Is it ethical to impose your beliefs on another?

Question

...Then why does it constantly happen?

My parents didn't force me into any religion whatsoever.

3. to obtrude or thrust (oneself, one's company, etc.) upon others.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/impose

(Do you know what 'ambiguous' means?)

Answer 1

Nope.

Answer 2

I think doctors/pharmacists/nurses etc. should be required to disclose their limitations (whether self-imposed or not) when they apply for a job. If there is something on the job description that they are unable or unwilling to do, then they should not get hired. I do think it is hypocritical of them to impose their will on patients and other doctors by hiding a request by the patient from them. As a metaphor consider: if someone is not able to lift something over 50 pounds, they might still be able to other parts required of a job, but they would go find someone to help them lift if it was necessary; they should not going and leave something in undone (unlifted) in the middle of the floor then HIDE the fact that it is not done from other people who could complete the task. BTW, the doctor or whatever is perfectly fine to learn a specialized version of medicine that does not use certain techniques; how else would their cult/religion get medical care unless they had special doctors trained in those techniques. If those doctors were to apply for a job OUTSIDE their specialized group, however, they should accept their limitations. They might have to get a lesser position or take a lower pay scale because they are limited. If they are so intrusive that they cannot allow other people to get their jobs done as well, then the nut-job belongs in their little commune with the other people like them.

Answer 3

I don't think so.

In the past, it's been claimed that if someone has never been told of God, they wouldn't be penalized or sent to Hell for it, because they never knew.

But then, people tell them. And why would you tell someone something, if it opened up a possibility that they've spend eternity in Hell?

You shouldn't.

I think that it's kind of similar in this case. I don't feel that you should impose beliefs upon anyone. I can understand informing others, and discussing it with them, but I feel that if you're actually able to convince someone easily, it's nothing more than mere manipulation.

I believe that everyone has a set of experiences that they've faced in their lives, and therefore, such experiences shape their future circumstances -- including, but not limited to, belief.

Hence, to tell someone that you think they should "stop" believing what they believe, and "start" believing what you believe, is like saying, "Your life thus far hasn't taught you well enough. I'm going to turn you into me."

In fact, you end up manipulating them. Because in all likelihood, you're not telling them known fact; actually, you're DEFINITELY not telling them known fact, because we don't KNOW the facts, for certain, yet.

And so, to tell them anything about "the miracle of god," or whatever route one takes, is simply relaying and attempting to convince others of our own experiences. And because everyone is biased by our own experiences, nothing we tell them can be 100% accurate.

I feel that you can discuss it, but to outright try to convince them to CHANGE their beliefs, isn't ethically acceptable. That would be like claiming that the experiences that have brought them to their conclusion are meaningless, which implies that their LIFE is meaningless.

And to tell someone they're meaningless, is just mean.

So, now that I've finished the Rant Of The Day, I conclude: No, it's not ethical.

Answer 4

No, i do not think it Ethical.
Why does one do it? good question...Could be because they feel it is good for them, and they are wanting to let others in on it, with well meaning intentions.
Maybe they think of the subject as one that can be debated or bantered about as one may do with sports or many other subjects that come up in everyday conversation.
Their very "personality" may play a large roll in why they would "push" or continually "discuss" their faith.
Just a few, kind, ideas.
I wish it did not happen, as it seems, the very thing they seem to be "trying" to do, backfires and turns people off. Which i would think would be sabotaging their very mission in life!
Some i am sorry to say are simply rude and inconsiderate, which to me indicates they do it for "themselves" more than anyone else.
I simply tell them, i am sorry but this in neither the time or place for this discussion, can you please change the subject. Hope this helps some.

Answer 5

There is a big difference between sharing ones belief and imposing. The difference on how someone interprets what is being shared is important too. Some are easily offended for all the wrong reasons.

Answer 6

Of course it is... In some cases.

Oh, unless you count the battle against fascism as "unethical".

By saying "We're going to stop you from killing the Jews" or whatever, we are imposing OUR values on another culture.

So you're calling the Second World War, the liberation of Poland, the defeat of the Nazis "unethical"?

Answer 7

One adult to another, unasked and unwanted, it is unethical. Freedom of thought is even more essential to liberty of the human spirit than are the assorted freedoms guaranteed its citizens by the U.S. Constitution. Proselytizing is the worst of impositions.

Of course, missionary and evangelical religions of every stripe will insist that not only is it ethical, it is mandatory for every member of their religion. Thank the gods I live in a country that, reluctantly and with much foot-dragging, continues to uphold the spiritual freedom that so many of our ancestors travelled here to seek...even if they only meant to achieve the "freedom" to impose their own mental strait-jackets upon every one.

Now, by the lights of most religions, even if their beliefs are not so evangelical, members of the religion are expected or exhorted or commanded to raise their children in that religion. Which can lead, in the U.S.A., to teen-aged children rebelling against their birth religion before they attain their majority. And only an emancipated minor (in essence, one who has undertaken her or his own finances and successfully separated from parental home & support) has a clear legal complaint against parents who attempt to impose their beliefs upon him or her.

Answer 8

Seriously, in this culture, how do you "impose" your beliefs? Is simply stating them somehow imposition? Or is it the content of the belief system that categorizes it? Is it only imposing if your state something the other person disagrees with? If that's true - then how is it that the one stating the opposing view is immune to the charge? How is "imposing your beliefs" supposed to be understood.

I'm fairly new here - still trying to figure out the rules.

Answer 9

impose? Is this the same as sharing... like talking about it? I was at a bus stop one day and a Jehovah's Witness just came up to me and started talking to me about what she believes... she didn't care who I was or what I believe in... all she did was say "Hi I am (I forgot her name)!" (I introduced myself) then she went on... opened her Bible and said "Look here it says, 'We are going to inherit the earth' and aren't you happy about that?"

Okay, time out! NO context ... I have read the Bible over and over and there are conditions in inheriting the earth and there are more prophecies you can't just jump in and read a passage and interpret it the way you want to just cause you can... she didn't even want me to ask questions or anything... that was rude and unethical.

I think it is okay to talk and share your beliefs ... just not force it and talk about it when others don't want to.

Answer 10

Actually it is impossible to impose beliefs on anyone. Everyone has a will and it cannot be violated either by God or satan. You must be opened to something or you would not be vunerable to imposition. Pray that the Holy Spirit of God leads you to truth and discernment. Then only accept what you know fits. It may take a daily routine of discipline to get to the point that you can tell truth from the disception, and the real from the counterfit, but with constant alignment with the Spririt of Truth, you will get there.

Answer 11

no, I don't think so. I hate when some people dictate their beliefs on others. I don't think there's anything wrong with parents forcing their children into a religion when they're young, I mean if you're really religious you'd obviously want your children to follow that same spiritual path.

there isn't anything wrong with sharing your beliefs with others though, there's a big difference between sharing your beliefs and forcing them on others