Is a forceful attempt at conversion like rape?

Question

I just answered another question, and it occured to me that there are quite a few similarities between somebody trying to force you to have sex with them, and somebody trying to force you to believe what they do. In both cases I have rejected their advances, only to have them try to force the issue, despite my repeated and insistant 'No'. If I keep on denying, they will become angry, and might even resort to violence.

So, similar or not?

As to the best of intentions, the rapist probably thinks he (or she) is doing you a favour too...

My intention isn't to make fun of a very serious issue here, but to raise one. People have killed for religion, and in many places continue to do so. I think equating the extremes of conversion with rape is justified.

Seem to have ruffled a few feathers here, judging by the mails I'm getting. So to clarify: Rape is a terrible thing, and I'm not in any way trying to minimise it. What I am trying to do is make the point that religion can be as beastly and terrible as rape is, and that religious people walk a fine line between saving people and condemning themselves

Now, I think we'll all agree that terrible things are done in the name of religion, but never 'my religion'. It's always either past tense or completely justified. And that's my point. That religious people need to think very carefully about how they justify whatever action they take.

And finally, I would like to apologise to those whom I have offended with this question. But the question stands.

PS. Conversion attempts can get physical too. Believe me, I know.

Answer 1

I like debating opinions with people ,but there are times when Ive run into Someone who is on a mission to make me believe their that their opinion is the right one,and they take it as a personal affront if I don't.Ive actually experienced a situation (.in the real world) where i was afraid for my safety and felt emotionally traumatized after wards.so yes I agree there are similarities,I do need to tell you though that im on the other side of the fence and that as a christian i too have experianced what you are saying ,peace be with you.

Answer 2

Both are about control and dominance. Trying to get someone to change their religious beliefs is done under the pretense that you're wrong and help you see things the right way; some people truly mean well by doing this. You can walk way from someone telling you you're wrong, somebody physically raping you is a little harder to walk away from, and causes mental damage as well.

Answer 3

YES -- if anyone tries to force their will on you in ANY way that you
don't want and you have asked/told them to STOP, YES, it is just
the same as RAPE because that person wants to control you and
they have absolutely NO right to do so.

RAPE is about power and control and intimidation and this is exactly what you're talking about from what I can tell.

If this person or person(s) are threatening you in ANY way, you should really consider taking out a restraining order against them
to keep them from harassing you or threatening you any further.

It sounds like whoever it is refuses to take NO for an answer.

Does anyone close to you know what's going on with this person
or persons?
You shouldn't have to go through something like this on your own, being as you mention the possibility of violence.

Maybe this person is unbalanced or obsessed, but even so, that
is THEIR problem - not yours - and you need to protect yourself!!

Don't put yourself at risk by being alone with this person.
Do they call you or come to your home? Is it somebody you've
known in someway or are they a total stranger and they just
started talking to you about whatever it is they wanted to talk to you about??? Whoever they are, they definitely seem to have a real PROBLEM!!

I saw a documentary on MSNBC about this guy who turned out to
be totally obsessed about whatever girl that he was dating/ He was totally off the radar screen, so to speak and this person
seems to be going in that direction from what you say. .. and in
this documentary, it DID lead to violence and the guy died....
You just don't know about some unbalanced people walking around, right.....

I don't mean to sound alarmist on you or anything, but it's really something that you need to talk to someone about, possibly meaning the police. ???
How long as this been going on for?!?

Answer 4

its interesting, your point of view on a "God-sent rape", and i haven't thought about it that much, but i guess it kinda is the same thing, see it doesn't happen with every sing branch of Christianity only a few have that problem, the thing is that they are so sure of what they believe (like i was) that they want so desperately for you to believe it as well, truly they mean no harm, they just want what they think is best for mankind, some on a normal level, and some on a sickening obsessed level

Answer 5

For the record, there's a difference between sexual seduction and rape through coercion/deception. Now if somebody makes repeated unwelcome advances for anything (think telemarketer) then I think THAT is immoral.

By the way, my question was hypothetical.

Answer 6

If you haven't had a man force himself inside of you, you have not been raped. It is not funny to even think the way you are. You are, in your own pathetic way, making fun of rape victims. Get a clue and grow up!

Answer 7

Similar.

Answer 8

There is such a thing as mind rape -- although it's well-nigh impossible to prove. Cops do it all the time in interrogations, and aggressive proselytizers can be guilty of it as well. Good observation.

Answer 9

No i don't think you can compare the two. Rape is much worse. Its a forced physical attack. No one can change whats inside your heart so conversion can only go so far.

Answer 10

A little. Some Christians (not all) get a bit overexcited when trying to convert someone, to say the least.