Why do so many Christians try to convert non-believers?

Question

Does their faith encourage them to convert others the way that Islam does? Do they need their beliefs validated? Looking for real answers, not the usual lunatic rantings.

Since a couple people brought it up, I'm not an atheist. I was raised Catholic, now I believe in God but not the god of any man-made religion. And though I don't have anybody try to convert me in my personal life, I see tons of postings on this site that are.

Answer 1

When I was embroiled in the whole fundamentalist church thing, I 'witnessed' as instructed by the ministers and elders of our church. There was a certain desperation in it, as I recall. We had all kinds of tools: tracts (spelling out the 'four spiritual laws') and campaigns (remember the 'I Found It!' campaign?) and answers for the questions that would invariably come up. We studied these answers so we could be ready for anything.

Looking back on that now, that's kind of sad. I mean, if being a Christian and having this wonderful personal relationship with Jesus was such a life-giving thing for me, wouldn't I be just bubbling over w/ reasons why someone would want to become a Christian? Apparently not. I lived a pretty frightened life as a Christian. (I say 'Christian' but I should say 'fundamentalist Christian.' In every way imaginable, I feel like I am more of a Christian now than I ever was then) I knew I had to 'sell' someone on the idea of becoming a Christian. This also seems sad to me, that there had to be such tools, and campaigns, and ways to sneak 'the gospel' into people's heads.

Well, I did my witnessing. I never really liked doing it, but I did it because I knew I was commanded to do so.

I think, for a lot of Xtians that do this kind of active witnessing, there is a feeling 'If I convince enough people of this, then it must be true.' I think that was what was behind a lot of the shouting and jumping at my church. People convincing themselves: if I'm jumping up and down and yelling then it MUST be true, right? It also seemed to act as a good smokescreen from what was going on in my heart/conscience/gut. Part of me felt that what was going on in church was a lot of hooey. Especially the 'healings' and the 'words of knowledge' and the 'prophesies' that people came up with every week. It was all so loud, and so distracting from what the 'still, small voice' was trying to say.

I think that still, small voice was saying, 'be still, and know I am God.' So much of what my church preached and insisted on drowned that voice out.

Hmmm. Interesting question. Thanks for bringing it up. I hadn't thought of these things for quite some time.

Answer 2

I'm agnostic but sometimes, I have to admit I try to get ball going faster for my best friend who's done with major religion but is falling with the spiritist crowd. My purpose is not to convert her into an agnostic but to get her to realize that the "supernatural" experiences she has are nothing more than normal experiences that she attributes to the existence of spirits. For example, she recently dreamed there was going to be a baby in the family and her mom did too, all of a sudden the spirit of the unborn child is speaking to her and now her quest is to find out who of her 3 sibblings will have a baby or it's maybe herself. I keep telling her it's just a dream and it is statistically possible to have the same dream as someone in your family. But I guess when you're tied down to myths you can't really let go.

Answer 3

Christians believe that they should preach to others because Jesus told them to. Of course since the gospels were written 60 years after Jesus supposely walked the earth and were written by people who did not personally know him, then you have to question where they got there info. Was it 2nd hand, a popular tale, something they imagined he said or did they have something to gain by it. No one knows for a fact. And for the record, the gospels listed a story that had been written long before Jesus, if there was really someone named that, look up Osiris and Dionysus and see what was written about them. Virgin birth, baptism, miracles, redeeming the sins of the world, dying and rising 3 days later and being born again. All were part of all three of them.

Answer 4

First of all, no human can convert an individual to Christianity., and those who do try to forcefully convert have not understood this: Becoming a Christian or follower of Christ is purely a heart and life changing experience. Only God can change a person's heart. When He touches your heart,only then are u a changed man/woman. If u become a Chrisitan by name and have not experinced or understood the love of God, then the 'conversion' is non existent.
God came down in the form of man to save us from the fires of hell. That whomsoever believeth in Him will not perish but have eternal life. It was out of His love for us, that He wanted to save us from our sins. Only when we realize that we are sinners and that we need the love and grace of the Lord Jesus, only then are we truly changed.
Without the saving grace of Christ, we are all in danger of eternal suffering, becuase as the Bible says, not one is righteous, all have fallen short. It is only with the cleansing power of the Blood of Jesus that we are saved.

Answer 5

True Christians are obeying;

(Matthew 28:19-20) Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded YOU. And, look! I am with YOU all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.”

Answer 6

Actually, we can't convert anyone. That's God's job. We are merely called to tell what He has done for us.

As it is written: "Therefore, as you go, disciple all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you each and every day until the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20)

And

"As you go into all the world, proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. The one who believes and is baptized will be saved, but the one who doesn't believe will be condemned." (Mark 16:15-16)

We are called to be salt and light. Salt is no good if it stays in the shaker (church). It must be spread about to be useful.

Answer 7

Having found something which they believe is beneficial to them, and would be beneficial to others, they attempt, out of good will, to share the good news. Atheists do exactly the same thing, for exactly the same reason: if there is no such thing as god (and there isn't any evidence that there is), then it is a waste of time, money, and effort to do religion, and thus a net detriment to society.

Answer 8

I have no idea.
Personally, I could care less if you convert or not. I am more interested in quality than quantity.
Just for kicks, why don't make a list of which denominations try to convert you, and see if any patterns emerge. I'll reckon that some of the largest denominations in the world are unfamiliar to you, and have never tried to convert you.

Answer 9

I will tell somethings to others, only if I benefit from that. For example, I had a disease and I prayed to God to heal me from that, and He answered it, then I know He is God.If I really know the true God, how can I keep silent.
I can feel God's presence, He is there for anyone who calls to Him truly.
Jesus said" I am the way, the truth and the life". So He is the only way to God.

Answer 10

Christians are commanded to love God with all their heart, all their soul and all their strength. We are also commanded to love others the way Jesus loved us. We have to love until it hurts. We do not try to convert anyone. Only the Holy Spirit can do that. But because we love God and our neighbors, we want people to live with God to be happy with Him in heaven. God wants all souls to be saved. We love our brothers and sisters. So out of love, we say the truth hoping God can use us as His instruments so that He can touch their hearts and make them believe He exists. Jesus also commanded us to preach the gospel. Woe to us if we do not preach the gospel. If we love our brothers and sisters we want them happy with us in heaven.