Why do people who do not believe in Christ think that all Christians are out to convert them?

Question

Look this is the truth, I am not trying to convert anyone to Christianity. I am a believer in Jesus Christ , and I try with all my heart to follow the Lord, but I am not trying to get anyone to follow Christ agianst their will. I realize that Christ told us to go and make disciples of all nations.......and I do practice personal evangelism however I realize that no person will come to Christ unless Christ himself draws them to Him. I will tell people about the Lord but I will not beg and plead it is not my place, and it can turn people off to the faith. Why is there so much hostility towards believers in Christ? I believe that I know why but what is your veiw, I would like to know. Try to be nice, I am respectful of your beliefs, return the favor.

Answer 1

Maybe if all christians thought as you do the problem wouldn't exist.

Answer 2

Being respectful of other's beliefs does NOT mean engaging in "personal evangelism" in any way, shape, or form. That is not respectful of anyone's beliefs except your own.

If you are getting hostile reactions, then you aren't confining your remarks to what YOU did for YOUR soul, but are more than likely expanding that in some way to make the other person feel like you are saying that THEY need to do the same thing.

The thing is, realise that your beliefs end where the other person begins.


Don't "personally evangelize" unless asked to do so.

Don't forget, it's more important to LIVE your faith than to try to talk other people into it, even indirectly. Be an example of goodness, kindness, charity, non-judgementalism in your daily life, helping in whatever ways you can to make the world a better place. Everyone can relate to that and will see that here is a christian who actually practices what is preached.

Answer 3

The few ruins it for everyone. There are Christians who preach by living a good life and if a person lives what they believe then those searching will go to them and ask.

I was a Christian minister for many years before leaving christianity I went into homes and studied the bible with people. I would debate issues puclicly and privately. I preached sermons from pulpits to hundreds of people. I have personally baptized dozens of people. I am sure at times I made mistakes and probably was not as tactful as I could or should have been, but I tried.

What turns most people off is the very judgemental people who preach all the time and are rude about it and love to tell us we are going to hell.

If you are not like this and just judgeing from your question I don't think you are, then your life could be the one that makes a difference in someone's life. we all influence people either for good or ill and it matters not what our religious beliefs, if we treat others like we want to be treated and live good honorable lives and mind our own business, then we can and will influence others for good. Even when I was a christian I would daily have to defend my beliefs against Baptist and Pentecostals mainly due to the nature of their beliefs. Baptists were out to change my beliefs on Baptism and I would have to show scripture where it was not only commanded, but demanded for salvation and the Pentecostals were intent on making me believe in modern day miracles and tongue speaking. A good many of these people were nasty about it.

Not all Baptists did this and not all pentecostals, but like I said in the beginning, the few ruins it for all. If you understand this and keep it in mind, you may just change a life for good.
BB

Answer 4

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Just spend a few minutes researching Vatican city. As God is the alpha and the omega why would his feelings get hurt if someone called him Buddha? OH he wouldn't well then all of the manipulation is human based and there are big fat dollar signs there (where previously all that mattered was power)

PS: as a follow up, what's with the atheists? What in the hell are they trying to convert others to? Out of all people I would think they are the most tolerant ...guess not...believe in nothing ...yeah that's comforting

Answer 5

Because not all Christians are respectful of other people's beliefs; it's as simple as that.

Not all Christians stop witnessing or preaching to you when you ask them.

Not all Christians give respect to other people's faiths, some make up or perpetuate horrible lies about other religions. They don't respect that someone else's spiritual experience are taken as seriously by other people as they take theirs.

Not all Christians are like this-- but don't the bad apples in just about all groups spoil it for everyone else?

Most Christians I know are wonderful, respectful people; honestsly though, when I don't know someone, and they try to start up a religious conversation, I cringe, because I have encountered the rudest and most hateful Christians on occasion and I don't want to deal with that again.

Maybe instead of directing your concerns to those who have grown over-sensitive based on the behavior of some Christians, you should direct it at the Christians who are not being respectful and giving all Christians a bad name?

Answer 6

I can't speak for anyone else but I can say that I personally don't think you ALL are trying to convert me. That would be like a christian saying ALL Muslims are are trying to convert them. Sure, the Muslims think you have it all wrong, but some of them would be content to let you believe as you wish and suffer the consequences in the afterlife.

Answer 7

Okay, and you represent all Christians, do you? We should think of Billy Graham, Pat Robertson, Benny Hinn, all the missionaries throughout the centuries, the people who knock on doors, the people who set up "help centres" for the vulnerable in universities, the people handing out pamphlets in the high streets, as abberations among the Christian majority who are only interested in their own business and not into converting anyone?

Answer 8

I know that not every christian is trying but as you've seen that rosebud person does everyday, a couple of times a day. Based on her I'd never convert even if my life was at stake.

Personally I don't want to hear it if I didn't ask. I mean in real life not here on the computer. I personally think it's rude when someone witnesses to me and I didn't ask.

Answer 9

First of all, Jesus is a mythological character, so "he" can't possibly "draw" people to "him." You make statements of faith as though they are statements of fact. I find that very annoying. It's just the way I am. I think that anyone who professes to believe in something that's so central to their lives should learn the history of that belief. To do otherwise is, in my opinion, intellectually dishonest.

While I would prefer that every adult employ critical thinking, and eschew superstition, I do recognize that it is everyone's right to believe what they want.

My biggest problem with religion, in general, and christian religions, in particular, is that some christians aren't content to have their own beliefs, and leave everyone else alone. I'm not saying that you do or don't fit into this category. After all, I don't know you. But, I know, for a fact, that America was founded as a secular nation, and I believe it should remain so.

I do not take kindly to people who try to make me feel unwelcome in my own home -- America.

Answer 10

"I realize that Christ told us to go and make disciples of all nations" There you got it. I respect you and your God but you can't deny the fact that most Christians are trying to convert others.

Answer 11

You can blame this on me if you want to. I am just like the warning sign on an electric appliance. I warn people because I don't want them to get burned. With me its just that simple. I am not perfect but when I stand before God I am not going to be guilty of doing nothing like the "unprofitable servant" was, Matthew 25:30.