Have humans evolved an instinctual compulsion to try to convert other people to their religion?

Answer 1

Yes, but it's not just religion. If you look at a herd of animals, the one that is "different" stands out; in so doing, he puts the entire herd at risk. People work off the same basic model, so we are often instinctively fearful of that which is different, and try to make it so that it's "not-different."

Answer 2

No, quite the opposite. Most evangelists have to be trained to seek converts, and spend quite a bit of time working up the courage to approach others. Evangelistic religions tend to lay great emphasis on converting others, and make evangelism one of the core duties of every member of the community.

Converting others to a specific religion is very different from converting people to a specific political or philosophical view. Religious conversion means that you have to elicit a commitment from the other person - that is what makes people shy away from evangelism. You can argue politics all day long - but only the most callous evangelist doesn't feel a sense of self-consciousness when trying to win someone over to a new faith.

Answer 3

Humans have an instinctual compulsion to try to convert other people to all aspects of their thinking (not just religion): politics, culture, etc. It's "herd mentality."

It's the way the struggle for "power" operates in humans.

Mind you, some humans are able to transcend their crude biological drivings, and (perhaps ironically) many do so through religion.

Answer 4

No. There are plenty of religions and religious folk in the world who feel NO compulsion to try and convert others (who more or less do not care what other people believe religiously, as long as they are free to practice their own religion/believe what they will in peace)...religions and religious people who are perfectly happy with the fact that not everyone agrees with them and sees spirituality exactly the same way.

I think it is religions which teach that you are either for "God" or against "God" and which teach that you can either believe x,y,z or you will burn in hell forever/be alienated from God forever unless you conform which create a compulsion to convert others. If you honestly believed that people who didn't believe in your God were your enemy and if you honestly believed that other people would spend eternity in hell unless they believed as you, naturally you would want to convert others, wouldn't you? That would only be the compassionate thing to do (which is why, in my opinion, many people who try to convert others don't realize how obnoxious/condescending they truly are, because from their standpoint, they are honestly just trying to help).

If (on the other hand) you believed that there were many paths to God and that God does not have the same plan for everyone in terms of what they should believe to be happy, productive individuals serving a higher purpose (or if you believed that your religion is your birthright for being part of a particular ethnic group and so others need not apply), then you wouldn't feel a compulsion to convert others.

I think religious persecution can instill a compulsion to try and convert others as a means of survival...but I think survival is the actual instinct, not an instinct to make sure everyone believes the same things you do about God/religion.

Answer 5

Some evangelistics & other religions` instincts are such... to compare, to empower themselves as the largest group and take hold of the trust of the people to earn thithes and have the pride as the synthetic God`s followers & believers.
So, using all the charisma, the fabrications, the misinformations & misleadings are works of satan`s evilness.
So... please, all believers should be careful.

Since you are in global yahoo questions & answers...of course, you may expect different personalities...
Thus, not all believers have those kind of insecurities.
Some though few...like Jesus Christ...have the truest intentions of leading you all to the true path towards the Most High God for everyone`s salvations.

Now, finding these few true prophets who can help you are not easy to find... and it all depends in your true intentions & your hearts desire to live with God for eternity.

So, Good Luck...and...God Bless !!!

Answer 6

I don't know about other humans. We Muslim pass the message God gave to Mohammad because He told us to do so for there will never be another true Prophet until the end of this world. Because Mohammad is the last Messenger of God. We only give true information. We do not try to convert any one. People read the facts, get convinced and convert themselves, because they find very convincing truth in Quran.
Quran has information for over 1400 years about sciences
which have been discovered in 20th century only. Prophet Mohammad didn't kow science. Words in Quran have to be written by the God Himself who knows every thing because He created every thing and all sciences. Scientists only discove what God has created.

Here is a site to read for you:

http://www.islamreligion.com/category/34/

Answer 7

Or a compulsion to try to convert others to their atheism? Some still spend much time attacking those who believe.

Answer 8

Desiree, I am not evolved or compelled to convert people to my religion.

I have met Jesus Christ and He has changed my life so drastically that I want other suffering people to know what is available to them.

My childhood was filled with disgusting, devastating abuse. Meeting Jesus when I was 18 and suicidal changed me almost overnight. He gave me joy and peace to replace the despair, self-pity and depression that were killing me.

I was abused physically, sexually, emotionally and spiritually. I was hurt by relatives, my first pastor, my first dentist and my fourth grade teacher and a teenage boy. I was emotionally crippled, full of bitterness and cynicism. Over time, Jesus has gotten me to the place that I have forgiven ALL of those who abused me. No one but a God could have changed my heart and attitude toward those who shamed and hurt me.

I don't want to convert anyone to a religion, I want to introduce them to my savior, Jesus Christ. I offer them the chance to meet the God who loved them so much He gave up His life and divinity to rescue them from spiritual self-destruction.

As a young Christian I was Compulsive in trying to convert people to Christianity. Thankfully, I matured in my faith and grew to realize that all I ever need to do is offer people an honest explanation of what Jesus Christ has done for me. Anything beyond this must be worked out by God's Holy Spirit working inside someone's heart.

God Bless You, Desiree. Could I introduce you to my loving Savior, Jesus?

Answer 9

yes, because they want the company and the confirmation that they are right and there for superior for knowing the "true path" first. They get to feel superior because they "saved" the "Heathens" In actuality they are insecure in their own beliefs and feel the need to prove and justify their beliefs by pushing them on others....... Sorry, part Native American and not Christian- sore subject

Answer 10

Martin Luther once described evangelism as one beggar telling another where to find bread. The message is only for the hungry.