2006-11-30 08:03:14 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
In other words, does it matter how a person comes to a faith?
2006-11-30 08:05:04 · update #1
The Apocalypse Of Saint John
Chapter 22
11 He that hurteth, let him hurt still: and he that is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is just, let him be justified still: and he that is holy, let him be sanctified still. 12 Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to render to every man according to his works. 13 I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. 14 Blessed are they that wash their robes in the blood of the Lamb: that they may have a right to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city.
2006-11-30 08:33:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know where the idea came from, that someone would be made to worship God. It's a free and personal choice. If such a thing had happened, God would turn against the people who used violence. God only accepts the people who believe in Him of their own free will
2006-11-30 16:08:38 · answer #2 · answered by Taylor29 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If someone was forced to convert, they would not have faith - they would simply be claiming to believe without really believing in their hearts. You cannot force yourself or anyone else to believe what you/they do not believe. You either believe something or you don't.
Therefore I would say that it doesn't matter how someone comes to faith but being forced to convert does not mean the person being forced has found faith at all.
2006-11-30 16:15:52 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Can't speak for mainline theologies here (despite being an ex-Christian)....
....but as a Pagan, I'm horrified by the scenario you gave. Think many folk in Pagan/Wiccan community would hold that promises and actions under duress are NOT binding, and that the Eternal will read each heart....and probably come down very, very hard on anyone who's using violence and coercion.
You're probably going to get a lot of flak on your question, though.
2006-11-30 16:08:40 · answer #4 · answered by samiracat 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Does the threat of Hell count? Let's expand your question a bit.
Indeed, I would question how faithful a person was if he walked out of a torture camp and claimed to believe in God. If someone does so out of fear of torture, then is he really faithful?
What if the person converts only to stave off Hell? Is that faithful if he is simply hedging his bet? I would argue that a person is not true to his god if he only worships him so he can avoid going to Hell.
Fear of rejection is another concern. If someone convert simply because "everyone else is doing it," then how sincere is that? A regional religion (Baptist in southern America, Muslim in Iran, etc.) can convince someone to convert just so he wouldn't be alone. Is that faithful?
If you examine the hearts of many faithful people, it may be interesting to see how many of them are "faithful" only to avoid punishment.
2006-11-30 16:08:13 · answer #5 · answered by Rev Kev 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If a person is forced to follow God, then they probably don't love God in the first place. It is called "Forced attrition" - being regretful of our sins but not because we love God, but because we are being forced to. Naturally God is ultimately the judge of if those people will be saved, but truthfully the one who is in danger of hell would be the one who is torturing people so that they may love God.
Paul said that people who do evil (such as torturing people) so that good may result (such as someone claiming to love God) deserve condemnation (Romans 3:8)
2006-11-30 16:32:50 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anyone under threat could say "ok i will believe then" but i cant see the point in that,whether it be religion or anything else because a person has got to really want to,and not against their will,otherwise its false anyway.
2006-11-30 16:12:46 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Becoming a Christian is a heart thing. It's not an act thing. You need to mean it with your whole heart. If someone put a gun to your head, they couldn't make you convert (and I kind of doubt there are many Christians out there that would do that). Hope that answers your question. God bless!
2006-11-30 16:06:15 · answer #8 · answered by Faith 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Not at all!
First YOU MUST SEEK God on your own... before God finds you from out of the multitudes.
Then God listens to your heart...
Peace be with you.
2006-11-30 16:09:41 · answer #9 · answered by Arf Bee 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
God is suppose to accept everyone no matter if they believe or not. so i guess yeah.
2006-11-30 16:55:56 · answer #10 · answered by Jordana L. 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋