Is it selfish

[Hannah2000]

Is it selfish to not introduce others to Christ?
Out of mine and my boyfriend's immediate families I think only us and my brother are Christians (but who knows what our parents believe so they could be too). My boyfriend has an older brother but I don't think they're as close as my brother and I, so would it be selfish not to introduce him to Christianity?
He knows what Christianity is, I'm sure he knows the basics of it and so is free to choose as he wishes but if I don't say anything to him about it, is it selfish? It's not like I want him to go to hell but I also don't want to impose my beliefs on him and ruin any relationship we might have when he could potentially be my brother in law.

 

[quatona]

Is it selfish to not introduce others to Christ?
Out of mine and my boyfriend's immediate families I think only us and my brother are Christians (but who knows what our parents believe so they could be too). My boyfriend has an older brother but I don't think they're as close as my brother and I, so would it be selfish not to introduce him to Christianity?
He knows what Christianity is, I'm sure he knows the basics of it and so is free to choose as he wishes but if I don't say anything to him about it, is it selfish? It's not like I want him to go to hell but I also don't want to impose my beliefs on him and ruin any relationship we might have when he could potentially be my brother in law.

Maybe you can ask him if he´s interested in learning about your religious beliefs?

 

[Sarah G]

Pray that the Holy Spirit guide you to the best course of action and perfect opportunity. That's just advice, I can't answer the question.

 

[Hannah2000]

I don't think I'm that friendly with him to even start a conversation like that...

 

[Hannah2000]

I don't think it's in his best interests, I mean yes being Christian should be in everyone's best interests but some people are really anti-religion. Now I don't know where he stands on the matter but I just remembered he's bisexual so he might not take too kindly to it.

 

[quatona]

I don't think I'm that friendly with him to even start a conversation like that...

In this case it seems like bringing it up at the current stage would be ineffective or even counterproductive in most every respect.

 

[quatona]

I don't think it's in his best interests, I mean yes being Christian should be in everyone's best interests but some people are really anti-religion. Now I don't know where he stands on the matter but I just remembered he's bisexual so he might not take too kindly to it.

The most important part in effective personal communication is listening to and getting to know the other person.

 

[SkyWriting]

The most important part in effective personal communication is listening to and getting to know the other person.

This is the most effective witness:
In everything then,
do unto others
as you would have them do unto you.
For this is the essence of the Law and the prophets.

Religion 101

 

[Hannah2000]

I know it is a sin to be selfish so is it selfish to save myself if he hasn't been saved?
Or is it selfish to try and convert someone who isn't interested? I don't know what to do. I don't want to be selfish.

 

[quatona]

I know it is a sin to be selfish so is it selfish to save myself if he hasn't been saved?
Or is it selfish to try and convert someone who isn't interested? I don't know what to do. I don't want to be selfish.

I am afraid that no matter what you do can be considered "selfish" - because in some way it always also serves your own interests ("I want", "I don´t want").
So to me it seems like - if you are determined to start your considerations with the question "Is this selfish?" - you need a more refined concept of "selfishness" first.
Personally, I don´t think we can act "selflessly". There is nothing wrong with considering our own interests - if I were to define "selfish" in a meaningful way, I guess I would say something like:
"Being unaware and/or silent about the part where my interest in the well-being of another person also serves my interests."

 

[quatona]

This is the most effective witness:
In everything then,
do unto others
as you would have them do unto you.
For this is the essence of the Law and the prophets.

Religion 101

I suspect the greatest problem with this is:
In order to follow that advice, we first have to be aware of what we really would others have do unto ourselves.
The fear of being "selfish" tends to prevent us from contemplating on that question exhaustively.

 

[SkyWriting]

I suspect the greatest problem with this is:
In order to follow that advice, we first have to be aware of what we really would others have do unto ourselves. The fear of being "selfish" tends to prevent us from contemplating on that question exhaustively.

I'm strongly aware of the lack of practice. I'm sure people have scores of excuses.
Still....For this is the essence of the Law and the prophets.

 

[SkyWriting]

I know it is a sin to be selfish so is it selfish to save myself if he hasn't been saved?
Or is it selfish to try and convert someone who isn't interested? I don't know what to do. I don't want to be selfish.

Treat other people just as you would wish them to treat you.

 

[Hannah2000]

We are taught that we shouldn't sin but we do because it's natural to humans because of the original sin and sin is what separates us from God, however Jesus' sacrifice cleanses us of our sins but we still must avoid sins even though we have been cleansed from them. I want to avoid sins, I want to be a good person, but it's so frustrating when I don't. We are told we can't live sin free but we should aim to avoid sins and I don't know what to do...

 

[Tolworth John]

I also don't want to impose my beliefs on him

How is asking a question about what someone believes and talking about belief imposing ones belief on someone?
Ask them what and importantly why they believe what they do.
Be prepared to explain why what you believe is reasonable and rational.

 

[Faith Alone 1 Cor 15:1-4]

Is it selfish to not introduce others to Christ?
Out of mine and my boyfriend's immediate families I think only us and my brother are Christians (but who knows what our parents believe so they could be too). My boyfriend has an older brother but I don't think they're as close as my brother and I, so would it be selfish not to introduce him to Christianity?
He knows what Christianity is, I'm sure he knows the basics of it and so is free to choose as he wishes but if I don't say anything to him about it, is it selfish? It's not like I want him to go to hell but I also don't want to impose my beliefs on him and ruin any relationship we might have when he could potentially be my brother in law.

Mark 16:15
It's command from Christ to proclaim gospel to everybody , if you are scared because it's your family , you can ask pastor in your church to try to talk to your parents and invite them to church after .

 

[quatona]

Treat other people just as you would wish them to treat you.

One way I personally do not wish to be treated is: Being thrown abstract/general advice/commands/rules at when I try to solve a personal issue. Ymmv

 

[Hannah2000]

Ask them what and importantly why they believe what they do.

I really don't feel like I'm in a position to do that though because it's my boyfriend's brother and we're not close friends.

 

[Hannah2000]

I spoke to a priest and he said that preaching could ruin the relationship and that everyone's views are their own.

 

[quatona]

I spoke to a priest and he said that preaching could ruin the relationship and that everyone's views are their own.

Sounds like a good answer.
What I am wondering is, though: Isn´t there a way of communicating your beliefs in a way that isn´t preaching? E.g. talking about what your beliefs mean to you, how and why they are important to you, what they help you with etc.?