Why the need to convert people to your believes?

[Rochir]

Hmm, I have been lurking around the catholic forum a bit now, and one thing that struck me there (and no doubt would strike me in other denominational forums as well) is that many people there feel the urgent need to convert other people to their faith, instead of just letting them be and seek communion with their other human beings without the need to view their believes as wrong and bad.

I think this urge to missionise (no present, e.g., in Islam) is one big turn off for many non-christinas AND christians alike.

Why even bother to ASK questions like "How do we convert XXX to our faith"? Why not rather ask "How can we find common ways of sharing our love for our God?"?

 

[Digi]

I cen see what you mean when you say that pushing too much will turn people off. I got a little confused on what you meant by "without the need to view their believes as wrong and bad."
I don't want to respond wrong Could you explain what you meant by that a little more?
I do believe that we need to live a life that shows the love of Christ, letting people see Him through us. Mission work is very important though. Christ is the one and only way to heaven; however, we do need to be gentle when explaining this to someone or trying to explain Gods love to them so that they may be born again. Being filled with the love of Christ, we can't help but tell people and living a Christ-like life isn't the only way to do that. Missions, actually sitting down and talking to someone and explaining the Good News to them or going into a closed country to speak of His love, all part of the great commision, are important.
Reminds me of that Steven Curtis Chapman song, Live out Loud, about not being able to sit still, and shouting His love from the rooftops for all the world to hear!!!

 

[LegomasterJC]

I don't look at it as trying to find a way to CONVIRT someone.
I don't ask that question.
To me it is How can I be a light to them and show them the Love that I know so that they will have it for eternity.
Some do it because they don't want that person to go to hell because they care for them or because they fear it themselves.
Some do it just out of obedience to God.
The motivation should always be Love.

 

[gaweatherford]

Hmm, I have been lurking around the catholic forum a bit now, and one thing that struck me there (and no doubt would strike me in other denominational forums as well) is that many people there feel the urgent need to convert other people to their faith, instead of just letting them be and seek communion with their other human beings without the need to view their believes as wrong and bad.

I think this urge to missionise (no present, e.g., in Islam) is one big turn off for many non-christinas AND christians alike.

Why even bother to ASK questions like "How do we convert XXX to our faith"? Why not rather ask "How can we find common ways of sharing our love for our God?"?

To me it's a matter of "passing it on". Everyone was led to Christ at one time or another through some means. To just contain it would be taking it for granted. Christians should'nt be pushy, but they should "introduce" other people to the life changing events of Christ. After all, "The Great Commission",
given to us by Christ, commands us to pass the word to others, just as it was passed to you.

 

[Rochir]

I cen see what you mean when you say that pushing too much will turn people off. I got a little confused on what you meant by "without the need to view their believes as wrong and bad."
I don't want to respond wrong Could you explain what you meant by that a little more?

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".

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!

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!

 

[LegomasterJC]

Seems like you have the right idea to me as long as it's by Jesus and not another.

 

[JJB]

Rochir,
Love your hedgehog.

Yes, we need to be motivated out of love to share the Good News of Jesus' death and resurrection. I have had many conversations with my catholic brothers and sisters, and many see thier church as the "true church" -- out of their love for me, they try to convince me to become Catholic. But I cannot. It does not mean that we can't work together, nor does it change our status (in my mind anyway) as brothers and sisters in the Lord.

Sometimes the love expressed comes across too earnestly. But that's ok because I know their motives.

 

[-Frank-]

Hmm, I have been lurking around the catholic forum a bit now, and one thing that struck me there (and no doubt would strike me in other denominational forums as well) is that many people there feel the urgent need to convert other people to their faith, instead of just letting them be and seek communion with their other human beings without the need to view their believes as wrong and bad.

Are you referring to 'faith' as denomination or as different belief systems?

I think this urge to missionise (no present, e.g., in Islam) is one big turn off for many non-christinas AND christians alike.

Ah. Answered my question. Nm.

Why even bother to ASK questions like "How do we convert XXX to our faith"? Why not rather ask "How can we find common ways of sharing our love for our God?"?

Because those that are not justified before God cannot work for Him. That would be like God having demons in His service. Christians need to evangelize, but it is not our job to convert. Our job is to witness. Leave the converting to God, because only He can.

 

[GodFlute2]

Why even bother to ASK questions like "How do we convert XXX to our faith"? Why not rather ask "How can we find common ways of sharing our love for our God?"?

I think to many people do ask the first question compaired to the second. I, personally, try and ask the second question.

 

[altya]

I believe it is wrong to try to convert people to our faith, whatever religion it is. The ideal way is to convert people to disciples of Jesus Christ.

Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation.
Mar 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned.

 

[Chief117]

Well, here are my thoughts:

16Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Why even bother to ASK questions like "How do we convert XXX to our faith"? Why not rather ask "How can we find common ways of sharing our love for our God?"?

The first question is one of the most important questions we can ask ourselves as Christians. Evangalizing is one of the purposes we were created, and it is very important to contemplate how to bring each and every person we encounter to Faith in Jesus. Of course, to agree with everyone, one of the most important aspects of working a mission field is to be a living example (a beacon of light and love) to those who see you--to appear blameless and devoid of hypocrisy. They go hand in hand.

I think to many people do ask the first question compaired to the second. I, personally, try and ask the second question.

I, personally, don't like the second question at all. I think too many people--especially in liberal theology--are trying to blur the line and accept each faith as ok for different people. It is such an illogical idea. How can so many different faiths be true and OK for different people? They can't. There is but one true God, and before the End Times, all will know and bow and confess that He is God.

I realize that this is probably not what you meant, but many people ask that same question for that purpose and I think it is dangerous.

 

[Rochir]

Of course, to agree with everyone, one of the most important aspects of working a mission field is to be a living example (a beacon of light and love) to those who see you--to appear blameless and devoid of hypocrisy. They go hand in hand.

I agree with that. if someone "converts" someone without pressure or forcing their believes upon them, but instead by how they live and relate to other humans - I have no problems with that!

I think too many people--especially in liberal theology--are trying to blur the line and accept each faith as ok for different people. It is such an illogical idea. How can so many different faiths be true and OK for different people? They can't.

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?

That is what I, as a Christian, cannot accept. Many different faiths can indeed be ok, because in the end they all come back to the one. To a God who loves us and who can guide our lives if we chose to accept guidance from him/her. and even if we don't, s/he will still be ok with that!

I think we will agree to disagree here

 

[Chief117]

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?

I was here referring to faiths like Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, etc. The culture of today is causing many people to say, "Hey, everyone can believe what they want to believe." They can't all be true, and there is only one God, and He is ours.

AND, I completely agree with you when you specifically talk about denominations within the Christian faith. Now I do draw a line--there is a different between churches and the True Church (the Body of Christ). I do not accept liberal theology or any other doctrine that can be disproved by the Bible (or that is contrary to the teachings therein).

I am borderline on Catholics. I think I have a poor view of exactly how their faith works, but, nonetheless, I do not think their sin warrants a forfeiture of their salvation. I do not want to go into too much detail (I am not sure if it is allowed on this forum), but I think that they will receive salvation just fine.

I definitely have no problem with anyone else's beliefs--and you know that Jesus doesn't either. Whether or not you baptize by submersion or sprinkling, use unleavened or regular bread, raise your hands and dance during worship, etc. These things are not salvational!! And God will equally accept all of these people.

To me we are already on the same page but we're missing each other's point.

The point is though--there is a line. Anyone who believes things like: Jesus resurrection was not physical, they are saved because they were baptized and can now live any life they want to, who twist scripture to condone their lifestyles, who manufacture their own god, who do not believe that Jesus is the Son of God and died for our sins, who have added to or taken away from Scripture, who have changed scripture, etc.

I seriously have doubts of their salvation, and in some cases, I am sure that they do not have it. I will edit this statement if it is not allowed, but this includes Liberal Theology, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Buddhists, Deists, Muslims, Hindus, Polytheists, and Satanists (and any sub-faiths found in any of those). There might be more.

I do not think any less of these people, rather I consider them my mission field and I pray for them every night. May God's truth be heralded from the streets and Christ's body unite to fight the spiritual darkness that is in this world.

 

[Rochir]

The kind of mindset I am objecting to and about which my original question here was can be found in this statement I just found in the Catholic forum:

Islam is heresy, and Mohammed wasn't a prophet. The only way any of them can be saved is through the Catholic Church.

The hybris and the uncaring that is behind such a statement is baffling me! Never would the Christian God endorse such, in my mind. No church or believe system can have all the truths, because God is so vast and unbelievable that no-one should ever claim to know him all! I find the believe that only one faith or church may be correct in how they portray God quite intellectually limiting, and I'm sure God is laughing at statements like that!

 

[mystery4]

We are now coming to a time where Satan is going to start increasing his efforts to prevent people from getting to Heaven because he knows his time is short. The only way according to what the Bible says for us to get to heaven is to "obey God's commandments and remain faithful to Jesus". Rev 14:12 We must also have "holy and godly lives" 2 Pet 3:11

I agree with everyone here on most things. The most important thing in our Christian walk is our relationship with Jesus. We shouldn't concentrate on "converting" people ourselves to God or to a particular "church", because all who are followers of Christ are all part of the same Church anyway. Instead we should reflect God's glory and love to others so we can be made perfect in Him and everyone around us has no choice but to notice and so allow God to reveal Himself to others to allow them the choice to accept or reject God's saving love and grace.

This however is where I differ in my opinion. Just having faith in Jesus is not enough to get us into Heaven, we must also keep all of God's commandments.

Micah 6:8; Mark 12:28-31; Eph 2:4-10; Heb 11:1; James 2: 14-19; Rom 3:21-31; John 14:15, 21; Matt 22:34-40; Phill 2:5-11; Ex 20:1-17; Rom 5:9-11; Rev 14:12; Psalm 69:13

It is important to remember Jesus above all, and when trying to show others the love of Jesus we must show love as we misrepresent what God is all about when we force people to our own beliefs. 1 John (among others throughout the Bible)

But make sure that whatever you do, is biblically sound, if anyone has seen anything in what I"ve written to be opposed to scripture then please show me from scripture itself so I may correct myself and not lead others astray. God Bless

 

[Paid in full]

I am not sure if I am allowed to answer here, but if I am not, the mods can delete my post.

Personally, I will never convert to any religion. However, if you want my advice the best way to convert someone is to be a good person, show some compassion and respect. If I respect someone I am more prone to sharing their beliefs. If someone tells me to repent or burn in hell, how can I respect that?

Good advice!

 

[mystery4]

Well, here are my thoughts:





The first question is one of the most important questions we can ask ourselves as Christians. Evangalizing is one of the purposes we were created, and it is very important to contemplate how to bring each and every person we encounter to Faith in Jesus. Of course, to agree with everyone, one of the most important aspects of working a mission field is to be a living example (a beacon of light and love) to those who see you--to appear blameless and devoid of hypocrisy. They go hand in hand.



I, personally, don't like the second question at all. I think too many people--especially in liberal theology--are trying to blur the line and accept each faith as ok for different people. It is such an illogical idea. How can so many different faiths be true and OK for different people? They can't. There is but one true God, and before the End Times, all will know and bow and confess that He is God.

I realize that this is probably not what you meant, but many people ask that same question for that purpose and I think it is dangerous.

Cheif 117,

I agree with your comment on evangelizing was one of the main purposes we were created. Same with doing good works (Eph 2:10) as that shows others the glory of God. Love is also important (Rom 12; 1 Cor 13:13). So we must show our love of God and Jesus by obeying Him, showing our love to others and leading them to Him.

However what we must remember is not to "convert" them ourselves. Our job is to plant the seeds, its God's job to sow and reap the harvest. We must understand that different people are at different levels of understanding and only have limited light presented to them. How can we expect them to fully understand all that we do, if they haven't yet been exposed to it? God is the only one who has the full knowledge of the level everyone is up to, what they do or do not yet know and the ability to lead them onwards to knowing full truth. That is one reason people from all faiths will be saved, while at the same time, people from all faiths will also be turned away from the kingdom of Heaven.

(2 Tim 2:11-19)

I also reccommend researching how each of the protestant religions came about during the reformations during the reign of Rome. Its a very interesting and enlightening study that will show the differences between the churches now and the churches then. As far as your comment about "before the end times" I believe we are already in the end times. Just have a read of Revelation and Daniel, that shows it.

I now have to go, but I urge you to pray and seek the leading of Jesus in all I have said, remember Him the one who created you, wants to be your friend and is also your Saviour. If anything I have said is unscriptural, disregard it and let me know so I too can not mislead anyone else, and correct my beliefs. Even so, feel free to PM if anyone wants to discuss further what I've mentioned here. God Bless

 

[The Midge]

Hmm, I have been lurking around the catholic forum a bit now, and one thing that struck me there (and no doubt would strike me in other denominational forums as well) is that many people there feel the urgent need to convert other people to their faith, instead of just letting them be and seek communion with their other human beings without the need to view their believes as wrong and bad.

I think this urge to missionise (no present, e.g., in Islam) is one big turn off for many non-christinas AND christians alike.

Why even bother to ASK questions like "How do we convert XXX to our faith"? Why not rather ask "How can we find common ways of sharing our love for our God?"?

The great commision has already been quoted in this thread as well it should. But what many of miss is that Jesus told us to make disciples not converts. What is more we are to make disciples of Christ and not disciples of our particular ministry. The nail has been banged on the head.

There is one problem though with your post Rochir. The Ilsamic concept of God is so different that it would be hard to consider them as the same person. One of us religions is going to be had for defamation of God's character.

 

[wardpossy]

Hmm, I have been lurking around the catholic forum a bit now, and one thing that struck me there (and no doubt would strike me in other denominational forums as well) is that many people there feel the urgent need to convert other people to their faith, instead of just letting them be and seek communion with their other human beings without the need to view their believes as wrong and bad.

I think this urge to missionise (no present, e.g., in Islam) is one big turn off for many non-christinas AND christians alike.

Why even bother to ASK questions like "How do we convert XXX to our faith"? Why not rather ask "How can we find common ways of sharing our love for our God?"?

We as christians know what hell will be like and even though we dont know you God gave us the responsibility to love and care for non christians, and one way we can do this is to try and tell you about what Christ did and how by Gods grace you can be saved and will never have to see hell, Here is a link you can go to...http://www.thechristianman.com/gpage24.html just take a moment and read about hell and think to yourself if you can TRULY say "I don't care if I went Their" Then we as christians should not try to Force you or "bug you" about it, most important, where alot of christians fail is that by the way in which we live and behave should be enough to raise people to ask questions like "why is that person diffrent", then We are living what we are preaching,

Warrior For Christ, Jeff

 

[Christler]

Hi, I usually stay away from the non- christian questions forums, becuase it often times breaks my heart. (like it's doing now). I will share with you what I believe God put on my heart for you. (I know i'll probably make alot of people angry at me with this one, but HERE GOES.) I am not particularly fond of catholicism. I could say alot more about that, but I don't believe that would help get my point across, so I'll leave that alone.

I used to share the same opinion as you do.
I appreciated the precious gift of life so much, I was always seeking ways to get closer to God. I used to feel that those Christians are really shallow minded, and followers of the majority, rather than deep thinkers. I felt that everybody needed to smoke a joint and meditate on how awsome the Creator must be.

Rochir, I did'nt become a Christian by choice. I almost hated Christians, I thought they had some nerve telling me what I needed.
Funny, God knew my heart. God knew that I wanted to find Him.

Well to make a long story short, God granted my request.
Have you ever had to put your foot in your mouth Rochir?
Well I had to.

Ever beliving that The true and living God was acually the God of the Bible only, was alot like believing the Son of God was a human baby lying in a manger. Funny, but it's true.

The Holy Bible is perfect, but it's being taught, and lived out by imperfect people, and they cast a very unpleasent image of Christianity.

Please, just get alone to yourself, and pray to God. Tell Him that your Heart longs after the truth, tell Him that you want to know Him, literally beg Him to intervene in your life, ask him to show himself to you. Then pick up a Holy Bible,and begin to read, I promise you that God will begin to speak to your heart, that book opens itself only to those that use the key, and that key is asking Him to come into your life and reveal himself to you. Otherwise it seems like alot of mans written words. It is like a secret message waiting for you to read, but you have to use your decoder