Is religious conversion moral?

[hernyaccent]

LOL, actually that site is a parody, but there is a real flat earth society that does actually believe that the earth is flat.

I know we were actually discussing it in my sociology class last week. I was just showing that anything you be found on the internet and most is merely opinion.

 

[kdet]

I respect the FES. Therefore the earth is flat. Perhaps you should read and exam what you post as a whole before you post it.

I do, thank you. Lets not take this to a personal level, ok? Lets attempt to keep this civil

 

[hernyaccent]

I do, thank you. Lets not take this to a personal level, ok? Lets attempt to keep this civil

It's about nothing personal.

 

[Thirst_For_Knowledge]

I know we were actually discussing it in my sociology class last week. I was just showing that anything you be found on the internet and most is merely opinion.

LOL, for awhile I actually thought the site my be real, but the whole Springfield paradox thing was just... too unreal.

 

[scraparcs]

Just to throw in another opinion, not every conversion attempt involves preaching on a train or a subway or another public place. Frankly, I think public preachers should use a bit more discernment in their conversion attempts (because most of the time, I'm trying to read a book and they make it too loud!), but that's just me.

Is it immoral? No, as long as it is directed towards reasonable adults (children can be a gray area) and does not involve physical or emotional abuse. Can some forms of conversion be tacky or annoying? Oh, you betcha.

 

[chaoschick13]

It is difficult to scan the area for unfriendly types before begining conversion.

Many is the time that I've been caught in random conversion-ings....(yes, I know that is not a word!)

I do not attempt to convert others to my religion. It is not my place to tell others what to believe. I offer guidance, and information for others to make a reasonable and sound choice that suits their lives best.

Immorality is a hard thing to judge....for me, it would be immoral to try and convert others to my religion. For others, who knows? I'm not sure what goes on in a Christian's mind, or what they may believe.

 

[Thirst_For_Knowledge]

I do not attempt to convert others to my religion. It is not my place to tell others what to believe. I offer guidance, and information for others to make a reasonable and sound choice that suits their lives best.

Exactly.

 

[Rae]

Initially upon reading this, my response was "Of course it is. Sometimes for some of us it is essential to convert to one religion or another."

Then I realized that instead of religious conversion, what Morningstar was actually objecting to was proselytizing. Okay. I object to any proselytizing after I've already said no. Before then, obviously, the proselytizer can't know that I don't want to buy Jesus/Allah/Krishna. Once she/he does, though, he/she had best stop.

I'd love to go at least one day without being asked "Have you found Jesus?"

--Oh, I know what you mean. These are Christians and they can't keep track of their own God? Sheesh, I never go to Christians and ask them if they've found Isis. Then again, I never feel I lose her.

 

[hernyaccent]

Just to throw in another opinion, not every conversion attempt involves preaching on a train or a subway or another public place. Frankly, I think public preachers should use a bit more discernment in their conversion attempts (because most of the time, I'm trying to read a book and they make it too loud!), but that's just me.

Is it immoral? No, as long as it is directed towards reasonable adults (children can be a gray area) and does not involve physical or emotional abuse. Can some forms of conversion be tacky or annoying? Oh, you betcha.

If someone asks you about your faith its' good to share but who tell an uninterested person? Why have the goal to convert? Jesus said to teach his Gospel not try to make them join your man-made religious organization.

Why try to convert period? Christians would get very offended if I tried to convert them into pagans or buddist. So why do it to others?

 

[kdet]

If someone asks you about your faith its' good to share but who tell an uninterested person? Why have the goal to convert? Jesus said to teach his Gospel not try to make them join your man-made religious organization.

Why try to convert period? Christians would get very offended if I tried to convert them into pagans or buddist. So why do it to others?

You keep claiming to know what Jesus said but you must not since He did tell us to go and proclaim the Gospel to all nations. He didn't say for us to wait for them to come to us.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.

Matthew 28:19, 20 RSV

 

[morningstar2651]

Yeah...we've all heard the gospel...and I'm pretty sure "Have you found Jesus?" isn't a part of it.

 

[kdet]

Yeah...we've all heard the gospel...and I'm pretty sure "Have you found Jesus?" isn't a part of it.

Sorry, everyone has not heard the Gospel and one more time....
The Lord clearly tells us we are to go and proclaim the gospel to all nations.

 

[Eve_Sundancer]

Proclaiming is one thing... I don't mind if someone wants to tell me about something they've learned and that makes them happy.

However, someone pushing something at me or shouting to my roommate that she's doomed to hell for her beliefs... I'm not at all pleased with that sort of behavior.

I'm sure Jesus meant for proclaimers to be respectful to others while they were doing their proclaiming. Being respectful doesn't include forcing others or irritating them or insisting that if they just read the Bible one more time they'll magically get it.

 

[morningstar2651]

Well, I live in the United States in a small town that has not one synegouge or mosque...it has over 10 Christian churches -- the nearest being 1 block from my home. It's blasphemy to mow your lawn on a Sunday here and you get threatening looks from neighbors and people driving by if you try to do any yard work.

You can hardly go anywhere in this town without seeing a bible, a cross, or an ichthys. Where am I asked if I've found Jesus? At the grocery store...at wal-mart...even while just walking down the street. It's harassment.

And what if I were the victim of a religious hate crime? The authorities are Christians. In the eyes of some, I got what I deserved because I haven't accepted Jesus into my life. In their eyes, I am the "bad guy".

Dealing With the Police:

Witches should be aware that in reporting a crime they may have to spend time explaining their religion to the responding officer. Harassment is harassment and discrimination is discrimination regardless of the victim's religion. A satisfactory resolution to the problem is what you are after. By taking time to explain Wicca, if necessary, you are more apt to achieve that resolution.

The same may be said of violent crime. If you are injured, the attitude, "you got what you deserved" might be the opinion of the responding officer.

Should there be property damage or theft, be prepared to patiently explain each item and to stress the fact that your athame is NOT used in sacrificing anything. This may sound ridiculous. To most non Craft members a knife is a knife. An athame does not look like a butter knife.

What if your department is anti-Wiccan or Pagan? Here we have a genuine problem with, unfortunately, no single solution.

Should you be subject to harassment, there are steps that can be taken. Information concerning your rights is available on Witchvox. Wicca is a recognized religion. As such it is protected under the First Amendment.

I've heard the gospel...and once was enough.

 

[Thirst_For_Knowledge]

Sorry, everyone has not heard the Gospel and one more time....
The Lord clearly tells us we are to go and proclaim the gospel to all nations.

Proclaiming is one thing. How would you feel though if I came to you and asked if you were interested in my God, claiming that it was the one true God. Then, when you say no, I continue to talk about it, following you around.

Wouldn't you be offended?

 

[Thirst_For_Knowledge]

Well, I live in the United States in a small town that has not one synegouge or mosque...it has over 10 Christian churches -- the nearest being 1 block from my home. It's blasphemy to mow your lawn on a Sunday here and you get threatening looks from neighbors and people driving by if you try to do any yard work.

You can hardly go anywhere in this town without seeing a bible, a cross, or an ichthys. Where am I asked if I've found Jesus? At the grocery store...at wal-mart...even while just walking down the street. It's harassment.

And what if I were the victim of a religious hate crime? The authorities are Christians. In the eyes of some, I got what I deserved because I haven't accepted Jesus into my life. In their eyes, I am the "bad guy".



I've heard the gospel...and once was enough.

I really feel bad for you. I don't think I'd be able to live in a town like this. Ugh.

 

[chaoschick13]

Yes, morningstar and I come from the same town, this place has over 30 churches at last count.

What gets me is that all the old people who attend, and should be worried about their "salvation" and being kind to others decide to spend their time attempting to convert others.

Conversation about beliefs is one thing, being pushy with it is another.

And for goodness sake, stop blessing me already! The sign of the cross will not make me go away!

 

[scraparcs]

If someone asks you about your faith its' good to share but who tell an uninterested person?

That's what I thought for the longest time...then I saw someone who didn't want to set foot in a church convert to Christianity when uninterested. I still don't think it's a good general rule to preach to the uninterested though.

Why have the goal to convert? Jesus said to teach his Gospel not try to make them join your man-made religious organization.

The goal should be to preach the gospel, not get members for your church or whatever.

Why try to convert period? Christians would get very offended if I tried to convert them into pagans or buddist. So why do it to others?

There is the whole Great Commission, Matthew 28:19-20. Also, people like sharing, etc. Some people just have a personality for trying to convert others, I suppose. (Some do better having influence through writing, some through actions, some through helping, etc.)

 

[BarbB]

I think you guys should move to a town you'd be more comfortable in!

Anyway, Christians do not do the converting. God does after Christians make them aware that Jesus is available to anyone. Pay attention to kdet - she knows what she's talking about.

 

[morningstar2651]

I think you guys should move to a town you'd be more comfortable in!

I think that religious discrimination is against the law! In fact...it is against the law.

But...is this seriously your solution to discrimination?

Why should the victim be punished? Do we 'get what we deserve' by not moving from this town?