Why the need to convert people to your believes?

[SumTinWong]

Well, what I have gathered from the catholic board here, is that some people view the believes e.g. a protestant or a buddist or a baptist has as wreong and thus they see the need to bring him "into the church" for his salvation. my problem lies in their assumption (and that does go for many other chirstina denominations as well) that only their own faith can make people happy and "saved".

Yeah that bothers me as well. I usually put people that I feel are trying to "evangelize" me on ignore, or I just tell them to shut up, in the nicest way I can. More than once I have read over there that "we" need to convert to their church. Not a chance.

The same goes for people in my own church who think that because someone is Catholic they are not Christian. I try to show them the error of that logic, and some have softened on that view. Unfortunatley there are the church militant in every denomination that feels that they have the "fullness of the truth", and they are mostly ignored by me.

To me, God is so much larger and so much more loving and encompassing - to him it doesn't matter if you say certain words or kneel or be baptised at brith or as an adult as long as you believe in him!

If you have a Bible read the story of the jailer in Acts 16. "How can I be saved?", was his question. The answer was alot more simple than it is made to be today. I would do a word study on the answer that Paul gave him.

Showing others your convictions by example and living your faith is one thing (and quite a noble endeavor by itself). but to telkl someone else "Either you become catholic/baptist/protestant/mormon ect or you'll go to hell and God won't love you any longer" is bogus and really one of the biggest drawbacks organized Christianity has in my mind!

There will be no Baptists, Catholics, Orthodox, protestants, etc.. in heaven. Just followers of the Christ (the Messiah). It matters not where you worship, but whom you worship, in spirit and in truth.

What is pathetic is we have protestants trying to convert Catholcis to protestantism. We have Catholics trying the opposite. We have protestants and Catholics trying to evangelize Orthodox Christians, etc... All this time there are people out there with a real hunger for God, and they die in droves.

Go out and "make disciples" was the order, He said nothing about taking what is already His and shuffeling it around to other denominations.

Even though I share your distaste for this sort of practice I am a Judeo Christian follower of the Christ who himself thinks that there is only one way to God, through Jesus. This is after a lifetime of denial.

 

[bloodofthelamb12]

Others have likely answered your question better than I can, but still I'd like to try.

Let's suppose that you and your friends met up for a night on the town, and you were the only one who hadn't gotten wasted. Now your friends aren't going to want anyone driving them home or telling them what to do, but you're not likely to let them drive when they're falling down drunk, right?
As Christians, we see this life for what it is; a short, pleasant path with an long, unpleasant end. We strive also to see men as God sees them; inheritors of their fathers' debts, and debtors in their own rite, as well. We believe that when Adam sinned, he literally indebted Himself to the God who held ownership of all that Adam had or was. Adam, thus indebted, ultimately surrendered his life to the One who'd given it from the first. We believe that all Adam's children inherit his debt, and expand it by their own offenses against God; however, we also believe that the Lord of Heaven so loved Adam and his children that He had a plan by which to save them.
We believe that the God of ten-thousand galaxies and ten trillion stars, the unknowable God of eternity's expanse, the unseen Lord of Heaven and Earth, humbled Himself to the frame of a frail, mortal Man. So humbled, God was at long last 'knowable' to the fallen sons of Adam; He knew what it was to be hungry, to weep, to sweat, to shiver, to laugh, to run... However, we also believe that even though He'd already so humbly wrapped Himself in the mantle of human flesh, God humbled Himself even further, becoming like us even unto death. And not the death of a noble king or that of a mighty warrior; but to a death reserved for the very cruelest of thieves, who rob men of their lives. God did not merely live as a Righteous Holy-Man, but suffered the undeserved ignobility of a murderer's cross. We believe that when God died, He counted His death to Adam's account, and ours; for He who had much offered it on behalf of him who had nothing, not even his life.
We evangelize not merely for our religion's sake, but for the sake of those to whom we speak. For if what we believe is true, what hope has any man besides what is found in Christ? Allah offered no payment for Adam's debt, therefore no reason exists for a Muslim to share his faith with his fellowman. Hindus believe that all of us and not just Christ, are god in his entirety, from the Ghandis to the Hitlers; why evangelize to god, then? Buddhists believe that life is a curse to be shaken in favor of the blessing of freedom from cyclic rebirths in the state of Nirvana (nonexistence); why bother trying to evangelize when we get another chance, after all?
Given our beliefs, we have no choice but to share the Gospel. To do otherwise implies either a lack of faith or an absolute indifference to the lives of our fellowman.
I hope you see where I'm coming from at least.


God bless,
Caleb

 

[TheMainException]

Good question.....I think that everyone needs to come to Jesus and be a follower of him....butI also believe that saving as many people as you can in one day or meeting a quota is so very wrong....

 

[mjiracek]

Well i believe you should be the ambassadors to the world that Christ called you to be. That means you always represent him. HTere for you are always in someway sharing the gospel. If people cant under stand why we do it, well its because our god told us to. Thats it. You wouldnt judge a sales man for knocking on doors. HEs doing what he is supposed to be doing. Just like christians are do their jobs. Now, you may not like the methods but that doesnt negate the purpose

 

[Sharky]

Why we try to convert people to christianity.


1. To save them from hell.

2. Sin will drag you to hell.

3. If you end up in hell, there is absolutely positively no way out.

4. No matter how much you'll think you'll enjoy hell, you will wish you'd believe and repent the second you taste it.

5. I love people and i don't want anyone to perish even if they are my worst enemy. God offers us eternity in heaven with Him. All we want is you to believe and come into heaven when you die.

6. If you get 'turned off' and die in your sins, it's like you sleeping inside a burning house, it's ready to collapse on you and people are trying to rescue you and you tell them to get lost. That's just foolishness.

Don't let pride get in the way. Christians aren't doing it for money or for some religion service. They're trying to tell you to stay away from hell.

 

[made_of_asp]

-

 

[goldenviolet]

because God calls you His child, and His children need to act like His children.... like any parent you get loved, taught, scolded, even kicked out..... that's how we live on this earth with our family...... we include you too.

 

[crossrunner]

Yeah that bothers me as well. I usually put people that I feel are trying to "evangelize" me on ignore, or I just tell them to shut up, in the nicest way I can. More than once I have read over there that "we" need to convert to their church. Not a chance.

The same goes for people in my own church who think that because someone is Catholic they are not Christian. I try to show them the error of that logic, and some have softened on that view. Unfortunatley there are the church militant in every denomination that feels that they have the "fullness of the truth", and they are mostly ignored by me.


If you have a Bible read the story of the jailer in Acts 16. "How can I be saved?", was his question. The answer was alot more simple than it is made to be today. I would do a word study on the answer that Paul gave him.


There will be no Baptists, Catholics, Orthodox, protestants, etc.. in heaven. Just followers of the Christ (the Messiah). It matters not where you worship, but whom you worship, in spirit and in truth.

What is pathetic is we have protestants trying to convert Catholcis to protestantism. We have Catholics trying the opposite. We have protestants and Catholics trying to evangelize Orthodox Christians, etc... All this time there are people out there with a real hunger for God, and they die in droves.

Go out and "make disciples" was the order, He said nothing about taking what is already His and shuffeling it around to other denominations.

Even though I share your distaste for this sort of practice I am a Judeo Christian follower of the Christ who himself thinks that there is only one way to God, through Jesus. This is after a lifetime of denial.

I couldn't agree with you more!!

I would have rep'ed you but I have to spread more reps before repping you again!

 

[searle29678]

In my opinion, I think it's hard for some (not all) Christians to understand why someone wouldn't want to come to believe in Christ. I definately have an issue myself with other Christians who instead of showing a Christ like example badger you with "You NEED to come to church. You will go to hell if you aren't saved." All those things are true from a Christian perspective, but why would a non-Christian want to come to Christ if they are placed in fear by threats of hell and high water and being pounced on by a whole congregation if they did attend a church service? The best way to "convert" someone is to show them how a Christian lives....we can be an example to coworkers, friends, family members, etc... A lot of people have to see God at work in someone's life before they are willing to come to Him for redemption and forgiveness. Anyone can evangelize. Anyone can quote scripture. Not everyone can lead someone to Christ simply by being there and being an example and letting someone make up their own mind by the evidence of God's work in your life. Non Christians (some, not all) are turned off by being bombarded with the "don't do this, don't do that, you need to do this, the Bible says that" It looks like a bunch of rules and regulations peppered with a few "God loves you"'s. I know that Christians have the best of intentions and are simply trying to spread God's word, but it starts to sound a little like your mom telling you to clean your room over and over again. Before I became a Christian my now mother in law was always giving me the "sermon." " Your life would be better if you would get saved. You need to go to church. Ain't nothin gonna go right till you go to church." Then she would try the friendly approach. "God loves you, he wants what is best for you, come to church" She would give me scriptures to read and she was always telling me about God's love for me. It didn't work. Then I went to work at a manufacturing plant and a lady that worked there didn't have to say a word to me before I knew she belonged to God. It was like a light coming from her. She didn't have to evangelize with words at all, God drew me to her and let me see what he wanted me to see when I was ready and not a minute before. I asked her about the gospel, she didn't have to preach it to me. I saw God at work in her life and heart. Shortly thereafter, I got saved and baptized and joined a church. We can introduce someone to the gospel, they can watch it on TV....but you can lead a horse to water, you can't make him drink. People have to come to Christ when they are ready and you can't make them ready with all the words in the Bible, they have to be open to it.
As far as other denominations go, I have almost gotten to the point where I don't even acknowledge it. Denominations are differences in religion. Religion=habits and rituals that differentiate you from another church. I am a Christian. I go by what the Bible says to do, not 1000 years of what someone else says to do. It's ridiculous that within ourselves we discriminate against other churches and ways of doing things. And we wonder why we can't "convert" everyone over to Christ. The best way to evangelize is to introduce yourself as a Christian and live like you are one.

 

[RapturedToday]

I would think an individual would want unsaved people to come to know Christ instead of trying to convert them to the religion they practice. The religion seems to be more important than Christ himself for the religious person trying to convert another. To me, the greatest gift would be helping someone accept Jesus in to there hearts and then find what ever denomination that God wishes them to be apart of. I think only Jesus can restore his church.

 

[goldenviolet]

Yeah that bothers me as well. I usually put people that I feel are trying to "evangelize" me on ignore, or I just tell them to shut up, in the nicest way I can. More than once I have read over there that "we" need to convert to their church. Not a chance.

The same goes for people in my own church who think that because someone is Catholic they are not Christian. I try to show them the error of that logic, and some have softened on that view. Unfortunatley there are the church militant in every denomination that feels that they have the "fullness of the truth", and they are mostly ignored by me.


If you have a Bible read the story of the jailer in Acts 16. "How can I be saved?", was his question. The answer was alot more simple than it is made to be today. I would do a word study on the answer that Paul gave him.


There will be no Baptists, Catholics, Orthodox, protestants, etc.. in heaven. Just followers of the Christ (the Messiah). It matters not where you worship, but whom you worship, in spirit and in truth.

What is pathetic is we have protestants trying to convert Catholcis to protestantism. We have Catholics trying the opposite. We have protestants and Catholics trying to evangelize Orthodox Christians, etc... All this time there are people out there with a real hunger for God, and they die in droves.

Go out and "make disciples" was the order, He said nothing about taking what is already His and shuffeling it around to other denominations.

Even though I share your distaste for this sort of practice I am a Judeo Christian follower of the Christ who himself thinks that there is only one way to God, through Jesus. This is after a lifetime of denial.

I couldn't agree with you more!!

I would have rep'ed you but I have to spread more reps before repping you again!

i have an interresting question. you have ask this qustion on an open forum, in a way aren't you inviting debate, or preaching? this post apprears that you are getting a kick out of it.

and i have a little comment...
not all christians believe in witnessing to someone who already has made the choice to beleve what they want. instead they believe in shining by deed and spirit. when the fisrt question was asked, i answered beause you are God's child too. but if we are talking about forcing personal beliefs.... i'm one one these chritians in my comment. i'm just a seed, not the Savior. dee

 

[Sketcher]

I believe there is a hell and only one way out of it. Why would I want people to go to hell? I need to tell them the Good News that there is a way out, Jesus Christ.

Now here I must strongly disagree with you. And it is exactly my point about the h so christian need to convert others - WHY do you think an immensely caring, grand and wise God would be so pety and limited as to only acept one particular kind of believe?

If what you say about God is true, He wasted His time coming down to this pit of a planet, and getting rejected, spat on, beaten, scourged, and crucified. Why not just point somebody to Bhudda instead? If there are so many ways to God, why would He go out of His way to make a way to Him that was so painful? It would have been needless.

 

[goldenviolet]

If what you say about God is true, He wasted His time coming down to this pit of a planet, and getting rejected, spat on, beaten, scourged, and crucified. Why not just point somebody to Bhudda instead? If there are so many ways to God, why would He go out of His way to make a way to Him that was so painful? It would have been needless.

there is alot to be said here... i'll pick one: God didn't waste His time. Jesus didn't waste His breath. alot of us listened.

 

[woman.at.the.well]

Christians try to convert people because as the Newsboys would say/sing "they don't serve breakfast in hell," and because we care about where people go on the otherside.

Although I don't agree with hounding people, I do believe we should set a good Christ-like example and they will naturally be drawn to Him - not us or our beliefs or our made up doctrine - as it should be.

 

[Oceansoul]

I believe there is a hell and only one way out of it. Why would I want people to go to hell? I need to tell them the Good News that there is a way out, Jesus Christ.


If what you say about God is true, He wasted His time coming down to this pit of a planet, and getting rejected, spat on, beaten, scourged, and crucified. Why not just point somebody to Bhudda instead? If there are so many ways to God, why would He go out of His way to make a way to Him that was so painful? It would have been needless.

Thats if u believe Jesus was god at all.

What if he was just a philosopher not the son of god?
Not to insult ur faith but i personaly believe he had some good advice, Love ur neighbour and all that, but i don't believe he was the son of God.

 

[Sketcher]

Thats if u believe Jesus was god at all.

And I do, so that is why I believe He is the only way to Heaven.

What if he was just a philosopher not the son of god?
Not to insult ur faith but i personaly believe he had some good advice, Love ur neighbour and all that, but i don't believe he was the son of God.

If He was only a philosopher, then He would not have heard my prayers to Him. If He was only a philosopher, then the countless martyrs died for nothing. If He was only a philosopher, Christians are wasting their lives by being good and denying the pleasures of sin. Also, He did miracles - mere philosophers don't have the power to heal the blind or raise the dead.

 

[Oceansoul]

And I do, so that is why I believe He is the only way to Heaven.


If He was only a philosopher, then He would not have heard my prayers to Him. If He was only a philosopher, then the countless martyrs died for nothing. If He was only a philosopher, Christians are wasting their lives by being good and denying the pleasures of sin. Also, He did miracles - mere philosophers don't have the power to heal the blind or raise the dead.

again if you believe that he could do those things. You weren't there so how do you know?

We had this argument in My philosophy class. My inner communist came out then will try to subdue her now. .... could go into a total marx rant but won't.

Don't you think making people believe in something because if they don't their suffer for all eternity is wrong. It's like saying you will say jesus is the son of god or I'm going to torture for all eternity? what about a truely good atheist. they don't belive in God but have done more good for people then a certain christian. Does that mean they have to suffer ?

 

[Sketcher]

again if you believe that he could do those things. You weren't there so how do you know?

Again, He has answered my prayers. God has personally confirmed it in my life that He is who the Bible says He is and what the Bible says is true.

Don't you think making people believe in something because if they don't their suffer for all eternity is wrong. It's like saying you will say jesus is the son of god or I'm going to torture for all eternity? what about a truely good atheist. they don't belive in God but have done more good for people then a certain christian. Does that mean they have to suffer ?

Problem is, I'm not going to torture them. It's not my job to torture people in hell, or even get them there faster. It's my job to keep them from going to hell in the first place. Rather than "Do this or I'll pull the trigger," it's "Watch out, you're headed for that cliff."

 

[Rebell]

Say, you have a neighbour who has cancer. You know the medicine. Wouldn't you tell him?
That's the same with christians and evangelism. I didn't see the catholic boards, but I don't think it's right to push people and their religion. If you're a Christian and you want to say to people that their religion is wrong I don't think it's a very clever idea! We also don't like it when people say: ''your religion is wrong, it's bananas!''

When we bring people to christ, we safe them. And we want to safe them as much as you would want to give the medicine to your neighbour!

Rebell

 

[Redneck Crow]

My belief on this differs from many Christians.

I haven't met a person yet who has not heard of Jesus Christ or Christianity. I make myself availiable to anyone who has a question about the faith. I am ready to tell of my own personal experience. I will address a mistaken belief about Christianity if I see it.

But I am not here on this earth to force feed people and browbeat them into accepting Christ. I respect the freewill that God gave each individual to choose Him or not. God loved us enough to give us the choice to seek to be within His will or to reject Him. He does not want slaves in a cage, He wants people who choose to be in relationship with Him.

Christ told his disciples that when people don't want to hear the message to shake the dust off of their sandals and keep stepping. Consider the wisdom of this instruction. If you hammer at someone who is resisting God's will, you make them more resistant. They will seek understanding if when they are ready, if they are ever ready.

Be willing and available. God never forced anyone to love Him. Neither should we try to.