread the information and tell people about God and what he can do in your life. To give testimony is one of the most important parts of being a Christian and that is why we do it. So here goes. The most important bible verse you will ever hear is: John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosever believeth shall not perish but have everlasting life. :-)

I'll try and keep this brief and to the point. Romans 3:23 through 25 say the following: "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood." All have sinned: We all have sinned, every one of us. Fall short: We do not reach the glory of God. Justified freely: We are justified through... Redemption that came by Christ Jesus: ...through Jesus who redeemed us. We can not reach God on our own. No amount of work, or effort, or trying hard will allow us to meet the glory of God. This separates us from God. However, God sent Jesus to redeem us, and through faith in his sacrifice, we can be freely justified. You ask why I, or anyone else would want to convert people to Christ? If you believed that passage above, and believed that those who do not follow the Lord Jesus, will be separated from God forever... wouldn't you want to covert people?

Hey friend, It's not right to force/allure someone change his/her religion. There's a Christian community named 'Mosihi Jamat' (The Group of Messiah) in our country Bangladesh who allures people with different books, cassettes, CDs, pamphlets for free and try to convince them into Christianity which isn't just in my religion Islam. Islam doesn't teach us to allure into our religion. Our teaching is to make preach our religious sermons without forcing people to listen freely in public. Those who'll be attracted are most welcome and those who'll not are also should be blessed. Our Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam had to undergo terrible rude misbehaviour from the disbelievers while preaching the extraordinary sermons of Allah but he prayed to Allah in stead of pronouncing curse for them. It's not the policy of Islam to force someone to leave his/her own religion. I've been myLotting since December 2009 and when a discussion on religion starts I try to response according to my religion Islam. Now if someone feel interested to Islam and desire to be converted, I'll surely welcome him as my own relative. May Allah bless you.

I hate people who do that, you can`t imagine how much. In my opinion, every different person should believe in what they want to believe, and not to pick their noses into other`s beliefs, as that`s disrespectful. Also you believing in one thing doesn`t mean that it is the world`s ultimate truth, as it`s just a belief. Respect for everyone

Actually, neither Judiasm nor Wicca engage in proseltyizing. I also think Islam spends more time trying to get converts than Athiests, which should make them number 2 on your list.

I have been told that Christians are Called by G-d to do so.Me? I think it is sad that they Have to try to sell their religion like bars of soap.As for my religion,we are not called to convert people , just to respect them. I will explain my religion the best way I can. I will answer your questions but I will never try to convert you Ever. Religion is such a personal path.

I have had certain people come knocking at my door in hopes of getting me to listen to and convert over to their beliefs. I find it an intrusion and rude. If I'm friends with someone who has different beliefs than I do, I don't have a problem in hearing about them as long as they don't start preaching to me that their way is the only way. I don't feel any need at all to convert and start thinking like someone else. I'd be curious to know how many people actually do convert as a result of these peoples efforts.

redhotpogo, First off, is Christianity really a belief system? On what basis do you say that Christians are most known for trying to convert people into their "belief system"? Have you really studied or looked into other belief system to arrive at your conclusions? I am sorry, but I just gather from your post here that you seem to imply that Christians are somewhat both dogmatic and autocratic when there are more extreme cases at other religious quarters. You profess that you are a Christian and yet you do not relate or share your views about the faith. And, I just cannot understand why you have forgotten that given lesson on sharing of our faith and to be witnesses for God that others may come to know the faith. However, let's not forget that we are converting because ultimately it is up to the non-believers to make a decision whether to take up the faith or not. Our words, testimony and witnesses is nothing influencing or coerce or some mandatory recruitment process. Every individual has a free will to decide for themselves. Unlike, some quarters of other religion which I shall not dwell - just doesn't have the word freewill or option in their dictionary or belief system.

Hi redhotpogo, There may be a few people who truly want to help others, there are also those who believe that there is safety in numbers. I have met Mormons, Ba'hi,Jehovah's Witnesses and others who have just converted to their new faith and there so excited that they want to tell the world. I'm not sure why but it may be that they've found what works for them and so feels that it must work for everyone.I don't believe in this nonsense that only one can be right, we might as well be puppets on a string. I honestly think that we must all start thinking for ourselves.I can tell you it would scare the heck out of pastors,ministers and popes if people stopped asking them what was right and what was wrong and started thinking for themselves. How can anyone be a professional in religion? Remember too it's his/her job and they are going to tell you what they want you to believe. Blessings.

In my opinion, I think that if a religion would like to practice converting others, they should do it publicly and have people come to them for information. I am huge on respect and tolerance but door to door is just the ultimate inconvienance. Even if I were curious, I would be so irritated by their intrusion that I would in no way be receptive. I think I would better be converted by seeing a booth and being curious.

I don't think that converting people to our beliefs is fair. Personally, I think like "Paul Feyerabend's Against Method"... You have to teach/learn all the knowledge available and choose the better ones: the most rigorous and convincing explanations. Education will guide us to the right way! As an example: I'm not against teaching Darwinism or Creationism at school, they should be both taught, this is what a democracy and a laïc state is about. However, my real beliefs are directly connected with science, but you should find that for yourself. This means that you should not influence on the people's choice. Last but not least, if someone want to stay in the "darkness" (lack of knowledge) that's not my problem, unless they're doing harm to somebody. I also think that this is a waste of time (trying to convert people), what I really believe is in my ideals and that suffice to me. I don't have to prove it right to anybody that is against my opinions, although I'll listen carefully to the others and reflect about what they're talking about. There's always the possibility that you have made a wrong udgement about something. As I said and reinforcing, If they don't want to listen me that's their problem. We always have something to learn with others, in order to obtain your personal growth.