Why do a lot of Christians and Muslims?

Question

Try so hard to change or convert people out of words, sometimes angry words, when it would be so much either to change others and move them by setting a good example? I imitate people who have earned my respect, and feel more inclined to adopt their beliefs when I see how their beliefs make them better people...not when they try to force them on me or anyone else.

This isn't a question mocking Christians or Muslims, it's an honest question. What do you think you accomplish by verbally attacking people for your beliefs? Most people learn by example better than they learn from words, especially angry or arrogant words. When you say "I'm right because I know I'm right and you have to accept it or go to Hell." it makes people a lot less likely to listen to you than when you're kind, patient, loving, humble, and considerate. Why don't you try respecting other people's beliefs even if you "know" they're wrong just so they'll respect and being willing to learn about yours?

BTW, I am not an atheist, and I am not saying ALL Christians or ALL Muslims...and I'm not saying that trying to save someone's soul is bad...it's the way people do it that I think is wrong, and I wonder why they do it? Martin Luther King Jr. makes me want to be a Christian more than anyone who bugs me about it all the time. Why? Because I know he was a good man, and he was a Christian. The same thing with Mohammed Ali and Islam, for example.

I agree with the people who say atheists can be really hateful too...it's just that they don't really fit into this question because it's about converting people for God, and atheists aren't trying to do that.

Answer 1

You are 1000000000% correct. It was the reason that I for a long time gave up discussing these issues over the web. Now, I realize that I am NEVER going to win anyone for Christ over the internet. There's no point in trying, I have no REAL relationship with anyone here.

Here is where I work out my philosophical muscles within the freedom of my Christ-life. I love to think, and Jesus shows me many things through my discussions with others (though I do have a tendency to get upset, as J.P. can attest!).

I try not to be pushy, and only answer questions that I am confident that I can keep a level head about and not get upset and saying things that I'll regret. I try to, anyways.

I think the reason that people often do not take the approach you talk about is because they are forgetting what Christ did for them and is still doing for them. They are focused on themselves rather than on what Christ has done, and are no longer concerned about christ, only about winning an argument.

Thank you for saying this and I hope people take it in the right light.

Answer 2

Actually not all people learn best in the same manner. Some retain new information best when they express it in their own words. Others need to see something done whereas some people need to physically do something to fully grasp a concept.

But the answer to your question is easier. Blind Faith. The average human animal is not an enlightened creature.The common human of a converting religion attempts to do so in just the useless manners you mention. This is because they cannot grasp that others do not instantly recognise the insurmountable truth of their religion. They believe so blindly, that any other opinion is blasphemous to them. So they become upset by any attempt to get them to provide evidence of the value of their religion. After all, isn't it clear already?

Not all Christians or Muslims are like that of course. But these are both religions which hold that their own truth is the only one. That anyone who does not believe, and live in accordance with, their grand view is either damned or evil. These are both faiths preaching that everyone should be converted and that it is the task of every faithful to see those conversions done. But since the mass lack the skill to speak or act with the kind strength needed to enact enlightened conversion they tend to tools such as fear and intimidation. These are tools they understand because it is also part of the control used by their own religions. No matter how faithful you are, if you defy your religious leaders you are pretty much assured of an unhappy afterlife.

Ancient Christians used the sword and hot iron as a tool of conversion in the same way the muslim terrorists do now. And you can still find religious leaders of both faiths who cry loudly that anyone who will not convert must die. It is as saddening as it is amusing that blind faith so often lends itself to an intolerance completely contrary to the teachings of these very religious zealots.

Answer 3

The same reason so many athiests and agnostics attack believers.
Which is...pride maybe? I don't know.
Much of the debate in this forum(yahoo answers) consists of bating and name calling. People say a lot of hateful things here, and really I think a lot of Christians show a lot of patience and tolerence in their responses. Some get angry. Can you blame them?
Of course convincing and forcing are two different things. Everybody has a right to argue what they believe provided they do so with respect.

Answer 4

I don't verbally attack anyone unless they attack me first. Believe what you want to believe, I feel you are wrong if you refuse God but he will forgive you so long as you live a good life and do right by others and when the time comes you are truely sorry that you did not believe while on earth. If someone casually in a conversation says they do not believe in God, I'll just say I do and I'll leave it at that unless they start blasting Christianity and God because Christianity is my being and God is my creator therefor they blast me.

Answer 5

You question makes little sense. Every group - Christians, Muslims, Atheist - have an element to them that uses verbal attacks. Look at all the verbal attacks that come from atheist on yahoo answers alone.

Answer 6

Savior.. u working really hard to wake up ppl. R u sleeping on ur keyboards copy-pasting the same thing around.

I agree asker... but 'Charles Dobson Focus on the Fam' is appropriate.

Answer 7

Agreed

Answer 8

Truth be told when people are forced into something they are not what they are forced into. For example if a person is forced to be something they don't want to be they are being false. Those who forced them you could say are just as false as the ones they forced.

Answer 9

Hey don't worry about it.It will all work it self out. In the mean time God loves you,he died for you. That is all a Christian can say,the rest is commentary.
As for the Muslims,I am a Christian, I can not speak for them.

Answer 10

Hi

The Islamic way is not to seek out and try to convert. If someone comes to us and asks us about our religion, we will tell them. There is no compulsion in religion, you cannot force someone to believe something.