Do you need to convert others to your religion?

Question

Thx Rachel :-)

Answer 1

No, in fact, in Christianity, the great commission was thought to only have applied to the apostles originally experiencing it, however, later, as the Catholic church was converting more people, the protestants believed that they would be out numbered, so they changed the meaning of the great commission to apply to all Christians.

The Borg assimilate people into their collective, and I see little relevance to this question in the above answer.

Answer 2

Nope.

In fact Hinduism teaches that trying to convert others is spirituall damaging to both the person being converted and the person doing the converting (although there are some sects in Hinduism that do try to convert others). Converting tends to be the exception rather than the rule. I consider myself a "convert" to Hinduism...since I was not born into the religion, however it is a misnomer. No one came to me and started sharing their religion with me. I, instead, went searching the religion and found others who were willing to share with me about it and read books, etc. So the word convert paints a picture that isn't really true for how I came to Hinduism at all. But prosletyizing or evangelizing others, which is a better way of saying it, is definately something that Hinduism frowns upon (which did not happen to me).

And I have no need to try to convert others to my religion. I am happy with the religion I practice and I can see that others are happy with theres. Hinduism teaches that all religions are equal and valid paths to God, that everyone will reach their spiritual goal (whatever it may be...since we each have different ones) and that there is only one God that is called by many different names by people. So if that's true, then there really isn't a need to convert anyone since HInduism says that every religion offers the same truths in it and that every religion can provide the individual with the experience of the universal truths of the innate nature of the inner Self if they seek it thus there is no need to convert anyone to Hinduism. However, Hinduism is always happy to embrace others who wish to practice one of the various forms of Hinduism if they choose. A lot of gurus and priest will often make sure that if you are changing religions that you are truly sure that changing religions from whatever religion you were to HInduism is truly what is needed for you (afterall as far as their concerned if you find inspirition and truth in the Bhagavad Gita and the Bible then go ahead and read both of those books, there is no need to convert to an entirely different religion). So there is a lot of care taken to make sure that there is no spiritual damage done. As far as I was concerned, the more I learned about Hinduism the more at home with it I was. I always felt like an alien in Christianity (a heretic Christian is another way to say it). I don't feel alien or heretical in Hinduism. It is my spiritual home, I just missed it when I first began looking into spirituality and religion (most likely because Hinduism is a minority religion where I live and Christianity is extremely dominate).

Answer 3

No one needs to convert anyone. And no one can convert anyone. Worshippers of Christ wish to share the Good News of the Kingdom with others so they may know about it. What others choose to do with this knowledge is their own choice. Its just like telling anyone about anything. People advertise toothpaste, isn't advertising free life forever on Earth much better?

Answer 4

I don't have a religion so no. However i do think the world would be a much better place if everyone gave up their religions like i have.

There is nothing good that comes from religion that cant be attained through humanity.

Answer 5

im a christian but i dont like the fact theres so many religions, the bible doesnt say that Jesus was catholic, or a baptist, or a methodist, i hate that theres so much diversion as if there were different Jesus', i like to keep my focus on CHRIST and not on religion, so when u wanna convert someone to ur religion, dont be speaking about ur religion, instead talk about CHRIST and the salvation he can give u....

Answer 6

No I teach that you dont need religon to be loved in the eyes of god you only need to have love in your heart.
You are the only one that has control over your destiny ,religon does not!
They just said they do to extract money from the gullible ,which includes most of the world over 1500 years of organized religon.

Why else would they want to spread their word across the world to take others religous beliefs from them and replace it with their own?
Their goal is to conquer the world and inslave them and collect their money.
God is real,religon is man manipulated for his own greed.
Could this be the anti-christ?

Answer 7

No. In fact, trying to convert someone into my religion is highly forbidden and is against religious law.

Answer 8

Hum . . .I am a Christian. Convert? No. I just behave myself, and share my way of life.

So far, I have seen Muslim coming to acknowledge Jesus and Baptised in my church.

Err. . .of cause I've seen Buddhist, Hindu coming to know the Lord Jesus too.

Convert? I think I may not have time. Just let me continue to help those who is needy, and poor.

Answer 9

nope, i just plant the seeds and let them decide on their own. I'm an atheist and i hope to gain respect for my lack of belief by not pressing my beliefs on others. therefore, i just let them think about their religion and see the contradictions for themselves before they convert and lose their faith. I feel better about myself when I let them see it for themselves.

Answer 10

Nope. I'll talk about my faith openly, and if someone wants more information I'm happy to share with them, but everyone has their own path to walk and it's not my place to make them choose a particular one.