Why do people do this?

Question

They ask people if they believe in God. They know full well that we either believe in one God, many Gods, or nothing at all. Why do they care if we believe or not? If we dont, will they try to convert us? Am I the only one who's bothered by this? Please tell me what the big deal is. I dont wish to start a conflict, I just want some answers.

Answer 1

I too get bothered by this and this is what I believe.

For some ppl believing in one thing makes them feel safe. And if they come upon someone who does not have like beliefes then it goes against everything they know to be safe. For some ppl its hard to come to terms with the fact that the bible was written by man, interrupted by man and translated out of one language to another by man. It is just a book. And while some view it as holy and the truth, I view it was a story. Why else would they called it the greatest story ever told. Christianity and all other new religion stole ideas from the older religion or twisted certain aspects to scare and therefore convert ppl into believing one thing.

I don't think it matters who believes in what or who doesn't. As long as what you believe in makes you happy and leaves you feeling complete that's all that matters.

As for all you ppl trying to push your religion down others throats I think you need to leave it alone. I'm wiccan and I'm not out there trying to convert ppl to become witches. I chose wicca as my religion because it is old, older than yours with basic symbols and meanings. It is nature based and doesn't believe in harming others. I don't believe in hell or satan, because those are symbols created by the church to scare my ancestors in to converting therefore to me aren't real.

I will never look down nor disrespect another religion and expect the same from everyone else. This country was built on religous freedom and I will exercise that right any time I want.

So just overlook the fools who can't shut up about their love for whoever and just be happy with who you are and what you believe.

Answer 2

Two reasons. First of all many, many people have life-changing experiences through religion, and believe that everybody should be able to experience this as well. It is really, for the most part, with good intentions that they want to share. Kind of like, "Ooh, I won a brand new car, you can too!" kind of thing.

The second reason is because there are many religions, including the Christian and Islamic faiths that believe that it is their God-given duty to convert the masses. The problem with this lies in the fact that most people lose sight of the fact that God gives us free will to choose whether and what we want to believe. Unfortunately, people are not so tolerant, and sometimes feel like they have to force their religion down someone else's throat, not realizing that this leaves such a sour taste in the other person's mouth, that they never want anything to do with religion.

My advice to you is just smile and say, "My religious beliefs are a private matter that I don't want to discuss." Hopefully, they'll get the hint.

Answer 3

Some do it for power over others... they wish to be the "teacher". Others do it so they can say "See God? Look at how many souls I won for you!" Some really do have a fear that people are going to burn forever. But for the most part, I really believe it's an insecurity issue... if people disagree with them based on other information, it opens the bigger picture up to them... they Might be wrong.

Answer 4

If someone is just curious to see how many believers vs. nonbelievers of an organized faith there are, well I am all for learning ! But, like you, I believe most people out there are simply asking to find out how many people they can convert to their way of thinking. sigh. What I don't understand is: If they are so convinced they are right, why the almost manic need to convince everybody they are right? If I feel sure about something, I would imagine I would feel secure enough not to have to yell from the rooftops how very right I am. Seems like they are all too fired up to be convincing.."Me thinks thou dost protest too loudly",

Oh well.

Answer 5

Basically it's for money, power and control of gullible minds, which in turn generates further revenue. All religious preachers just pump their one theory (God exists) down our throats.

When the science community makes a discovery or modifies a theory they publish a paper for all to view, speculate on, and debate. Invariably such discoveries open up our simplistic minds and expand our horizons. Examples would be the works of Einstein and Hawking, to name a very small sample.

So why do preachers have to continually pump their one theory (God exists) down our throats. Why do they stand on street corners and hand out leaflets, yell at passers by, gather huge crowds and push unsuspecting victims over in the belief they will be cured of whatever mental or physical ailment invades them, if they just believe in the theory of God.

Why can’t the believers of religious theory just behave in a decent manner, in much the same way as the scientific community does. The answer to all of these questions is simple. They know their theory of God is wrong, and saturation mental and verbal bombardment is the only way they can convince people, and they do it directly or indirectly for money.

Answer 6

Well, some people, myself included, like to see why people have different beliefs. If you're asking for info's sake, that's fine.

When people ask for no other reason than to annoy and start the flames flying, that's another thing entirely.

I have to admit, seeing the fundies loose they're marbles - especially when they cut & paste those huge 'answers' is hysterical!

Answer 7

I think its just bored people who can't think of anything to ask and know they'll get a lot of answers and attention for asking such a question.
I don't think their goal is conversion, as theres obviously no way for them to follow up with people unless you give them your email.
I agree its basically a useless question, not that most yahoo answers Q's are all that useful :) It does bother me a bit but I just ignore it.

Answer 8

Ask the 700,000 xtians who were going to boycott Target last xmas because a sign said "Season's Greetings" instead of "Merry Christmas". Sounds like coercion to me.

Answer 9

because they believe that there beliefs are the sole truth, and therefor try to spread them, in a gift of charity.

Answer 10

Because they are zealots who want to convert everyone to their way of thinking. They feel they are on a mission from God. They have mental problems. Ignore them.