Is it enough to believe yourself, to "spread the word" when invited to do so, or is conversion a stated goal?
2007-03-09 16:54:38 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Most religions in the world do not believe in "spreading the word" or converting others. That is not to say that they would refuse you entry into the religion and many denominations and sects within the various religions have some sort of ritual or symbolism by which they do this. Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism are the only religions that have ever actively pursued "spreading the word" and converting others through sending missionaries as well as through the efforts of individual believers in their day to day lives. Judaism, Hinduism, Paganism, Jainism, Sikhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Shinto, Shamanism, etc, etc, etc, etc all seem to make it clear that conversion is not necessary, that "there are many paths to the One" and thus often view other religions as nothing more than another path. Of the "missionary religions" listed above (Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism) the religion of Buddhism is the only one that has never claimed that one must follow Buddhism or that the entire world must become Buddhist. It often views itself as "just another path to enlightenment" (to quote a Buddhist friend of mine).
2007-03-09 20:14:21 · answer #1 · answered by gabriel_zachary 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Im going to go with what Christ taught.
There was a parable, that he sent his disciples out to a community. While there, they were turned away. When they returned they told Christ what happened, and he pretty much said, move on. Christ never said they had to force people to listen, but merely to preach the word where it was welcome.
Lots of churches have strayed from that, so that conversion is the goal.
2007-03-10 00:59:00 · answer #2 · answered by sweetie_baby 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We are lothe to convert. There is no spreading the word, if someone asks, they have been led to you by their spirit and are meant to learn. Most religions don't convert. In fact, even Judaism won't convert, as far as I know, it is just Christianity and Islam that actively seek conversion.
2007-03-10 00:58:56 · answer #3 · answered by Huggles-the-wise 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
American Lutheranism avows evangelicalism, while the Lutheran churches of countries such as Denmark, Sweden and Germany are not fundamentalist, though 'Lutheran' translates as evangelical.
2007-03-10 01:00:43 · answer #4 · answered by wife of Ali Pasha 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Bible teaches us to go and make disciples, so it should be important to all Christians.
2007-03-10 00:59:52 · answer #5 · answered by RB 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋