Is it a necessity in any religion to convert someone?

Question

So many people preach. does the religion order (command) it? like will you go to hell if you dont preach and just let the people find out them selves.

I have a cousin (24 yrs) born christian. whenever his moms family preached to him (islamic) he hated it. But when he was 20 he studied different religions and just decided for himself that he wanted to be muslim.

so why cant we just leave everyone to learn for themselves? in many cases, we're making them hate the religion we preach because we're forcing it on them.

In my opinion, acceptanc is the first step to peace, even in this small (ahem) world of the internet, where we try to convert little bobble headed avatars.

Whats your opinion.

PS: it might sound like it, but im not a hater of any religion. ive accepted most things. what i havent accepted i ignore.

please dont report by this question. if you find it insulting, email me and ill delete it voluntarily. as long as its a valid reason.

-shame-

Epona Willow: im not that literate... what does proselytize mean?

da man: if someone hasnt gotten a chance to study religion, and then a religious person comes along and tells them all about how life will become better if they convert...dont you think its wrong. because theyre not getting the full perspective. they are being fed one religion, and they dont even know about any others. The induvidual who is converting them thinks s/he is doing the right thing, understandably. but on the whole, its not fair is it? in my opinion, and you dont have to share my opinion;
I think its better to leave the person to themselves. because in the end, we dont believe in god because of books. our belief resides in our personality. in our own mind. Do we? or do we not?

if s/he does, s/he will try and follow a godly religion. if s/he doesnt, s/he will be an aehiest.

Whether or not you elieve in god comes from within you, SOMETHING compells you to belive. if you dont, you dont. not much... hardly anything... can change that.

Answer 1

In many religions it is inherent that the members are evangelistic, as it is their job to, “save souls”. Personally, I believe that God is quite capable of getting people straightened around to His way. I can’t do God’s job as well as He can. I can however, share what I believe and listen to what they believe. Perhaps I add to their faith, perhaps they will add to mine. It is not my job to shove it down their throat. It only pushes people away anyhow. My real way to share God’s message is to live it to the best of my ability. Then I become the message. When others ask me why I behave as I do, it gives me a great opportunity to share what I believe. There is something else to consider, why is it that some who have had faith for only a short time think they have the right to convert me when I have had a relationship with God all my life?
Blessed Be

Answer 2

Well the reason people preach is because they feel that they found the truth and they want others to know about it. I'm not sure if some religions teach that you will go to hell if you don't. Some religions are more hardcore about it than others but it doesn't make them any better. If you are looking for a religion to follow look at the message and truth it offers rather than the preachers.

Answer 3

I agree with you, in fact I could hardy have put it better myself.

Some religions are all about proselytizing. Christianity has been since the beginning. I have been to Christian churches where every single sermon is about how important it is to be a Christian and invite Jesus into your life, even though everyone there was already a Christian. Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses go from door to door and do missionary work to increase the size of the church, and obviously this is for lots of reasons beyond just saving souls.

I think it's wrong to teach children that their religion is the right one and God hates anyone who believes differently. I think it just gives them the wrong message. I got really tired of hearing this when I was a kid from all my friends, that I was going to hell, and all that stuff.

If I had kids, I would be careful to teach them what what I believe is what seems reasonable to me and they should do likewise. I'd encourage them to go to church with their friends (as my parents encouraged me) and get different perspectives, but not to listen to people who believed in 'one true religion' and tried to belittle them or intimidate them.

Answer 4

I don't like feeling pressured, like when Jehovah's witnesses come and knock on my door I feel like my privacy is being invaded. Religion to me is a preference and I don't want someone else dictating to me what I should believe or not believe, or how I should live my life. I believe in God the way I see fit and no one will sway me any different.

Answer 5

I concur. I hate it when people esecially chrisitans come to me and try to Preach me the words and the work of GOD. I am an agnostic and will be for the rest of my life. I don't want someone to come to me and challenge my beliefs on life. The main problem with those who try to convert others is that they don't accept your way of life and believe that their way is better.

Answer 6

i will give a very brief answer.

Islam is a religion of peace which came fom the base word "peace". Never ever muslim's forced converted ppl the evidence is on the heights of ottoman empire which was Muslim empire streched through europe north africa and middle east but when they had the power to force convert they didnt proof is greece and many other non-islamic countries they ruled cause islam true way of preaching is from peace and convey the message of God called "dawah". life is a test even for a muslim Also God say in the Glorious Quran

"We shall test your faith by means of fear and hunger and loss of wealth and lives and crops, but give good tidings to those who endured with courage, who in hardship say, "To Allah we belong and to Him shall we return."

-Qur'an, Al Baqara, Surah 2:155-56

Answer 7

For the more successful ones.

The religions that do not spread themselves get outpaced by those that do.

Religions evolve and compete just like different species. Read up on how religions have started and changed over time and then try to tell me it is not true.

Answer 8

No, I dont believe its a necessity to convert someone. GOD gives us free will. I do believe that when someone asks ME something about my religion, I will give just an exact, brief and honest answer. I whole-heartedly believe that when someone converts to a religion it should be from their heart and own mind.
~peace

Answer 9

I am a Christian. I am to worship God, love my neighbor and my enemy, and witness to non-believers. In Christianity, conversion comes at the urging of the Holy Spirit. My job is to share the gospel.

Answer 10

To convert someone else to a religion is not a necessity. What is necessary is that we ourselves convert. We are all encouraged to pray for others.

I believe we are all called to witness, to be the incarnate love of God. I believe we are manifestations of God's love and we each have gifts and a reason we are here on earth. I believe I am to share God's unconditional love with everyone. Let us love one another.

"Dear children! .... I have come to you to help you and, therefore, I invite you to change your life because you have taken a path of misery, a path of ruin. When I told you: convert, pray, fast, be reconciled, you took these messages superficially. You started to live them and then you stopped, because it was difficult for you. No, dear children, when something is good, you have to persevere in the good and not think: God does not see me, He is not listening, He is not helping..... Therefore, pray, live my messages and then you will see the miracles of God's love in your everyday life. Thank you for having responded to my call."