I just don't understand this, I'm a high school freshman and I feel like I lost my best friend to a religion/religious group. She is always with her youth group now and doing church related things. I've talked to her about it, and she admitted she thought she could make me believe the things she does. This youth group is always handing out fliers, making announcements at school, and having kids talk it up to go there. It bothers me that they are always a presence in my life, because I completely disbelieve everything about it. It seems that this year, they have been really wanting to convert everyone to believe what they do. I don't get why other religions (muslim, jews, hindus) don't feel the need to convert people, so why do christians?
2007-03-20 09:11:33 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
To some of you, I have read the Bible, and for three years I went to a catholic school. I am sceptical of some of the bible's teachings and catholics, well, I won't get started. But I think these kids who I want to call my friends don't understand that they are getting sucked into a cult-like atmosphere. They don't really talk to anyone outside the group, but they want you to join really badly. I just don't think the situation they are in is good, religion is, believing without a cause, isnt
2007-03-20 09:26:47 · update #1
I don't know. I'm Christian, but I know for a fact that if someone walked up to me and said that I was going to Hell if I didn't listen to them, I would be pretty annoyed. I guess I'm just a Christian that doesn't believe on forcing my religion on others. If they believe, great, if not, well that's their decision, not mine and I have no place to change their mind if they don't want.
2007-03-20 11:12:06 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is all in the way that people interpret their religious texts. Christians see Jesus as an extension of God and that because he traveled to convert "non-believers"(non-believers were people of other beliefs such as paganism, polytheism, Buddist, Taoism, etc.) that it is the job of all followers to sort of lead others to the "true" religion.
If you really want to get rid of this youth group in your everyday life you need to address school officials about legality of a youth group fliering a school or making announcements, esp. if you can point out that it is predominantly Christian, while other denominations are not allowed to do the same or do not have equal representation.
2007-03-20 09:20:29 · answer #2 · answered by espressoaddict22 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yours is a great question, and one worthy of a serious answer.
Let me pose a hypothetical question to you. If you knew your friend was travelling down a major highway doing 60 miles an hour, and you knew that just around a very sharp curve ahead a bridge was out which would cause the near certain death of your friend, wouldn't you feel compelled to let your friend know about it as soon as possible.
The primary focus of Christianity is that Jesus Christ is the ONLY way to find ultimate joy, and life after death in a place called heaven. True followers of Christ believe this to be the case, and are compelled (out of compassion for those they know) to at least try to help their friends also obtain the benefits of a relationship with Christ.
It could be because of something else, but it is likely out of love for you that your friend would like to see you find the same happiness and joy she has found.
Perhaps you could go back to your friend again and ask her why she acts like she does.
Good Luck, and may God bless you with the answers you seek.
2007-03-20 09:27:38 · answer #3 · answered by A Calm Voice of Reason 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
There is a passage in the bible that speaks about bringing others to their religion. I forgot the book and verse but it goes like this: if any of you bring a stray sheep to the flock, your sins will be forgiven because you have brough a lost sheep back". They think is moral to try to convert others and they believe their right so they see it as a way of saving others from "false" religions. Hindus respect other beliefs as is stated in their religions, Jews really don't care, and Muslims try to convert but is not obvious nor are they persistent.
2007-03-20 09:20:49 · answer #4 · answered by cynical 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There are many religious groups you have to watch out for. One, Mormon religion, was one was heavily passing out information on our college campus.
Personally, I don't try to pressure anyone. I believe that everyone has the right to choose their own religion. However, I believe that God is real and He will one day (very soon) return and the Bible says - "Every knee will bow and every tounge will confess" that He is Lord. As a Christian, I don't judge, but I don't want to see anyone go to hell either.
2007-03-20 09:19:45 · answer #5 · answered by reandsmom77 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
well actually everyone in every religion tries to "convert" you. Your just not old enough yet to have seen it all.
Well I am going to say this...Being a good friend means understanding things that are important in your friends lives" If your friend finds her belief's important, then you have to support her, no matter what you feel. If you choose not too attend those functions, then you should both understand why she's there and your not.
Youth Groups do great things for our communities...Its great that she wants to get involved with things other than high school gossip.
2007-03-20 09:17:58 · answer #6 · answered by chersa 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Because we have a desire to see all will accept Jesus make it to Heaven
It's that simple
What good are the religions that you speak of that don't care if people make it or not?
God commands us to go into all the world and preach the gosple
Jesus says, " No man comes to the Father but thru Me"
2007-03-20 09:29:07 · answer #7 · answered by kenny p 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
because its not a religone its a relationship with the one persone that can make you whole and that and they are commanded in the bible in matthew chapter 26 i think to go and preach the gospel to all and i support what thier doing i just wish our youth group would maybe talk to our friend some more on why them doing all that stuff makes you feel wierd oh and its not because were miserable or for money
2007-03-20 09:19:19 · answer #8 · answered by bballboyrocks 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Jesus commanded his followers to go out and spread the teachings of Jesus to everyone. It was the last command that he gave.
Christians are not supposed to "convert" anyone; only God can do that. but someone would not be a good Christian if he or she didn't obey Jesus' last command to spread the word to every living person.
2007-03-20 09:27:39 · answer #9 · answered by Randy G 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Actually, happiness loves company. I have experienced so much joy and happiness that I want to share it with others. Not force it, or coerce it, but share it as it is received or not received. The choice is yours......
2007-03-20 09:17:07 · answer #10 · answered by Kerry 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋