Is it your job or mission to change others beliefs?

Question

i understand that there are evangelical religions who feel 'called' to spread the word while other religions do not. is it right to publicly berate others for their personal beliefs because you are trying to 'convert' them to yours? shouldn't it be the choice of the believer to belive in what or who they want? from satan to god, to allah to buddha everyone has the right to believe what they want without being subject to their religion being attacked by others who do not believe the same way. bigotry is cancer that eats away at the fabric of our society and is displayed in many different ways...race, gender, sexual orientation, religion....when will those on all sides of these issues realize it is the CHOICE of the person that decides what they want to believe or not, it is not the choice of one who is trying to make everyone believe their version.

Answer 1

the thuggee cult which flourished in india during the first half of the nineteenth century taught that to worship its god (kali) a true believer should kidnap travellers and then ritually strangle them.

i would find it difficult to defend thuggee as an example of religious tolerance.

but on a more general note: what would be the point of a question and answer site where people are constrained from proposing and defending their beliefs?

you are rathe enough to present your own position - which you consider ecumenical (but i don't). you need to accept other people's similar rights.

though of course you are not obliged to post here.

Answer 2

The problem with that is that with religion, YOUR way is the truth and all others are sinners. So of course you'd want to set everyone onto the right (read: your) path, right?

The thing that bothers me the most is when religion gets involved in politics, and people who believe a certain way start voting together to change policies, which ultimately infringe on others' civil rights--particularly pertaining to sexual orientation and the whole gay marriage issue. In other religions, women have no rights. When you look at it, it's just ridiculous that people can still feel this way, this many years into civilization. And it's incredible that it's acceptable to make another group feel like lesser people due to how they were born.

Answer 3

your right everyone has a choice now who they serve. We either serve God or satan and it doesn't matter what anyone says. That's our ownly option but there is a day soon coming that every knee will bow every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
I answer questions the best I know how to with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
I have never attacked anyone. DO I use this as a witnessing tool absolutely and will continue to do so.
Having been an athiest who is now a Christian I know both sides. I know Gods real everyone has a choice mine has been made as for me and my house we serve the Lord.
What about u?

Answer 4

It is not by might or by power, but by His Spirit says the LORD

We cannot force anyone to believe on something, unless that person is willing to believe himself.

You have to read the word and find many thing that happens, that could not be done because people did not have faith.

When Jesus was in his own town city, people could not get heel because they did not believe. Jesus never force them to believe.

So believe is not something that you make, it is something that is born in you.

No matter how many miracles you see and if you don't believe, nothing will be manifest in you.

So I can speak the word of God to you or anyone else and if you are not willing to believe and have faith in the Lord Jesus, everything is in vain. It is like a seed that falls in the dry way and the birds comes and eat it.

Answer 5

I don't understand why these strong arm tactics are permitted, at all.

First, it's impossible to *make* someone believe what you want them to believe.

Second, it is easier to be drawn to someone who is leading by example instead of excusing or justifying any of the rules they don't feel like following.

Finally, negative and/or consistent criticism is proven to be ineffective in almost all areas of human interaction (with the exception of military like training where blind obedience is essential).

Why or how people can rationalize brow-beating everyone not like them is preposterous. Yet, someone this is going to turn around to some kind of persecution, no doubt.

Answer 6

As a Christian, I feel called to answer explicitly the two greatest commandments as articulated by Jesus:

Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?"

37And He said to him, " 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.'

38"This is the great and foremost commandment.

39"The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.'

40"On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets."

(Book of Matthew)

Also, I believe I must "Trust in the Lord and do good"
found at http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23&chapter=37&version=31 in Psalms 31.

Finally I believe that by following those and believing in Jesus allows me to be a blessing in the life of others allowing His light to shine. People often see the truth but won't accept it. It is not for me to change peoples' hearts, but instead to be a blessing for them. Judgement, Retribution, and Salvation come from God, not men.

By offering comfort, by loving and doing good, I, as the kids say today "represent" my God. I can't make a single Christian -- no one can. Only God can change the hearts of others. I can pray for them, help them when they screw up, offer advice, point the way, but only they can choose when and where they will take up a cross.

I strive to be a blessing in the lives of those I know. I make no secret of my beliefs.

Do I believe you can or should brow-beat someone into a belief system? No. Unless their heart leads them there, and God brings them to it, it won't last. Everyone needs to find God in God's time, in God's way, and in their own heart.

God makes converts -- not men.

Answer 7

It is neither my job or mission to change others beliefs. I believe that each person has their own way of practicing and and worshiping whom ever their "higher power" is. I had this discussion with my mother just the other day, and she is a VERY catholic woman. I am also Catholic but I have different ways of practicing my faith. I personally don't believe that I need to go to Church every Sunday to show my God that I love and believe in him, where my mother says I need to show him my love by worshiping him in his house. I can honestly say that I don't practice my religion every day, and I really only go to church on Easter Sunday and Christmas, but if my God is who I believe he is, then he knows my faith and is with me every day, whenever, whether I need his assistance or not. Its my job to follow my faith and let others follow theirs. "God" Bless All, who ever your higher power is.

Answer 8

As an evangelical Christian Pastor I try to answer questions that are posed as honestly and compassionately as I can.
I have never felt it was my job to convict you or place you under conviction.
It is my job to tell you of Jesus, salvation, love and grace.
It is not my job, nor desire, to beat you over the head with the BIBLE.
God has HIS job and I rest in the knowledge that HE is able to do it.
Jesus has HIS job and I rest in HIS abilities.
The Holy Spirit has it's job and once again I rest in those abilities.
I have my job and I pray that GOD gives me the strength to do it.

Answer 9

Hi, I belong to a religion, and in my religion we feel that you are not allowed to cause other people to change their religions and join ours. Since the person has to want to do completely on their own. Even if someone does want to join they are convinced not to 3 times, if they still want to join then they are allowed to.

Answer 10

it is ur duty to change the belief of others without forcing them to do so. if they are adamant that they will not change their beliefs, then u are not supposed to force them. it is only ur duty as a human being to change others belief towards the positive side. it is neither a job nor a mission. but if u are asked to change by others, analyse if what they are saying is right, then decide.