Why do people try to push thier religions on others??

Question

I don't understand this...Athiests don't try to convince christians that there is no God..I don't understand cause they really don't care about the person, I say that becasue they say things like "Oh your just going to go to hell if you don't believe" Why all these Christians on here attacking athiests..There are so many other religions in the world so why is it that Christians feel the need to shove thier religion on everyone..Why can't they just believe what they want and let others do the same?

Answer 1

Superiority complexes make people do strange things....

Answer 2

Careful about grouping all Christians into one personae - not everyone acts the same. The ones who tend to become most notorious for their bombastic nature are few in number - it's just that they tend to be the loudest...

If you believe strongly in something, and you believe it is right and good, wouldn't you want to lead another person to that belief especially if you thought they were hurting themselves?
Not everyone goes about it in a healthy way, though.

Take two mothers trying to teach their child a lesson. One mother gently, but firmly instructs her child on how to change his behavior, and the other mother beats her child into submission. The mother beating her child obviously gets noticed more and the approach does more harm than good.
Both mothers were trying to teach a "good" lesson, but one went about it in a good way, the other in a bad way.

So, you can take it both ways. If you, the atheist, think that your knowledge is correct, then, out of goodness, wouldn't you want to inform others? I've met plenty of atheists who turn quite nasty at any sort of religious dialogue and resort to insults - not even trying to listen to the Christian point-of-view. I have also met many overbearing Bible thumpers who act just as wrongly.

So, I think the question isn't "why do Christians feel the need..." But "why do some people, in general, feel the need..."

Answer 3

I've been thinking the same thing. Except I wouldn't single out Christians. Looking at the postings here, I *do* see athiests attacking believers, lots of people attacking Muslims, etc. I have a few thoughts about all this, but no certaintly. I'll be interested in what others have to say.

It appears to me that some (perhaps most) religious teachings encourage narrow-mindedness. One hears people talking about the "one true church," the "only path to salvation," and so forth. If such a message is drummed into your head from early childhood, it is hard to think of alternative views as being equally valid. Many religions also teach that it is one's duty to pull in converts. Such efforts are bound to stir up trouble.

Also, although no single religion claims a majority of the world's population, people of a given faith tend to cluster. In the U.S., Christianity is so dominant that we are rarely exposed to alternative beliefs. Thus, one can make statements like, "America is a Christian country," or "Muslims are hateful," without hearing anybody challenge these views. (In Muslim countries, one can get applause for saying "Zionism is racism" or "The Jews stole land from the Palestinians.")

Finally, religious beliefs are based on faith, not "scientific evidence." For that reason, it is hard to give persuasive evidence that your religious beliefs, or mine, are "correct." In science, opinions tend to converge as more evidence is gathered. In religion, ideas tend to diverge. Yet if we are to get along in the world, we need to be able to say to ourselves, "Although I think my beliefs are "true," they are not true for everyone." It's hard to think that way, but unless we make the effort, I fear for our future.

Answer 4

Well... because faith is a very fragile thing and we rely on others for support. People go to church to be with other believers; it reinforces their own beliefs.

Religious people tend to feel threatened by anything that has the potential to destablise their belief. e.g other faiths, science, etc. Hence all those religious wars!

The same applies to conspiracy theories. These theories gain more momentum or gravitas as the number of believers around the world increases.

Answer 5

True Christians feel that it is thier obligation to obey the commandment set forth by Jesus Christ in Matthew 28:19&20 where he tells us to 'make disciples'. Also we are motivated out of love for God and neighbor to share with others the wonderful prospect of everlasting life on a paradise earth -Titus 1:2; John 3:16; John 17:3; Revelation 21:3&4.

Answer 6

Not all do that. But some feel the need we need to be 'saved', whether we're atheists or buddhists, etc.

Whatever religion some may follow, you'll find a lot of people (not only Christians) that will try to push their religion onto you. That is why I dislike organized religion...everyone always thinks their right, without being open-minded to other ideas and beliefs.

Answer 7

My impression is that the atheists here are pushing their view.
As Christians, we want to share what we think is important.
Not just our own opinion, but what is really important for life.
It doesn't matter how many other religions there are.
We think we've found the one that makes a difference.
We have an obligation to share that with all humanity.
What you do with that information is your own choice.
But if we don't tell you, it's our fault.

Answer 8

Atheists dont try to convince christians???? Are you new here?

It goes both ways and if you think its just onesided then your bias is way too strong for you to see it from the other side.

Sharing your beliefs isnt the same as pushing them on someone. Noone is holding a gun to you and saying hear me or else.
People get so sensitive and offended soooo easily nowadays that if you even dare to mention religion you are suddenly pushing it down their throats.

Answer 9

by saying your'e going to hell if you don't get saved isn't pushing anything on anyone. You choose to read these things and listen If you don't like it find something else. I do believe what I want. and last time I checked I haven't forced this issue on any one. If you want to see what forced religion is look at what happens in other countries when people want the freedom to choose. In the middle east people have to hide or risk bing killed if they want to go towards christianity.
You all just don't want to hear what God says will happen in the end times. And that's fine, it's your choice. Stop complaining you have your freedom to choose.

Answer 10

There are several pshchology principals at work.

Basically people that join a group want to prove they are right by getting as many people as possible to join (thus validating that they truely are right).

If your truely interested I recommend picking up Dr. Cialdini's book "Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion" which is 10 dollars on amazon.com.

Answer 11

"Athiests don't try to convince christians that there is no God..."

They don't? You haven't been on this site for very long then.

Even a cursory look at the atheists' questions and answers on this site proves that many are written for the very purpose of destroying the faith of the believers.