Try to convert me to your religion - or atheism. I'll be open minded.?

Question

Give me a short and snappy argument selling me your religion (or lack there-of) or another religion you think may interest me. Give me some of the benefits and tell me something obscure about it.

The best argument gets the best answer.

Use quotes if you like. Be political if you want. I will consider any religion - Voodoo, Zoroastrianism, Asgardian paganism, maybe even crazy old Scientology.

Note - I already follow a religion and have no real doubts about my faith so chances are you won't actually convert me. But with 10 points for the best attempt have a go anyway!

Lots of great arguments so far. I am learning a lot about what people like about their religions. I love to learn things.

A lot of you seen interested in my religion. I am an ordained Christain minister, but I don't want any arguments against the religion I currently have - just arguments for religions (and atheism).
You could try to convert me to a dead religion with no living followers if you like such as the heliocentric Atenist religion.
Also feel free to use philosophical arguments!

Some great answers so far. There are some good cases of Islam and Christianity, and a few good points towards atheism. I am very pleased with the kinds of reponse I am getting. It is far better that people are being positive about their own views rather than criticising each others.

This is easily the best set of answers I have ever gained to a question on here - lots of you deserve at least 10 points!
There are some greats ideas here, and I love to see so much positivism.

Answer 1

Have you considered Pythagoranism? It was founded by a Greek philosopher, Pythagoras (circa 582?-507 bce), who taught respect for all life, his followers were both pacifist and vegetarian. He also believed that the purpose of life was the development and eventual perfection of the soul, and that when you died you went before the Gods and looked on yourself with their wisdom. You then decided for yourself what your next life should be, and what obstacles you should face to achieve that learning. Thus your life is, in fact, what you have made of it. The Gods, being perfect, set the example of what you should strive for, knowing that you won't in this life succeed. There is no outside judge condemning you to whatever station you are born to, no clergy in the Christian sense and no attempts at conversion other than by example, all who wanted to come and listen were welcome, those who didn't were left in peace. He also believed in rigorous mathematical and scientific training, because how can it detract from the glory of the Gods that we have a greater understanding of Their works? This faith was, of course, wiped out by the Christians, along with Mithraism and so many others, but if you think about it, it would be an excellent faith for the 21st century.

Answer 2

I think that people should take the concepts that they think are the best from different religions & cultures and make up their own 'religion' unique to them. For example[me]: I take the Buddhist idea of not killing things, but change it slightly so that I'm not killing things without a good REASON, but there's no point in not eating meat if other people have already killed it(I can't abide waste).
I live in Hong Kong, which was a British colony until about 8-years-ago. The good thing about living in a place like that is that you celebrate both Chinese & Christian/British holidays.
One of the things I liked about having a fixed religion(Christianity) was that we believed in something, and all thoughts of dying were positive, because you got a glimpse of heaven no matter what, and if Gabriel let you through the gates you would never again have to worry about wrong-doers because they went down to hell.
I am now what you might call an Atheist, but I'm not.


I am my own unique self.

Answer 3

If a person does not believe in any god or higher power, a person will tend to get swept up by evil. Anger,murder, adultry, anything that feels good at the moment. When a person is worried about something or someone , a person can get answers to questions they have in their day to day lives(Such as BIBLE) ,(PROVERBS)
(PSALMS)
Benefits are that you have a self-respect of knowing that your trying to attain a higher standard for yourself. and tho you may falter you may ask for forgivness(as long as u don't repeat the sin over and over) Know that while you are human , we all make mistakes. You feel good knowing that drunkness, drugs, and sex most likely won't hinder you for you astain from casual sex. (You won't be getting std's or aids) You won't be an angry bitter person, you'll have a light heart. And all of the negitive feeling alot of non-christians have won't be as many(If any) Because when we have a problem(We turn to the BIBLE or other christians to help) The answers are all in the BIBLE.
A christian- a light heart, a forgiving heart, a happy heart

Verses

A selfish, bitter, careless(which means danger in the long run) No where to turn to except himself and other ,non-soul humans

God leaves it to us to use our free-wills to decide to come to him or not..... He won't force you ........ You have the free-will.....
Faith is having belief in something or someone without proof...Does anyone not have faith in a person , friend or spouse?? It's the same thing...Not having the proof they can promise you something.
I'd much rather believe that our god was once a human like us. Aliens? NO That we were just dust??NO It only makes sence that jesus was... and that he was the son of god. Science was developed because of mans free-will.. And that too makes sence that scientist would say jesus didnt exist.. The BIBLE makes more sence that way??... Everything is found there??? Read it give it a try for more than 5 minutes??

Answer 4

Just read your profile, if your a Christian church minister, I am going to be the next pope! and I'm an atheist!
If you are a Christian I have no wish to try to change your faith, but out of all the religions you have named in your question, Christianity is the most unbelievable of the lot, and if you really have an interest in all religions you will know this!
Perhaps you are using this question as a form of research for some future book?
Religion has always held a fascination for me, but after some time I have come to realise that there is no way of proving that there is a God and also no way of proving that there is no God.
I have tried to think up all sorts of combinations to either prove or disprove, but no way!
Good luck with your book but you wont get a lot of inspiration from these answers.

Answer 5

There's too much misinformation around to make short and snappy and good arguments on this subject. The very words can't be trusted a lot of the time. Noun genders common in many languages are remnants of ancient dedications to gendered primitive gods. Ever wondered why French tables are female and German tables are male? Table Gods, that's why. Ridiculous, isn't it.

I'm a wait-and-see agnostic because I believe it is wrong to make decisions without relevant information. I think religion is wrong and dangerous. I think the same about atheism because of the precedent. Both are based on decisions that people have no right to make about things no-one knows anything about. There are gaps in life that need to be crossed blindly but filling the gaps with religious 'knowledge' is wrong. In those dark places religion is a placebo for light. That's no reason to go around the rest of the time with your eyes shut. Simple hope is as effective as religion and it's all you need.

The values of agnosticism are humility, honesty and reasonable respect. Theism's are vanity (being special and chosen), hypocrisy (picking literal and allegorical interpretations of religious diktat at will), and prejudice (no bracketed explanation necessary).

Answer 6

I do not have a particular religion as such, I do believe that there is a God. Wars are caused NOT by religion simply by those enforcing theirs on others. Which I feel is pointless, I see all religions as CANDLES, some slightly wonky due to mankind adjustments for what ever reason over the years. But all those candles make ONE LIGHT. I can envisage us all in our different religions queues waiting to go through the Pearly Gates, some with a LOT of explaining to do, and some saying to the Jehovah Witnesses, " See! I told you!!!"

Answer 7

Why would I want to try to convert anyone? I'm happy, all I want is for other people to be happy with whatever they are.

But I will show display some websites to some information about some religions that I think everyone should read, regardless of whether or not they are interested in converting. Education never hurts anyone :)

For Asatru, my faith:

http://www.geocities.com/lilith_ravenmoon/Heathen.html A reconstructionalist religion paying homage to the Old Gods of the Norse. Very empowering and, if you are of Norse heritage, a great way to connect to the past.

For Wicca:

http://wicca.timerift.net A great site about a very holistic, down-to-Earth, organic path that stresses balance, attunement with nature, and reconnection with the old ways.

For Judaism:

http://www.jewfaq.org It's one of the largest religions in the world, yet wholely misunderstood. A path that emphasizes that God is a singular, whole, united being and is within all of us.

For Jainism:

http://www.jainism.org Another misunderstood path.

For Catholicism:

http://www.catholic.org

For Thelema

http://www.oto-usa.org A religion that explores the myteries of magic and delves into the deeper mysteries of Jewish mysticism and Kabbalah, emphasizing the Divine within us all and encouraging us to discover and follow our true Will.

Answer 8

if you haven't told what your religion is and you want to be converted to one by anyone else I don't see what's the result or benefit of your request. the best for you would be to have no religion at all or to make your own religion choosing facts or interesting things from the others religion. and if this doesn't work you may find interesting to make yourself the pole of a new religion. the religion of your heart. if you push a little harder into the gate of it you may discover unusual things and hidden images of yourself revealing. like it or not you'll be forced in a way to choose between what you see (with an open mind) and what you are (inside this limited and closed body).

Answer 9

Aged 10, I asked the vicar "how big is God then - does he fill the whole universe, or just a bit of it? And if he doesn't what's outside him - just some other God?" Not getting any sort of sensible reply I concluded there was no answer, and that all religions are nothing more than a form of mental illness - seeing visions, hearing voices, irrational beliefs,self deprivation and self harm - doesn't that sound like serious mental illness?

Answer 10

Conversion is complete BS. A person CAN'T truly be converted. Nobody can tell you what YOU believe. It's a preposterous concept.

You say you are already strong in your "religion". Your question, though, proves that either you really AREN'T, and are hoping someone will inadvertantly concur with you, or that you are hoping to start people arguing. Both of which are quite stupid, by the way.