Why do Christians feel obligated to force their religion upon others?

Question

Everytime I read a question on Yahoo Answers pertaining to Religion, several people end up saying something along the lines of "Accept Jesus as your Lord and you will discover the Path." Why is it that Christians feel the need to try to make other people believe in Christianity? Isn't it a bit ethnocentric to send missionaries to third world countries and teach them Christianity in an attempt to "Civilize" them? Where do Christians get off telling me that I'm wrong because I don't follow their religion?

Please don't take this offensively, I genuinely want to know why Christians do this. I have never seen another religion actively pursue followers.

And I'm sorry for "Lumping you all into one category" but I have seen several different branches of Christianity do this.

Answer 1

They have been taught that their way is the only way to eternal life, just like the Muslims have been taught. They have been taught that making converts is a good thing.

Answer 2

I wouldn't say force but I know what you mean. Spreading the "word" is fine it's just how some Christians go about it that irks me.

When did it ever come to the point of telling people if you don't follow Gods word your going to hell or even implying the fact. What's up with that.

I went to a bible study once and the teachers had the nerve to tell that to a bunch of kids . Now that in my opinion is not the way to go about getting people to follow the Christian way.

I don't think it's right for some Christan's to tell someone it's either the fiery abyss of Hell with no salvation from God or heaven where all your sins will be forgiven.

If people would rather keep with their own religions than convert to the Christian faith, I think Christians should except that and leave things be.

Answer 3

Because Christians believe and don't think so you are always going to get that kind of answer and those kinds of pushy attitudes. I was in a church and then because I asked questions about whether or not politics should be preached from the pulpit I became an "unsavory" person and one thing led to another and they then asked my husband to step down as a Deacon because he and I had been married, divorced and remarried. And mind you it was not the kind of divorce that they thought we should have had. After 7 years of being totally devoted to the church and its members. So after he stepped down we quit going to church and started doing some research into the origins of the bible and found that maybe we had been lied to for too many years. I don't try to force my ideals on anyone. I just wish people would think more and believe less and just maybe they could find some enlightenment also. If not then keep believing and stay blind, sometimes it's easier for people to just not get involved! Religion is what causes the wars that we humans can't seem to be rid of.

Answer 4

You don't have to put up with that.

Besides what would you expect in a religious question page?
There is no obligation. The word is suppose to spread.
You have a choice to leave.

I won't try to convince you, I can't unless you are willing to listen, truthfully.
The arguments that Atheists bring on usually end in bigot and demeaning language.
So I have said enough. If you do not want Christians to help other people then I would suggest you getting there first.

God Bless.

Answer 5

As I Christian, I am obligated to SHARE my faith with you, but NOT force my faith on you. In any case, why would the mere asking of you to believe in Jesus be considered as forcing our religion on you? If there's no harassment or gun pointed or threats made, it is misleading and misrepresenting and false to generalise that Christians are forcing their religion upon others. We are commanded to preach the Gospel, and for those who believe, to make disciples out of them. And sending out missionaries was not to civilise people but to simply carry out the Great Commission, and this is the NT teaching. Lastly, I don't subscribe to the view that if you don't follow my religion you are therefore wrong. If I have not attempted to engage in a dialogue with you over your beliefs and mine, then I am acting outside Biblical teachings by simply saying you are wrong because you are not following my beliefs.

Answer 6

Christians try to influence non Christians for the same reason that non Christians get on religious posts and mock them. Both believe they are right. and it follows human nature that people will try to force their opinions upon those who disagree. You're looking at this very one-sidedly. Yes, Christians tell you that you're wrong, but you tell them the same thing right back. When you think about things from a 3rd person's view, they become so much clearer.

Answer 7

It isnt Force. you make it sound like someone is sticking a gun to your head saying believe or die. lol.

We hope to bring new christians in all the time. In the bible it is said in different places that it is our duty and a good thing to do this, but most if not all Religous sects do not use guns :) to FORCE people to believe heh.. just

and turn it around the other way .. Where do athiests get off telling me that im wrong because i dont follow their beliefs? yet i see comment after comment, question after question. Denouceing my beliefs to be fairy tales or stupidity right here in this forum

Answer 8

The reason true Christians feel the need to go out and tell others about Jesus and Christianity is because Jesus said to go out into all the world and preach the Gospel. So when you see or hear someone talking about Jesus it's because they're so in love with him and they want to obey him by telling others about his love and grace.

Answer 9

Well if someone asks a religious question here they also get a barage of athiests trashing it and saying "God is fake!!" too however... Christians were told by Jesus to spread the Gospel and tell others about Him... the other's just force their beliefs for their own personal entertainment.

Answer 10

The Bible, whether or not you want to admit it, has continued to withstand thousands of years of criticism and it still stands strong (on it's own, excluding additions "Book of Mormon" "Watchtower Tract and Society" etc.). For this reason and John 14:6, any other religion falls short. I share the gospel to others out of pure love and care for others. If you saw your friend hanging off a cliff, holding for dear life, about to fall, would you grab him/her and try to save him/her no matter what anyone said? This is precisely where I'm coming from. You can read my section on evangelism at http://www.evangelicalnerd.com/evangelize.html .

Answer 11

I see it working on both ways. You have Christians wanting to share their beliefs and you have atheists or other people who do not like Christianity doing the same thing. Getting on the internet telling people that Christians are hateful and liars and killers and so on and they want people to believe that. SO what's the difference. You don't like what you see or you don't believe in it, leave it be. It's THAT SIMPLE!