(Background: I do not think so! If people wanted to convert to any other religion they would do it out of free will not because someone tells them too. That is just far fetch to me and very fishy. Do you agree?)
2006-11-24 12:51:40 · 23 answers · asked by . 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Ps. By converting I mean really truly converting because they believe. Not because someone bought them with Food, money, medicine gifts and cloths... LIKE SOME "Good" people do.. in 3rd world countries!
2006-11-24 12:59:16 · update #1
People have the free will to chose for him or herself. Those who can be "helped to convert" are spiritually weak to begin with.
2006-11-24 12:59:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
It is a fact that people do respond positively to well worded arguments. For whatever reason you happen to not have the same beliefs as many people. Maybe you read many books that supported your different worldview or adopted the view on life of your parents, whatever it is, you were influenced. People doing the converting are trying to influence you too. I would say it is not dissimilar to telemarketers calling you during dinner time. Even though a lot of people find it annoying, they call because some people listen to them and buy their services, otherwise they wouldn't do it. The same applies to spam emails. Although, people who proselytise do it for totally different reasons other than money. They want to help people gain salvation, which is worth many slammed doors, hung up phones, and downward pointed thumbs.
2006-11-24 21:04:53 · answer #2 · answered by The GMC 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that people are able to be wooed into converting. To almost anything for that matter. I think under the following circumstances:
1. In a vulnerable place in life and feeling disconnected from their faith
2. Have a personality that matches the idealogy of another faith. For instance: controlling and feels strongly women have there place--hence attaches self to dogma that matches that.
3. Someone who is a follower. Has no specific original opinions.
Main thoughts.
2006-11-24 20:55:35 · answer #3 · answered by donewiththismess 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the best way to 'convert' someone is to just live your day to day life. People arond you will see the way you live and begin to ask questions. That is what happened to me when I first heard of Islam- my best friend was a Muslim, but spoke very little of her religion. I saw her pray and would catch her saying little things and I would ask her. when I asked I began to find out more and more. But I've met other converts as well who say it is because people were passing out flyers or I've met one who found religion because people came up to her and asked her what was her faith. So I think in the end- many people convert because someone brought information to them that they would not have found otherwise.
2006-11-24 20:57:15 · answer #4 · answered by Angelina27 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No I don't agree, I was converted by someone I do not know! I was in my "Den of Iniquity" and a man came in and gave me the word, the word of God. He didn't speak a single word to me. He handed me a Bible and walked away. I never had the word before this. I read it, I understood it, Jesus is my savior! Jesus is my Church! Those who are believers are the members of this church. I am a child of God. And the man who helped me convert, he is a angel in my eyes and I thank God continuously for him. I converted of my own free will not because someone told me to yet someone whom I do not know helped change my life forever.
2006-11-24 21:21:23 · answer #5 · answered by Mothman 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most people are born inot their religion. Converting is useless since every religion can be practiced with love and humanity and a deep belief in a loving and forgiving God.
Whatever your religion, be a good person and without a doubt, you'll be saved. God is great.
2006-11-24 20:57:20 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe that people can be convinced to convert by seeing GOOD examples of what each religion truly teaches.
Blessed Be
2006-11-24 20:53:57 · answer #7 · answered by Celestian Vega 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
well, not sure about other religions but i do know the Bible god (according to the Bible) already knows in advance of creating a soul whether that soul is to be rewarded with heaven or condemned to hell so no amount of proselytizing will "save" a soul already predestined for hell.
i guess Jesus' command to go out and preach to every creature was just busy worked assigned to give Christians a sense of purpose.
2006-11-24 20:58:19 · answer #8 · answered by nebtet 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I agree!
Although sometimes there ARE some very gullible people who'll believe anything, like strapping a bomb around their waist, pulling the trigger and believing they'll go to heaven and spend eternity havig sex with a bunch of eternal virgins.
2006-11-24 20:56:07 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Certainly, conversion must come from someone's heart and cannot be forced upon another. I cannot force you to believe anything. And conversion is certainly more than mouthing a phrase or saying a prayer or shaking a preacher's hand. It must be a work of God in one's heart.
But as Christians we are called to teach, preach, exhort, warn, and admonish others. It is our privilege and our duty to tell others of Christ and encourage them to turn to the living God. I think that in general we do a pretty poor job....may God help us to share the truth with love and purity of heart.....
2006-11-24 20:59:32 · answer #10 · answered by happy pilgrim 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋