Is it an ego thing converting people?

Question

Is this how the idea of power was formed into religion? I know something and I need to spoonfeed it to you? By doing this I have something you want and I am in the position to manipulate you?
Is that the definition of occult --Hidden knowledge
(P.S. --positive manipulation = mentorship)

Answer 1

I believe that there are many different underlying causes depending on the type of person.

For some people it is a way to shore up their fragile ego. They have low self-esteem and getting others to convert to their belief provides them affirmation of their self worth.

For others I believe converting others is done out of guilt, obligation, or fear Their religion tells them that they're supposed to convert others and so they give it their all because they don't want to disappoint God, their pastor - or risk going to hell.

And then there are those who have been drinking the Koolaid so long that they are absolutely convinced that their beliefs are the only right ones. They proceed like the Borg - "Resistance is futile. You will be assimilated".


I think all of these approaches derive from the same psychological root cause - we human beings would much rather change others than do the hard work of identifying and addressing our own issues and shortcomings. Religion just makes this tendency worse by providing a divine imperative - "God says I'm right and he wants me to go forth and conquer until not a single, unconverted heathen remains!!!"

Answer 2

Its not an ego thing, or positive manipulation or mentorship or whatever insane ideas you have on this. Converting is not done anywhere in the world. We just share the good news. If they accept the good news and turn from their evil ways, its for their benefit. We are not benefited. In India too there is a big anti-conversion lobby going on throughout. Actually, they don't understand.

We Christians tell the others that Jesus Christ is the way to heaven because He died for the sins of all mankind and rose again from the dead. He is living today. If you accept that fact and say Jesus is your Lord, then you are saved and your sins are forgiven. You have been given a passport to heaven. That is the pure Christian gospel. If you accept it in faith, you are the beneficiary. I will get my reward in heaven.

Answer 3

sharing the good news of the gospel isn't about ego --- we are told to do that as believers.
accepting or rejecting is up to the person who hears about Jesus---
There are bibles in all the book stores I have been in --- so the knowledge isn't hidden---
The word "occult" is generally associated with secret knowledge and practices dealing with the supernatural or "psychic" phenomena often for the purpose of obtaining personal power. Some occult practices rely on demons or "spirits" to achieve their goals. Occultism is rapidly increasing throughout the world. There are now thousands of publishers of occultic books and magazines (not to mention Web sites). Interest in the occult has been promoted by the New Age movement, the rise of neo-paganism, movies and even some heavy-metal rock bands.

Answer 4

A cult dispenses"hidden or secret knowledge". Christianity is not a cult because everything is out in the open. The Bible is freely offered to anyone who is curious about it. Converting people is not an ego thing---it is a mission ordained by Christ himself in the Great Commission. Nobody is spoonfeeding anybody and nobody is manipulating anybody. Mentoring is not positive manipulation, as manipulation as you apply the word is never positive. Mentoring is a positive relationship of one-on-one teaching, and is as old as teaching itself.

Answer 5

Absolutely. True mentorship requires no manipulation. Forceful conversion is a no-no.

Answer 6

It's not an ego thing; actually, it's a repression-of-ego thing. We are commanded to preach the gospel (Mark 16:15-16). Those of us who are doing so are denying ourselves and doing the Father's will instead (Matthew 7:21).

I have certain knowledge, but it isn't hidden - I want everybody to know. Fear those who say they have knowlege and won't tell you everything until you reach a certain level or until you are in deep enough.

Answer 7

only the weak can be converted, followers can only follow but a leader can steer a group of followers. power is formed in numbers. so in short, 1 leader, many followers = power.
manipulation, you bet but it's not always positive, negative manipulation also works, using someones fears against them is a prime example. also note, not everyone can be manipulated though. so the answer to your last question my answer would be "no, i'm not easily manipulated."

Answer 8

It shouldn't be, individuals make that way sometimes. No manipulation, or human means of convincing should be used, for if I can convince you to follow Christ than someone else with a "better" argument can convince you not to. It is God's job to draw you to himself, it is the job of the Christian to simply tell you the truth about Christ, sin, heaven and hell. The whole idea is; we don't want any of our knowledge to be hidden.

Answer 9

Not an ego thing

It's an " I want to see people go to Heaven" thing.


You people love to make bad things out of good things when a Christian is involved.
PS. There is no "hidden knowledge" here. It's all there, out in the open for anyone who is willing to listen

Answer 10

It's not an ego thing. It's wanting to tell people about the truth. Jesus is the Truth. You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free. It's not hidden because it is open for anyone who is willing to listen. Read your bible. Have a good day. God Bless