What do you feel is "playing fair" in proselytizing a religion?

Question

We hear the complaint all the time that some people are way too pushy in trying to tell others about their religion. But some people, most notably Christians and Muslims, have a duty to proselytize as part of their religion. So what would you consider to be acceptable and not too pushy?

Wow! Eleven good answers in 20 minutes! I'm going to extend this one and see what I get. Thanks, all you who answered quickly.

Answer 1

Proselytizing a religion?

You mean like converting or attempting to convert another person from one belief, doctrine, cause, or faith to different one, like your own, for example?

In my opinion (you did ask for an opinion, right?), if it works, then it is acceptable. If it does not work, it is not (either too pushy or not pushy enough).

If the person (or group) receiving the message becomes annoyed then the action is not proselytizing. It is be subjecting others to harassment. This is not likely to convert anyone. Duty to proselytize means doing acts which cause true conversion. If an act prevents or hinders free will conversion then it is not proselytizing, it is sin.

Here is the problem: On one hand, some among the proselytizers are very good. They accomplish their given task by knowing who is receptive and what and when to communicate the message that will make a difference. They tend to get their personal business lost while doing their duty for the Divine.

On the other hand, some are not only poor at this task, they are indeed counterproductive. They have no sensitivity toward the object of their conversion. They do not understand the position or motives of their targets. They almost never can find the exact words needed. Their timing is always out of phase with others. They tend to be self absorbed (selfishly sinning).

The parable about casting seeds is deals with this behavior. Some are stupid enough to think that they are casting their seed among the rocks, so nothing grows because of the rocks. They do not realize that they should be casting into more fertile ground to get something to grow. The problem is with the caster (who would waste seed), not the soil.

Answer 2

Proselytizing or missionarying in this day and age is redundant. with the amount of Religious information that is available everywhere what is the need to have people going from door to door making a nuisance of themselves by giving uneeded and unwanted material. I have Mormons come to my door two or three times a year, Jehovah's Witnesses at least three times a year. They ALL leave their religious tracts (solid waste, to me), and the next time I'm in town I stuff it back into the door of their churches. I was accosted by one once, and told that I've sold my soul to the devil. I responded that I was a Wiccan, and I didn't sell my soul to Godess, I eagerly and enthusiatically GAVE it to her freely and without reservation. The time for preselytizing, at least here in the United States is LONG over. It has become a nuisance and is unwelcomed at best. I am NOT interested in "hearing the Good News" unless I can proslytize right back at them about Wicca. For some reason though, they never seem to stick around for that. Why is that?

Brightest Blessings,
Raji the Green Witch

Answer 3

I have no problem with a Christian sharing their beliefs, or a Muslim for that matter.

The problems start when I politely decline and the insults start or there is just no let up on the efforts so that they become annoying or you are treated with less respect as a person, neighbour, co worker etc.

Not all Christians are like this of course. Some do not even feel inclined to convert every single person. However I find that among those who DO feel that inclination, they get their personal ego wrapped up in it and feel personally insulted or rejected when you do not want to join their religion.

Even if they say they do not feel personally affronted, they always have to leave with some snide comment about God punishing you or something like that.

Answer 4

If someone comes to YOUR house and asks questions, then speak your mind. But you should not go to their house and push your views.

If you can SELL your faith on its own merits, that is good. If you can not sell your faith without attack the other faith, that is bad.

If you must threaten death and hell for those who do not agree with you, you are the one with the problem, not the person you are talking to.

If asked to give a prayer at a non-religious event or location, do not assume everyone is of the same faith as you. Try to give a prayer that everyone can say AMEN to. Do not go ending the prayer in "the name of Jesus" or "Muhammad be praised" as you will have some people who can not say amen and thus instead of drawing the group together, as most religions want, you divide them.

Answer 5

I think that when a valid question is asked then a valid answer is appropriate. I think a lot of people on this site need to use their words more (Instead of JUST quoting scripture). Scripture is good to back up your statements but people shouldn't hide behind it. They need to think for themselves when answering questions. I get so frustrated when some ask a religious question then complain that religious people are shoving God down their throats. I also get frustrated when people take the rude/ obnoxious answers of some and then point the finger at the whole group.

Answer 6

I think it's a problem when a religion makes it a "duty" of its devotees to proselytize in the first place.

But you know, personally, it's like this. If you really feel the need to tell me about Jesus or Allah-and-Mohammed-His-Prophet as if I haven't heard of either of them, fine. I'll simply reply that I'm glad you've found something that works for you, but I'm not interested. If you push it further than that, you're asking for it.

Answer 7

Hey lady who holds light over big water...

So... Going out on a limb...

I was a Mormon Missionary in Fukuoka, Japan in the early 90's... One brother of mine served a Mission for 18 months in Perth, WA. Another in Louisville, Kentucky...

I saw bashing between Mormons, Baptists, JW's, and even Sokugakai, Tao, secular followers of Buddah...

I hated it.

I loved to go out and teach to who ever wanted to & desired to listen...

Let me say it again... TO WHO EVER WANTED TO & DESIRED TO LISTEN.

I was not seen as a good missionary because I didn't try to cram what I felt was true down any ones mind. If a person said no thanks, I'd be like cool, thanks for your time and leave them alone.

If a bash was going on with my companion and some other... I'd shut up and bow out... I never wanted anything to do with it.

I enjoied my mission. I don't regret it. Mainly because of the Japanese. In some ways I learned a little humility from them.

Say your mind, then shut up.

Brilliant question.

CMW up there... I have been with people who did not know the Bible, Christ, or even the concept of God... Stepping outside the USA you find them all over the world... It is VERY humbling to learn what they see as a diety or under what rules they have lived by... But there are many who have no clue what a Christian is at all.

Aunt B... I got to sit with the Dalai Lama in 2005 in Sun Valley, Idaho because I helped set the stage and sound...

He asked me one question, what religion I followed... I told him I was a Mormon. He closed his eyes and then looked at me and said "Great people, hard past". Then he went on to give a great talk on compassion. I thought it was cool how he openly shows frienship for any man's religious affiliation.

You are a witch, But you have shown me great respect here in Yahoo land (I'm kissing a$$ now). So you are actually an angel...
It is all in how you present your attitude of what you believe in association to how you treat others...

*insert the golden rule*
Again, Brilliant question...

Answer 8

why should people who don't accept a religion as fact be obligated to accept the rules of that religion? the Christian religion attempts to force non-Christians to live by Christian rules, as we can see by all the social laws that have been enforced by the Christian majority.

Answer 9

We live in a culture where it's hard to find somebody who has not heard of the Bible or Jesus. Therefore, I respond when I'm asked a question, which is rather often. I don't press people who have heard and rejected Jesus.

Answer 10

They should be placed with the rest of the "proselytizers" that plague society: in the psych ward.