Should you convert others?
Evangelical Christians believe it is their duty to convert others to the Christian religion in order for them to receive salvation. Do you believe you should try to convert others to your own religion? Why or why not?
7 Responses to “Should you convert others?”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
December 1st, 2006 at 10:41 pm
No, I don’t believe it is my duty as a Christian (I avoid any labels attached to Christian) to convert anyone! I believe it is my duty and calling to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with everyone who wishes to lend me an ear. I have traveled all over the world as a missionary and as a tourist. I have discussed my beliefs with Christians, Muslims, Jewish people, Hindus, Buddhists, atheists, agnostics, and others. It is not my job to drag them kicking and screaming to the knowledge of Christ. We must first establish a comfortable and trusting relationship with individuals before they will listen to our inner beliefs. Only then does it have any impact. Love is the universal language and no one spoke it better than Jesus. I have seen many come to accept the Lord as their Saviour and, I know, I will see many more come to know what I consider to be the Truth of the Gospel.
December 14th, 2006 at 7:50 pm
I was raised in a very Evangelical Christian environment, and I was taught that it was my duty to “evangelize” to those around me. While we didn’t use the word “convert” in that context, it’s what we were taught to do. Our salvation didn’t hinge on our success, but often, our “status” within the church community did.
The film “The Big Kahuna” gives what I think is a great perspective on the disconnect between how Christians view their role in the world and how others often see them.
December 19th, 2006 at 2:25 pm
I was raised Hindu. In the Hindu faith it is beleived that God can take any form he/she pleases anytime he/she pleases. It is also beleived that God comes in many forms for many different reasons as we are in need of he/she. In this thinking it is concluded that all true faiths lead in the same direction. So, therefore one should not attempt to convert — for we are all on an inner journey dependant on what we are suppose to learn in this life. It is beleived that since there are many paths we should not disturb the path of another, unless they are in need and are seeking guidance.
Most of my life people have been trying to convert me to their religion or views. But, the irony is that I can see the truth in Christ, Islam, and all the rest without needing to convert. In the Hindu faith we can still be Hindu and still have faith in Christ. But, the difficulty comes when I explain that I also believe in Krishna, Mohommad, Rama, and Buddha.
“Incarnations are all the personifications of Iswara (God). In the ocean of Sat (truth) – Chit – Ananda (bliss) a wave rises up in one place at one time and it is called Krishna. Another wave rises at another place some time later and it is called Christ.”
- Sri Ramakrishna
It is my faith that all forms of God on earth are of the one same God we all know and love and therefore there is no need for conversion. Though we should be there for one another when we lose our way.
Adria
December 19th, 2006 at 8:51 pm
I think that there is nothing wrong with sharing our beliefs, but I think we should seek first to understand others before attempting to change anything about them.
December 25th, 2006 at 3:29 pm
Judaism never has been a proselytizing religion. Judaism does not hold that Judaism is the only valid faith. We don’t believe heaven’s door has a “Jews Only” sign on it. Judaism is only for Jews and for those who want to be Jewish. Yes, our scriptures say we were called to be a “light to the nations” but I interpret that to mean that we are to set an example, not make the world Jewish.
I never discuss Judaism with others unless they ask me a specific question which I’m happy to answer concisely and honestly and without any hint that the person should accept Judaism. To do so would be so NOT Jewish.
December 29th, 2006 at 1:35 am
Cytocop, very well said.
I am wondering about those who do practice a religion in which it is part of their religious practice or tradition to encourage others to join them. For example, Mormons and jehova’s Wiotnesses. A large part of their practice includes publicizing their religion and encouraging others to join, in fact Jehova’s Witnesses feel that to do so is neccessary, they really do feel that they must attempt to save those of us who have not been exposed to and accepted the their truth.
I feel that, as an understanding, objective and egalitarian human being, I have to respect their religion, and that even though I am not interested in converting to be a Jehova’s Witness and I do not believe many of the things that they do, I must respect that this is something they feel they must do to satisfy their version of the Divine.
Can we do that? Can we respect another’s right to judge us unfavorably ?
December 30th, 2006 at 10:28 pm
Malka, thank you for the compliment. I think evangelical Christianity includes more denominations than just Mormons and JW’s. But you may be singling them out as they are two denominations noted for evangelizing door-to-door.
Your question challenges us as Americans: Do we defend to the death the right of another to speak words to us that are hurtful and offensive to us - that might even incite violence against us? Well, I have to the extent that I don’t advocate restrictions against free speech; I’m a fan of the First Amendment. As long as they don’t start enacting laws that would discriminate against non-Christians and lead to persecution. There is a small (but growing?) movement of evangelical Christians who want to make the United States a theocracy - in much the same way the Islamic Republic of Iran is a theocracy. This group frightens me like the KKK and Nazis do.
To answer your question is difficult. I suppose it depends on what am I being judged unfavorably by? The KKK and neo-Nazis would judge me unfavorably. So I confess I can’t say I RESPECT another’s right to judge me unfavorably. But as long as their judgment is verbal only - and not an action - I can certainly TOLERATE their right to judge me unfavorably. My evangelical brother judges me all the time, and I tolerate him. If I can handle it from my own brother, I can handle it from a stranger.