Why force others to believe what you believe?

You;re right, some people can be so annoying the way they try to convert you and convince you their their religion is the correct one. I don't mind people believing in things but brainwashing others is morally wrong. Children are especially at risk because they can believe pretty much anything. That's when I just flip out lol.

Because some religions say that they are the only way to salvation or however you want to call it.People become so fanatic that they forget the differences in beliefs and interpretation. I have never really seen a successful debate amongst my circle on religion coz each one has his or her ultimate truth in what he or she believes in and this has a very intimate meaning to each one.Isn't it that when you have something very much connected to you in anyway or another then that becomes very valuable to you to the point that you feel the need for others to see and believe why and how important that is to you,no matter how unessential it is to them.

Of course no mere mortal has the power to send anyone to hell. What some of us are trying to do when we present our argument for our particular faith is to warn people that rejection leads to a separation from God and to be separated from God means going to hell. If you were drowning and someone threw you a lifeline and you refused to grab hold of it and that person who threw the lifeline said to you, "You're going to die if you don't grab hold," would you think that person was trying to force their belief on you? When a Christian tells you that you're a sinner (the drowning person) and says you need to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior (the lifeline) and you refuse to accept Him, when that Christian tells you that you'll go to hell for rejecting Him this is a word of warning, not condemnation. Some people warn you about going to hell because they don't want that to happen to you. Others tell you you're going to hell hoping it will happen. It all boils down to what's in that person's heart.

How did a religion become a religion in the first place? Wasn't it because someone shared his beliefs with other people? Jesus talked to many people and shared his message. Other religious leaders have done the same. I agree with that there is nothing wrong about a person believing in a certain religion or in sharing his beliefs with others. The problem is when one person tries to force his beliefs on others. Why not try to attract other to our religion by telling them about it and letting them decide what they want to do. And please, let us let God handle the judging!

Same right you have to say you are not. We all should say what we believe. If we believe that denying a faith result in going to hell, then wouldn't you want to warn everyone?

What a good question to ask., and you have got two excellent responses from Jaiho2009, and Chaits 86... that really cant be added to.. I think that it is not the teachings in the religions that are at fault., but the nature of human beings to "have their way" to be proven right etc I think religion would be just fine if their where no people in it... LOL but no one has the right to impose,force,or threaten bad things(curse) others if they do not see things the same way as you do., in any topic, but definately in religious beliefs, and the sort answer,I don't think any one has the right to tell you you will go to hell, firstly if they understood their religion , they surely would know that ., that., decision is not up to them !!! best wishes x

It doesn't anger me anymore . I just pity the person. If they are christian , then the " Go to hell" statement will hurt them more than I. I am not a Christian so I don't believe in the hell they are talking about. And it Really makes no sense to say it to a Atheist! They don't believe in any G-d or heave or hell! I pity those who believe they Must convert Everyone to their religion. I believe there are many paths to G-d. Jesus, Allah or the Superior Being for a reason. Not All people are the same. The path maybe different. The name we call Whomever is Certainly different and what He/She expects from us differs largely but we get there. Call it Heaven, Nirvana, Whatever. And as for those who chose not to follow any path, they are not less of a person or soul. And I don't believe they automatically are punished. Religion is a choice. People have the right Not to chosse Any religion. There are ways to discuss your religion and help teach your point of view Without demeans another's view. I have discusse religion with friends of other's religion abd we have found common ground and we have not only respected but celebrated the differences.But to force another to follow your path not only is is disrescpectful but a waste of time. Does a person come to a religion Only out of fear Truly belong? Will their heart Truly be open? I don't think so.

"Join my religion because mine is better" is not, I think, a force upon others. Force is like "join my religion or am gonna shoot you or cut you to pieces etc". Personally, I have not heard anyone say join my religion or you'll go to Hell. If Muslim or Christian share about their belief like that that's a pathetic way of sharing their faith.

Hi silvercoin, I have met some wonderful people who felt that they had found the truth and just wanted to tell others about it. The problem is that they forget that what's right for them is not necessarily right for everyone. Many feel that their way is the only way and that they have an obligation to tell others about it. Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses especially go from door to door in an attempt to reach others and this is often upsetting to other people. They are however, no different from other fundamentalist Christians who also claim they they alone are right. The greatest problem I see is the indoctrination of children instead of having them wait until they are adults and making decisions for themselves. Blessings.

Religion is the most debated issue of all time,more hotter than the hottest celebrity in town. It is becoz,each individual is fighting for what they believed is right according to their faith and beliefs. Religion can make a person a better or a bad one,it is not the person's (individual)fault,it is the leader's,what the leaders of their religion taught them to become...a better or a bad one. And,even if they are doing wrong yet claiming they are the right religion. I don't force other people to believe in my faith and belief. I let my acts and deeds do the talking,and leave them their choices. For as long as i am doing all the good teachings that i've learn from my religion and never fight nor hurt anyone (what more with killing). I am already showing other people what kind of GOD i am worshiping of. A God of love and mercy and i let God manifests on me.

IF love each other no one is going to force some one what is wrong and what is right the most important thing is when you like some one you accept every thing. even his/her religion and many many more things. you dont see faults in it and you are almost blind when you compare it with others. i dont know about others but when i see and like people near me i dont see any thing in their religion or any thing what they look like i see what they are made of? i have lots of friends round the world and i see no difference in them and i count every one the same. but some in the world as on page few told you that they are insecure. but the explanation which they gave is wrong because preaching your things is called marketing and there is nothing wrong in it. if you market your religion people will come to know what is better and what is worse in it. as some of them said Islam and etc etc are insecure religions based on insecure people then i think 10% of community of the world is not mad so that they are accepting such religions every year. i think those people are feeling insecure those who talk like this because they are not sure enough how to defend their religion. infect most of them have no time for religion. they have that religion because their parents had that. they dont know what is written in their books and what their holy prophets have told them to do. i feel sorry for such people because they say what they are worried of and blame others for that. i can surely tell those people that actually you are insecure of your own selves and unsure about your religions. because there is a need of religion on earth. Like we need a doctor to get heal we need a lawyer to debate we need a Prophet to follow to live a live in the world. i am sorry because i know i might have hurt you with what i said but i will say what i think is right. and yes,i have seen some people in my life too those who will say your religion is better and i want to join and when they will see you are not there they will say.. what a rubbish they must be killed. they are ugly people. they say we need a change and after some time they say they are better to live like that.. i have seen such people too.. they are called back biters

I think there are many reasons. Some devout believers may think it's their duty to make more persons enlightened in their gods halo; Some religious workers can get benefits from more believers; etc. All these makes them can't tolerate there are some peoples don't believe them at all. You should have heard of Crusades and Inquistions. Those are these guys' relatively extreme expression.

In Christianity we believe we need to share out faith with others. It's our duty as Christians. We want to share Jesus with as many people as we can so they can join us in Heaven. We respect other religions, but still try to share ours as much as possible.

I think thats more like blackmailing someone.If such a person joined the religion out of the fear you instill in them.You see they will not be joining you because of their own free will.Guess what they are bound to backslide soon after.You need to show them the values in your religion and let themselves.

Everybody believes that their religion is the right one and that couldn't be true. To prove that any is right will create war Going to war won't prove anything either because it is difficult to find a judge to declare the winner. It seems we are all destined to hell until we find the judge, amen.

they do it because they're insecure in their belief. they need other people to think the same as them, because if they don't, then they worry that they might be wrong. they feel threatened whenever they discover somebody else who, when faced with their beleif, rather than thinking it's right, they think it's wrong. it opens up that possibility to them that maybe, just maybe, someone else might be right and they might be wrong. so they try to make the other person change their mind in order to take away that possibility that frightens them. the fact is, ANYONE could be right and ANYONE could be wrong. I think that no one knows the secrets of the Universe, we all just try and grasp it as best we can within the confines of a brain that is smaller than a football. we are not equipped to understand the Universe completely. there's jigsaw peices out there, but nobody has the full picture. our brains can't hold it. when people are secure in their beleif and aware that no one knows the whole story, they don't feel threatened by others having reached a different conclusion to them.

because many religions are viral by design

I think these forums and discussions are places to share our beliefs and knowledge. There's nothing wrong with having different beliefs and religions but like you said, the "wrong" part is when people try to force others to believe what you believe. People may ask for one's views and opinions but it doesnt necessarily mean that he or she will believe you. we should respect each and everyone of us. it's also a lesson that different religions teach.

I didn't force anyone to understand what I believe. It doesn't work after all and I don't have that capacity to convince someone. I leave it to GOD, if they understand, they will else not. Why would I waste my energy to convince them ? Whatever they will think doesn't matter much. I am clear to myself and done my duty understanding them once, no need to repeat the process.

Actually in my life time i haven't saw anyone doing such thing. If some one want me to believe in some thing that he/she does, then i will never. On top of that religion, my god, how can some one force to believe in some thing that is legal. But its okay if he/ she trying to make the person believe in right path. May all the hard time's come my way but i promise, i am not going to believe in the religion that i don't belong.