Do you feel the need to express your religious or spiritual views?

Question

Especially if they are unsolicited? I would be interested in hearing your answers and reasoning behind this.
And if you are the "victim" of this attempted conversion, how do you handle the situation?

For example, when i am approached by someone with conversion in mind, i try to listen quietly until they are done with their "talk" and then i express my own beliefs. And if they try to interrupt, i calmly say,...I heard you out, please give me the same consideration.

As usual, no bashing, and please list your faith or religious affiliation with your answer. That is if i dont know already!:)

Blessings to all and Thanks for Answering!

Blessed Be
)o(
Trinity

H.I. thats deep...ya kinda lost me there.

Answer 1

There comes a point in time, when even the most tolerant person canbe pushed beyond his limits, especially here in the bible belt. Have you had any success in having them to listen to you?
I don't listen anymore, I cut them off before they get into the 5th word, i am polite, but, I don't stand on street corners and shout, nor do i approach anyone and begin to proclaim.

Blessed be to you as well )O(

Answer 2

I really don't like the in-your-face knock on the door stuff at all.
I feel that I live a in-awe-of-the-grace-of-God-life, as best as the moment brings.
I also am not into "preaching" or trying to "teach" someone, unless they ask, then the "soil" has been tiled, and "seeds" will fall on open ground.
For me it is obvious that when people are not interested,
one should not push, watch the eyes, they tell much.

I also know that "seeds" sown may not bear fruit in that moment or even in the near future,
I know the being is open, I have met the moment,
using only my intuition, and the knowledge that comes through for that particular person,
I know, they will continue to ask,
and one day, one day some time in the future,
I hear the words spoken through me, related back to me,
as owned by the one that received them previously.
This is the gift. That "it" was heard.
A moment truly of wonder.

I hear what you are saying, and there is many who know not how to listen, and hear. Listening is not about waiting for the other person to finish what they want to say, while all the time you have a retort, or reply. Nothing has actually been heard and the moment is not of God and is lost to the mind/ego.

The greatest gift to give anyone is to listen, and truly hear what they are saying. In truly hearing, and only non-verbally encouraging them to empty themselves of "the" thought process, one can effect a healing of true release.
Watch for the sigh, it is the expelling of the stuck energetic which has bound that person, probably for aeons.

Blessings to you

Peace in the heart.

Answer 3

>>>why do they feel obligated to answer? We don't feel *obligated* to answer, but often, having been there ourselves, and thus familiar with both sides of the issue, we are actually better equipped than you, to answer the question. >>>“I don’t believe in [insert religion aspect here]- I’m an Atheist,” and >>>I’m just sitting there like, “Good grief, was that truly necessary?” I do so totally agree with you, But on the other side of the coin is the christian who makes the same sort of childish retort. ...And there are many. >>>Diane the Succubus (PFLAG): I did rant but now you're telling me that I offended Atheists? I would list that one among the among the "I'm an atheist, there is no god", type of childish answers Anyone who's hide is so thin, shouldn't be here. I agree with Trofim L: but again, that blade cuts both ways. Perhaps if discussion were easier, and more were willing to discuss, rather than just drive by trolling, there could be better understanding, but as most of the people, especially the christians, but not only the christians, who make such stupid comments, refuse any other contact, there is not a lot to be done. I would suggest that you block those who never offer anything constructive, atheist and theist alike, although I fear that there would be few left to ask, or answer.

Answer 4

I don't feel the NEED to. I will if asked, but that doesn't happen very often. What we believe determines how we live anyway. If we're honest, we can figure out what most people believe by the way they live their lives. For example, the proselytizer (person trying to convert you) in your face shows you what they believe. They believe that being right the most important thing about life, i.e. you're wrong, I'm right, so agree to my propositions.

I'm a Christ-follower, by the way. Hope my judgmental attitude and ignorance didn't give me away. I'm a little bit bitter at how some people represent God...

Answer 5

I'm always up for having a religious discussion or a comparison of ideas, but I'm not the "conversion" type. If its appropriate, I'll mention that I'm a Christian, and I'll happily be willing to discuss what becoming a Christian entails, if the person is interested. But I never approach someone for the sole purpose of trying to convert them.

I'm like you -- if I'm approached by someone, I'll take the time to listen to them, and respectfully explain why I don't believe the same way. Unless I'm incredibly busy, I usually invite JW's, Mormons, etc into my home and offer them something to drink, and give them a chance to share their beliefs with me.

Answer 6

I'm an Eclectic Pagan and I only express my own religious beliefs if the topic should happen to come up in conversation. If someone else wants to share their beliefs with me I see no reason for me not to be able to do the same.

Answer 7

I'm a Christian. I express my religious views when appropriate such as when it comes up in a conversation. I do not try to convert anyone. To me, that's like dropping seeds on concrete. If someone expresses interest in my beliefs or in God, I'll talk with them. If God wants me to discuss religion, He'll set the scene.

It sounds like you handle your business just fine. No one can fault you as long as you are respectful and it sounds like you are. Bravo!

Answer 8

I am usually relaxed in discussing my beliefs with people. Where I may get slightly anxious is when I want to confront something that I believe is false. Not because I don't want to hear them out but honestly because I might forget later what I had intended to red flag them on.

Answer 9

God preserved me despite a massive heart attack that put me into a comma. The doctors said it was the end for me.

I'm still here, to spread the GOOD NEWS! Life does not end.

Our five year old was discussing Noah's Ark with Grandma.

Grandma asked, "How many animals went into the Ark?"

The youngster replied: "One mail and one e-mail."

Answer 10

As a Heathen, we do not proselytize. I like that. Basically, it is because we do not want people who donot really want to be one of us. That's quite a difference from the patriarchic belief structures like christianity and islam. They try to get everyone, and in doing so get those who join out of fear or in the hope of getting something for nothing. Glad they got them and not us.