Evangelizing throughout the world...what do you think of this?

Question

My Christian parents support a missionary who goes to Asia to convert people to Christianity. My Dad mentioned that the Buddhist people are not remotely interested in converting to Christianity. This was amusing to me because I am Buddhist.

What are your opinions on this type of missionary evangelizing? A violation of the local people's rights or a Godly mission?

Anyone can answer! Thanks!

My parents beliefs are theirs and my own beliefs are mine. I do not judge them.

Answer 1

“God enters by a private door into every individual.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Your parents saw a God they believed in and were excited about it enough to evangelicize. That is ok!

“Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and common sense.” – Buddha

You found a new way to think that made sense to you.

“This I believe: that the free, exploring mind of the individual human being is the most valuable thing in the world. And this I would fight for: the freedom of the mind to take any direction it wishes, undirected. And this I must fight against: any idea, religion, or government, which limits or destroys the individual. This is what I am and what I am about.” -- John Ernst Steinbeck, American Author

I cannot deny the fact that,

If I were born in Iraq, I would be a Muslim.
If I were born in Israel, I would be a Jew.
If I were born in Thailand, I would be a Buddhist.
If I were born in India, I would be a Hindu.
If I were born in Utah, I would be a Mormon.
But I was born a Catholic, and I slowly became a Christian.

I was brought up a Catholic, but in high school I became a fervent atheist. I debated believers and frequently exposed the fact they could not justify their faith. When I was married, I started going to church. At one point in time I committed to try to develop my Christian faith. It took 10 years for my understanding to grow and justify my faith. It was a long, hard intellectual struggle. I never gave up my intellectual honesty in the process. I know why I believe as I do.

A close friend of mine is a brilliant Doctor and Psychiatrist. She is a Muslim and an American. She is the daughter of a man who was the democratically elected President of Syria for 4 years before Assad overthrew him. She skipped grades and had her medical degree by the age of 20, from the University of Baghdad.

We spoke about religion often. She was highly versed in the Koran and the Bible. I learned much about Islam and its culture from her, and came to respect Islam. However, I cannot be a Muslim based on my learnings and beliefs. I would betray my beliefs if I were to do so. She will never be a Christian, for she would betray her beliefs.

The point is that we should stick to our beliefs. I respect you and I also respect the courage of your mom and dad.

Answer 2

I live in SE Asia, many Asian Christians are here. On many levels Buddhism and Christianity are compatible (according to MY PRIEST), and Buddhists are generally very welcoming of people of other faith, and have a great respect for Christ. It was very surprising to me.
I am Episcopalian (Anglican) but often go to Roman Catholic services here, because there is no Anglican Church near. Six services on Sunday, 2 in English, ALL masses are full, the doors are opened on the sides of the building and extra chairs are filled on the outside.
These are happy people, and the music sounds more Baptist than RCC, but is great, visiting priests (from Europe) break into big smiles and end up clapping along. Macau in China was settled by Portuguese and is still Catholic, as is Las Flores in Indonesia, in the largest Muslim nation. Singapore is the Diocese for the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches.

Technically, Buddhism is a philosophy, not a religion, I understand.

Answer 3

Many religions feel they must grow bigger. Some do this for more money and power and some do it because they feel they are saving the world.

Having the 2 biggest , I call them recruiters, come to my door often...those are Mormons and Jahovah's Witnesses......I she were some people could find this offensive. I persoanlly find it a change to confront these guys, especially the 19 yr old mormon missionaries who constantly look at my legs, and see if I can shake their convictions.

Then I offer them a Vodka and the politely leave. It is good for a laugh.

Answer 4

It can be either, depending on how its done. If you are talking to someone and mention, oh, I'm going to church tomorrow, whould you like to come? If they choose to come, that's fine. If you go into someone's home basically uninvited and give them a half hour lecture about why your God is better than theirs, then no, it's not alright.

Now, as far as foreigners going into a country to convert--I don't agree with that either. If someone is going there on a truly humanitarian mission, its ok to let the people know you are doing this because your faith instructs you to help your fellow man, but to go there under the guise of helping while your only motive is to convert, then no, that's just deceptive.

Answer 5

Thank God you asked. It is a Commandment from the bible for Christians to preach the word and Christ himself to every creature and not just people. The bible clearly puts it that there is no name in heaven or on earth by which we should be saved other than the name of Jesus Christ.(Acts 4:12). If read in the book of Acts in the Bible you will get to note that in Acts Chapter 17, God used to assume our sins but He now commands everybody to be saved and turn away from their sins. In the book of Exodus chapter 20, God the creater of Earth and heaven commands that we should not worship idols but the true God only. Read the book of Jonah chapter 2 and verse 8. It says, "Those who cling on idols forfeit the grace that could have been thiers''. So it is in obedience to the word of the living God that the missionaries are doing what they are doing and not a violation of the human rights. The bible says these teachings are foolishness to them that are perishing but it is the power of God to them that have received it. Hope I have helped. Contact me on [e-mail] for further questions.

Answer 6

Dangerous Meddling.

Answer 7

I think its great your parents support missionaries. Missionaries do not twist there arms to become saved or take the tract they may hand out to them, They give it to them if they want it. I think its great God calls missionaries to these far countries.

Answer 8

I think its horrible and if there is some way to stop them i whould, but all i can do is hope that someone somewhere has the guts to stand up to christian tyranny.

Answer 9

This is what Christians have been commanded to do by Christ, in His "great commission" to us. "Go into the world and make disciples of all nations..." This is always to be done with love and respect and NEVER with force.

Answer 10

I've never been in favor of Evangilizing. It has done more harm in the world than good.