There isn't many community meeting places/gatherings distinctively for people without religious affiliation. I personally don't like the term "atheist" but am firmly a person of no religious affiliation whatsoever. I don't subscribe to any system of beliefs and don't particularly like being grouped into any category at all, other than "person". I don't care what other peoples' affiliations are and I don't care what they believe. I find it very irritating when people tell me that I will spend an eternity in flames for not recognizing the grand authority of some entity or another, but I am as intimidated by this rhetoric as I am of threats upon my life posed by goblins or the boogie man. I think it's sad that my son in kindergarten gets rocks thrown at him at school after declining Bible session invitations from Christian children who tell him that "god and Jesus will come and put him on fire forever" when all he said to them was "we don't believe that". Whatever
I teach my children to do the right thing...
to have a good work ethic
to pay taxes
to obey society's laws
in general -to take care of their responsibilities
to be "good" as defined by the results and outcomes of their actions.
I have ZERO motivation for conversion under the pretence that any sort of omnipotent entity in whom I hold no belief would like to love and judge me and then reward or punish me based upon my performance and actions. I don't really understand what other peoples' motivation for this is either, but once again...whatever.
I would just like to have a community place to go where people could hang up all their religions, and theories, and speculations of the unknown at the front door and be with, and enjoy each other, without Jesus, without Muhammad, without Jehovah, without categorizations, without I'm smarter than you, or I hold more favor in the eyes of some god thing...just as people. Why is that so hard to understand? And why is it me who needs converting?
2006-12-02 07:51:11 · 17 answers · asked by Thomas D 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I came to ask this question specifically to gain perspective as to why religious people I have encountered seemed to have intent on trying to convert me.
I understand, now, why some feel the need , but I don't need god or forgiveness. Those of you who feel I do, suffice to say that apparently you do. Good for you. I don't need more friends, or a dog, and that is just an ignorant reply. I still don't understand why everyone can't just enjoy each other without religious hangups, especially among a group of people who say that all of their fervor is based somehow in love. I teeter on nothing. I believe what I know. I know what I believe. Some have been polite and some were not. The experience was enlightening both ways. AA? Come on…I don't use intoxicants. One should question any relationship that requires "because I say so" & "you need me" that’s dysfunctional, if not abusive. hayaa_bi_taqwa- now you see who says? David- they limit possibilities too. Jerse- I guess they did.
2006-12-02 12:43:30 · update #1
Its your life and no one has the right to tell you what you should or shouldn't do unless it is causing them harm. Just enjoying life is important.
2006-12-02 07:55:50 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
A common misconception is that Jehovah's Witnesses go from door-to-door because they feel it is their duty to get a householder to "convert". In fact, Jehovah's Witnesses would go from door-to-door even if there were no hope that anyone would change their religion, or even if no one would listen to them!
That is because Jesus Christ specifically assigned the house-to-house ministry to the Christian congregation, with no regard for specific results.
(Luke 10:1,2) After these things the Lord designated seventy others and sent them forth by twos in advance of him into every city and place to which he himself was going to come. 2 Then he began to say to them: “The harvest, indeed, is great, but the workers are few. Therefore beg the Master of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.
Jehovah's Witnesses are trained to direct attention to the bible, and move on when their message is unwanted. Since each congregation in the United States tries to call at every home in its territory at least twice each year, there is strong motivation for them to move on where little interest is shown. Also, the Scriptures help the Witnesses to expect little interest from most:
(2 Timothy 4:3-5) For there will be a period of time when they will not put up with the healthful teaching ...and they will turn their ears away from the truth, whereas they will be turned aside to false stories. You, though, keep your senses in all things, suffer evil, do the work of an evangelizer, fully accomplish your ministry.
Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/jt/
http://jw-media.org/people/ministry.htm
2006-12-02 09:50:51 · answer #2 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well.....I could quote scripture to you on this one but that is soooo obviously NOT what you want to hear. Sorry about the problems your son has had a school. What they did was not right....but I suppose you will find that anywhere, anytime, with any religion, or race, or.......PEOPLE! If what you are looking for is just a good conversation with ppl wheather they are religious or not....then perhaps you would do good to find a sight that does not mention religion. I mean, being here asking this question seems more like you are curious to talk to people of religion than not. I am not trying to be rude. I am simply saying that maybe this is not the best place for you to talk to someone if you don't like the content.
As for your question on "why is it me that needs converting?".....I will not answer that.......you simply do not want to hear it.
Good luck in the future
and take care.
2006-12-02 08:05:02 · answer #3 · answered by Mikki 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Who says you need converting? From the way you have lived your life and the things you have learned, you have come to the conclusion that you are at now, and you believe this to be the ultimately true way of life for yourself. No one could possibly make you believe something against your will, so why try? If however you felt unsatisfied with your way of life, then it would be up to you to decide where to go next, not up to anyone else. After all, if there is an afterlife, you will be responsible for yourself, and others will be responsible for themselves, it won't matter who convinced you of what unless it was a sin on their part.
2006-12-02 07:56:55 · answer #4 · answered by hayaa_bi_taqwa 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Simply because you need God, God does not need you.
I'm a Muslim and believe it or not i never bring the subject of my faith up with work colleges, friends etc we only have conversations about it when I'm ask a question. I don't believe in trying to convert anyone its not part of my faith. Simply I need Islam, Islam does not need me. Its for my benefit to have my faith. And i never push my opinions on anyone. Have faith or don't have it, it makes no difference to me or my life. At the end we all stand alone in front of God and have to account for our actions, behavior and thoughts. Simply you don't need converting, it has to be a submission of the heart and if you don't have that signing up to any denomination is just a plastic flower, looks nice but its not real. I do all the things you do with my children, taxes, society etc but even that is not enough. If you feel it is good luck to you. End of.
2006-12-02 08:09:24 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
As I agree with everything you say I shall be watching to see what answers you get!
I've never been given a good one though when I've tried asking!
Sorry about your Son though. Maybe the Parents of these Bullies should teach them the passage in the Bible> Let Him Who Is Without Sin Cast The First Stone!!!!
2006-12-02 08:01:57 · answer #6 · answered by willowGSD 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
ok so you're a "good" person but that won't change anything when you stand before Christ on the day of judgement.Ephesians 2:8 says,For by grace are ye saved through faith;and not of yourselves:it is the gift of God:Not of works,lest any man should boast.
Just doing good works won't save you from hell.only telling God that you are a sinner and accepting Christ as Lord can do that.
2006-12-02 08:29:33 · answer #7 · answered by Demon slayer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The answer is simply GOD SAYS SO!!!
If you really aren't of any religious affilliation as you put it, pick up your Bible and do only what it commands. Seek the truth and you will find it. John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.
Why is that so hard for you to understand. You are who is making life hard for yourself and especially your young innocent child. Acts 22:16
I truly wish I could help you understand, I sincerely mean that.
Season's Greetings to you and I hope you have a happier New year in 2007.
Church of Christ member in Pennsylvania.
2006-12-02 08:05:11 · answer #8 · answered by Penny Mae 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Well, sounds like you are a secular humanist. Sorry to say but that is a religion too. Albiet a very bad one.
\http://www.secularhumanism.org/
Tell me this website does not describe your beliefs perfectly.
You are a sinner, just like me, who needs redemtion through Jesus Christ like everyone else.
Blessings
David
2006-12-02 08:06:42 · answer #9 · answered by David T 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I switched over from Catholic to the Jewish faith...i became 30 years previous then now fifty one nevertheless jewish. My causes were my children and my ex-spouse. i had to be in contact with my youngsters non secular upbringing. i became very disenchanted by the passing of my father and lost interest in my faith...after assembly my spouse to be, i began to bypass to temple such as her and began practising the religion. i became very fascinated contained in the jewish techniques and probable comprehend extra about the religion better than maximum jewish born persons. if you're wondering about a conversion, communicate with a rabbi or priest...communicate with different converts about there subject and evaluate it to yours.
2016-11-30 01:32:39 · answer #10 · answered by molander 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are fine just the way you are. Some of the most hateful evil people I have ever met went to church all the time and spouted Bible quotes that hurt other people.
2006-12-02 07:55:02 · answer #11 · answered by notyou311 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋