If a religion were so great to begin with, why would it need to recruit followers?

Question

The idea of converting others sickens me. Why do people even do that? Do they need to validate their own faith by making their numbers bigger? It's so obvious that religions like this have plans to take over the world. Then they claim that they are peaceful and want to live without violence or hatred with others. How is that possible when they're so interested in converting others?

Answer 1

They aren't, actually.

They're only really interested in the people who seem interested in the religion - they don't want blind followers who are willing to jump through hoops and call them master.

It's a question every believer should ask themselves - do you believe because you're interested in the religion can do for others or do you believe because you're interested in what the religion can do for you?

EDIT: answering questions with questions, i know. :(

Answer 2

We do not NEED to recruit followers, we want to share the "GOOD NEWS"
Imagination time. What if the whole world had an awful disease that would cause them to get sick and suffer the most excruciating pain imaginable, but they would not die and be free of it? Now imagine I discover a pill a person could take and it was totally free. the pill would not only cure the illness, but allow the recipient to live forever in eternal bliss forever. They would have indescribable happiness, and would share this happiness with all that received the pill.

Cute story, but true. Christians feel that the world Does have the illness described. What kind of a monster would I be to NOT want to share the cure with others?

This is the best way I can describe it to you. If you do not know Jesus as your Savior, it can be like explaining the color orange to a man blind from birth. Perhaps the little story has at least let you know my, and hopefully most Christians intentions. Salvation in Christ Jesus is the greatest thing we could share with anyone. I hope you check it out!

By the way, why do you try to tell others they should not try to convert people. That must be your view, and trying to get me to do like you just sickens me..............Just kidding, but perhaps you see my point. :-)

Answer 3

Do you mean, why do people want to try and convince you that God cares about you and wants to talk with you?

If that sickens you, maybe you already have a god who squirms when he hears the name Jesus.

If you haven't met God, maybe you should ask him to introduce himself.

The fact that you haven't met the living God does not mean he is not watching over you. These are spiritual matters and can not be understood from the physical side.

Put aside preconceptions and self assurance and talk to the God you don't believe exists. He will hear you because Jesus Has given his life for this reason and prayed for you.

Don't put yourself in the seat of the scoffer and don't do what many "christians" do on here and judge the whole lot of believers because of a few who have stolen or misuse the name.

Write me if you want
Gypsy Priest

Answer 4

Religion is dead. God is alive. Followers of God and Jesus will be the ones who convert others. If Christians pray and believe in God then God will help the Christians convert people. Religion can't convert anything since it just has turned into a bunch of non sense. God is the only one who has use Christians to convert people.

Answer 5

I see a lot of peaceful people who try to convert others. Its the ones NOT wanting to covert others because they feel that they are superior by birth who are often the violent ones.

Answer 6

A religion isnt validated by how large it is, but by the principles that define it. From Buddhism to Islam, people choose to join whatever religion they want, because it provides some kind of comfort to them. if it makes them happy, we shouldnt knock it.

Answer 7

I don't agree with what you said, as I have had firends who are christian and pagan, and I even have members of my family who are practioners of islam. But each of those individuals has always accepted me as agnostic. Yes in the past i have had people come to my door, and hand me pamplets about their religious beliefs, but all their have ever done is make me aware of their being an open door.

Answer 8

The problem also remains, as seen through out history, when people refuse to be converted, they are often FORCIBLY converted or killed.

Even in more civilized societies, it is not untypical for a religious society to completely shun a person because of their PERSONAL beliefs.

100% BS

Answer 9

When I was 18 I decided to kill myself. I called a crisis line and asked for help. The compassionate lady who listened to me got me the number of a Christian youth organization. I went to visit them. After I watched them for a while I asked them what they had, they explained about Jesus and I decided I wanted a relationship with Him and they told me how to ask Him and prayed with me. My life has been so much better since then. Knowing Jesus has given me a reason to stay alive. He was the first one who ever really loved me.

If someone asks me I love to tell them about Jesus. I don't have to go around pushing people into faith.

BUT, I look around me and there are so many miserable people, lonely, aimless, needing something. I wish I could tell them all about God and His love. But I just have to wait and hope for a legitimate opening where I can share about Him.

RELIGION IS NOT GREAT: RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD IS GREAT!!!!!

Answer 10

Its not about numbers-or at least its not supposed to be.
Its about individuals. Each person matters to God because each can suffer or rejoice, do evil or do good. Christians are to evangelise because we are to love our fellow man and not want them to suffer or perish.

The Bible says in 2 Peter 3:9 that "God is not willing that any should perish"