forced/willing conversion?

Question

for those of you that were born into your particular religion

Have you ever wondered how or why your original ancestors picked their religion?

If it was forced insted of willing would you be more resentfull of your religion.

Why or why not

Answer 1

Nope, never wondered.

Nothing is forced.
Christ is the good shepherd.
He leads and you can choose to follow.

Answer 2

I was baptized Catholic at 6 mos. old and I'm not sure if I ever really wondered WHY...or why my ancestors were whatever religion they were, (good question). My paternal grandfather was from Greece and was a Greek Orthodox and his wife was Irish/Catholic. It was just automatic that my Dad would be Catholic, as would his kids. Luckily by the time I was born my parents were more open-minded and always willing to give me an open door to explore just about any Christian denomination, and I am grateful for that. I think I went to just about every Church in my town at least once with my friends from my neighborhood growing up. I would definitely be resentful if I was forced to worship only as a Catholic or if it was constantly shoved down my throat because I kind of wanted, perhaps needed, to explore other religions. I believe I am better off being informed rather than always wondering what else is out there. I think it has also helped me to keep an open-mind and try to get the good things out of other religions.

Answer 3

If your parents never drove anything but a Ford Taurus, would you then grow up to only buy Ford Taurus? Not likely. You would determine what your needs were, shop around, and find the car that's best for you. Yet, with religion, the core of our belief system, most people never shop for anything other than what their parents had. It's a frightening concept when you think about it. I love and respect my parents and their religion. I have taken a lot of good things from that religion. However, I've also taken a lot of good things from numerous other religions. I know this doesn't really answer your question but it's basically the same concept.

Answer 4

I see some people stating that Christianity was never forced upon anyone. HA! That is a complete falsehood. Let's remember the Inquisition. Most people were forced or coerced or deceived into Christianity.

The best religions are those who don't threaten you with damnation to stay. The best religions are those who admit they don't have all the answers.

Answer 5

I can see by the previous answers most are unfamiliar with the history of Christianity.

Prior to the establishment of the US as a sovereign nation, Europeans were required to be Christian by law and under penalty of death.

Jews were routinely persecuted due to their refusal to convert.

And, forced conversions were one factor that led the US to be founded as an atheist (secular) nation with no requirement that citizens attend church or follow any religion.

Answer 6

The Christian religion says religion, including its own, can't save you, but only a person, Jesus Christ. And it's not about doing good outward actions, but about a heart transaction that you find eternal life. It's not about being a good person, but admitting you're not and asking for mercy not on the basis of what you've done, but what Jesus did.

Answer 7

my parents are ministers so Christianity is in my face all of the time
i think my ancestors were forced onto Christianity when they came here into slavery
it helped them in the end i guess
sometimes i am wonder about my religion but then i think of all my religion has done for me

Answer 8

NO to the 1st question and YES to the 2nd one.
I was raised Catholic, and forced to go to church and confession with the school, and then again on weekends with my parents.

I grew up, and moved out, and don't think I saw the inside of the church for a long time.

Answer 9

The persons forced to convert often may resent it. But after a few generations children may not mind it at all.

They are being told they were saved from Satan after all.

The question you asked is not that simple like Main worry 's or some other answers.I am a Hindu and an Indian. Hinduism is really not a religion in western sence. It includes all kinds of beliefs originated in Indian soil. So it was a natural religion of my ancesters and it is my natural religion. I never converted to it. There is not baptisement ceremony and I just follow it.

If you study Indian History and Islamic onslaught in Indian subcontinent , you will find it is the bloodiest in History.

You will be surprised at the extent and really soon will be comparing with predicament of jews. The style may differ but it has been no less horrible.

Early Christian surpassed their cruelity in India than they had done in Europe. Long after they had stopped those tactics in Europe.

Yet both the muslims and christians in India today are not only OK with it , often they are proud of that history!!!

The conversion does not only make a convert in these conditions.It destroys a life style, a culture , a nation.

The proselitysers brainwash them. literally. It is one person less in the native religion and one more to the "winners". He is now an enemy to his own people.

The neo converts get benefits of all kindse.g monetary, status wise even matrimonial. They are told religion they left was no good to strat with. now they should be proud of themselselves.

The fact that the religion from which they earlier belonged to saw them as deserters did not help either.

Those who refuse to convert under all kinds of coersions were seen as Heroes while converts lost respect. And now if they wanted to return the original faith they were suspected.This made them alienated.

Many were forced to join the slaughter of infedels to prove their new faith.

Most of the Afganistani's were Buddhist and Pakistani have Hindu blood in their veins.The person converted under threat and torture were their anceters, the women raped and enslaved in Harems their grand mothers, the slaughtered people thier own grand grand parents.Yet they talk about victory of those Islamic Invaders with glee and pride.

They really think they are better than Hindus and I am not talking about religion wise only. They identify themselves with the invaders, the rulers . I guess they do not want to associate themselves with those who "lost". Winners get all.

The fact is that many stupid (literally) converts think that now they are superior as they are now part of a religion/culture which defeated natives and ruled it.

It has a lot to do with low self respect. May be those early converts felt guilt for not being able to defend themselves. They were also not respected in their original community now as they had not only surrendered but joined the enemy .They in turn thought they had no other choice and really cant be blamed for trying to survive anyhow.

Today the christian evangelist who are working in India and are involved in immoral and violent tactics are not from west. They are of Indian origin.

The way tribals turn agaist each other after conversion is really sad. Even those who convert join the band to convert others anyhow.

Now they have converted they have to earn their place in this new society and easiest way is going after their own EX religion. More they talk and work agaist it more they are treated Heroes in thier new Avatar.

To resent those amoral tactics by which they were converted needs to be free from low self esteem and guilt from various reasons.

Answer 10

No. I dont really participate much on my religion. I think and I believe that I dont need religion for me to become a good human being. Not even the Vatican!

Answer 11

Hello gratvol.. :)

I do not know what you mean forced..no one can force religion on someone else..your parents can tell you to go to church..but no one can force you to believe..

If they could..there would be only 1 way of thinking..and we know that that is not so..

In Jesus Most Precious Name..
With Love..In Christ..