I am an atheist. Why do the religious feel it is their duty to convert me? It's annoying!?

Question

I am an athiest. I was a former Catholic who was even and "altar boy." I believe that people can believe in whatever it is they want to, provided it is positive for them and the rest of the world. I appreciate, accept and respect other's beliefs and would never say that their belief is wrong. However, when people find out that I am an atheist, they instantly assume that I am wrong, anarchistic and I need guidance. They always, and I mean with 100% certainty try to do this. It is very annoying. I love civility, humanity and life more than anything but it seems like religious people, who by the way are supposed to be the most tolerant and accepting of others, well, they are the most intolerant and unaccepting of others. Oh, a side question, why do so many Christians say that Muslims are a terrible violent people when so many crimes around the world are performed by Christians. Murders, robberies, kidnappings. These are done by Christians also. I don't see Buddhiasts or Hindus doing this?

Answer 1

Being a fomer Southern Baptist myself, we were raised to preach to the "lost" so that they might be saved. Most Christians feel it is their duty to try because on judgment day, they will be held accountable for when they didn't try.

I gave up all that hooey too though, and it's really annoying to have them try to convert me even though I understand why they're doing it. Most Christians I know are anything but Christ-like.

Answer 2

I am also an Atheist. I think the converters feel that they have a responsibility to try and convert you. I can say that I don't have the same problem. It's probably because I don't volunteer the fact that I am an Atheist. On the other note Christians don't have all the facts about Muslims. They are misguided by the Media.

I on't know much on this subject but I believe that a true Muslim is not a danger to society only extremists hurt the general population.

Answer 3

Our calling isn't to save people, because if that were the case, we wouldn't need God to save us. Our calling is to attempt to lead those that don't have a relationship with the Lord to have one. If that person, under any circumstances, will not assume a relationship with him, then that's all we can do. At that point we need to back off and let God do what he can with that person.

On the subject of Muslims, most people believe the Muslims to be a violent group of people. Only the select few that choose to be violent are seen, making the rest of the group seem dangerous. Just like the stereotype with Christians, about them forcing religion on someone. Just because a select few try to force their beliefs on you, doesn't mean the whole community tries to. The only thing we should be doing is presenting our faith to you and representing the Lord Jesus.

Answer 4

I was in the Doctors office yesterday because my son had a cold.There was a young mother there with her little kid in the waiting room with me. She had some papers with information about Budda on it. She was drilling her child about the questions on the paper. I was surprized but not shocked.

I used to be more evangelistic, in fact I was quite the preacher a few years back. I've grown cold and calous over the years. I've lost my peace. I've lost my joy. And worst of all my sence of direction is all but gone as well. I am no longer a street preacher an evangelist. Nor am I a die hard seeker like I used to be.

I was raisesed as a Catholic too. I am not a practicing
Catholic for I do not believe in praying for the dead or to any saints or to Mary. Those Statues are a bit freaky also. I am aware
that we all gotta serve some body. We should all seriously consider this matter of who we are "serving"

I have tasted death and I have tasted life and take it from me life is way better if you believe than not to..

Answer 5

well I can understand why you turned your back away from religion. I have known many catholcs and have seen how nuns have treated children. I think they are in serious trouble anyway and I do not believe in what they practice as far as religion goes. Now as far as you are concerned , I am sorry that you don't find some spiritual feelings especially about life and yes I know scientists have sent the message that we all evolved. But there is just one question the scientists can not answer, nor can anyone else for that matter. Is this: Why are you here? why are you you and not someone else? what is the reason you were born? what is your purpose on this earth? Somehow in all of this there must be a reason we are all here so why is it so difficult to see that maybe someone wanted us here for some purpose. I respect you for saying that you let us believers believe and that is good. I also respect you for being honest and really seem to want to know the answers but that's what is so fascinating about it all.. To wonder why!

Answer 6

Of course you are free to believe what you want, but a Christian is equally free to convert non-believers and indeed has a duty to do so. You are free to reject this as you wish. I accept some approaches are pretty crass and rather patronizing but that doesn't mean they are in anyway wrong. It is also perfectly true that many wars and resultant genocide can be laid at door of misapplied religion. However the real problem resides in the heart of mankind not in Christianity.

Answer 7

Don't generalize, first of all. Not every Christian goes out on a killing spree...seeking evil Atheists and Agnostics.

We simply share the Gospel with people because we want people to come to faith in Christ. No one should force it on anyone, but too many people interpret zealousness as force. That's a straw man. Just because Christians are enthusiastic about their faith doesn't mean that they're forcing (or intend) to force their beliefs on others. We just want to tell people about Jesus.

Also, the crimes committed in the name of Christ were committed in direct violation of His commandments. Any cursory reading of the New Testament will show any reasonable person that Jesus Christ never taught His followers to harm people for His sake. Rather, He told them to love their enemies and to pray for those who spitefully use them and to bless those who persecute them and say all manner of evil against them.

So, one cannot pin those crimes on Christianity without redefining what Christianity is. Christianity is a faith that is based on the teachings of Jesus Christ, not the murderous expeditions of power-mongers who sought land & wealth while using the name of Christ as a means to that end.

However, when it comes to Islam...the character of Muhammad isn't that helpful in making a similar case. Muhammad raided caravans and provoked wars to spread his new found religion when the masses didn't accept it as readily as he had hoped.

The character of Christ and that of Muhammad are diametrically opposed. This is not an attack on Islam. You asked. I'm just giving my views on the subject.

Answer 8

Who's doing what isn't the issue. You asked why the religious felt obligated to convert you. All I can say is that God does the converting. Christians can only "lead the horse to water" so to speak. I'll admit that there are quite a few zealots out there that attempt to "convert" by means of pushing and pushing it upon people through their desire to see others saved, but that's not the way to lead someone to God. Christians are commissioned by God to "Go ye out into the highways and hedges and COMPEL them to come in". "Compel" is the operative word they seems to overlook. My sincere hope is that those who accept that call of God in their lives as witnesses learn how to love people and when to "shake the dust off their feet as a testimony against them" when their witness falls upon deaf ears.

Answer 9

When people find out I don't believe in God what I usually get for just a few seconds is stunned silence and then they try to convince me that I really do believe.

I just let them say what they feel they need to and then I go about living my life the way it works best for me.

Answer 10

You have a free choice to believe the way you want to. Nobody but the Lord Himself can convert you. I pray one day friend you will find God in your life. He loves you!