Converting believers.

[Snowbear]

Doesn't everyone believe their religion is true? If you don't, what's the point of being a member of the church?

No. I see many, many hypocrites practicing "my" religion.
I'm not a member of any church.
I don't follow a church or religion, but God.

Since every religion is slightly different, believing that your church is true is pretty much the same as believing its the only 'true' religion.

Not necessarily. I've known folks that attend different (christian) churches and while considering them "true," don't consider them the only true churches.
I think all religions are "true" to the folks that practice them. But as I've said before on this forum ~ I don't believe that just because folks practice (i.e. go through the motions of) a religion, they *know* God.

 

[greatcalgarian]

I'm sure I'd be horrible at converting people if I tried. Thank God I don't.... But it has been my experience to listen and observe that most conversions in other countries have not been because they understand the complexities of legalistic dogma. But rather simple things like caring for the poor, showing love, unselfish acts, etc.

~Victor

In a poor society (or nations) where the daily struggle is for survival, a show of caring, love, unselfish acts, helping hands etc will win conversion instantly.

It is in the advanced rich society, that most of the survival requirements are no longer needed, where people have too much idle time on their mind that they started to debate religious doctrines, they started to try to say that their belief is the correct one etc. (to be sarcastic, that applies to most members, theist and atheist alike, on this forum:jiggy: :biglaugh: )

It is also human nature to want to "win", or to have others to agree with what they believe. This inborn instinct (actually I called this the evolution drive property of survival) will then drive an individual to want to make others to concur with their belief.

 

[jeffrey]

Loser, I totally agree. God has directed me to the Catholics, but not my wife. She feels Christ wants her to hold on to her Wiccan beliefs, or at least some of them. Like her love for nature and animals. If there is a stray cat, it shows up at our door. I will never tell her to believe something that goes against what Christ tells her.

 

[Snowbear]

Loser, I totally agree. God has directed me to the Catholics, but not my wife. She feels Christ wants her to hold on to her Wiccan beliefs, or at least some of them. Like her love for nature and animals. If there is a stray cat, it shows up at our door. I will never tell her to believe something that goes against what Christ tells her.

I think Christ wants me to hold on to my own love for nature and animals as well, though I don't think anyone has to be a wiccan or pagan to do that. Shoot.... I was an atheist and still loved nature and animals... Most recently the discovery of the incredible variety of the world in the oceans

I guess what I'm saying.... no matter what the religion, I don't think Christ would ever begrudge anyone loving His Creation



But no matter what religion is the right one to "practice", I still believe that Christ is my Savior

 

[jeffrey]

Loser, I owe you some frubals when I can pass more out in about 6 hours. Very well stated.

 

[may]

In a poor society (or nations) where the daily struggle is for survival, a show of caring, love, unselfish acts, helping hands etc will win conversion instantly.

It is in the advanced rich society, that most of the survival requirements are no longer needed, where people have too much idle time on their mind that they started to debate religious doctrines, they started to try to say that their belief is the correct one etc. (to be sarcastic, that applies to most members, theist and atheist alike, on this forum:jiggy: :biglaugh: )

It is also human nature to want to "win", or to have others to agree with what they believe. This inborn instinct (actually I called this the evolution drive property of survival) will then drive an individual to want to make others to concur with their belief.

And this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come ....matthew 24;14 the GOOD NEWS is for a witness to the nations and then the end will come ." the end of what" the end of manmade goverments . rich or poor will benefit when Gods heavenly kingdom goverment takes over the goverments of man

And in the days of those kings (human goverments)the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be brought to ruin. And the kingdom itself will not be passed on to any other people. It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms,(manmade goverments) and it itself will stand to times indefinite daniel 2;44 this heavenly goverment with Jesus christ as its king is the only goverment that will sort the problems out in the world rich or poor will benifit .but its a case of do we recognize this heavenly kingdom and its king jesus christ. this kingdom was set up in the heavens in 1914 and is ready to go into action to put an end to manmade goverments for good .
Also, in all the nations the good news has to be preached first mark 13;10


(Revelation 14:6) And I saw another angel flying in midheaven, and he had everlasting good news to declare as glad tidings to those who dwell on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people

 

[michel]

I think Christ wants me to hold on to my own love for nature and animals as well, though I don't think anyone has to be a wiccan or pagan to do that. Shoot.... I was an atheist and still loved nature and animals... Most recently the discovery of the incredible variety of the world in the oceans

I guess what I'm saying.... no matter what the religion, I don't think Christ would ever begrudge anyone loving His Creation



But no matter what religion is the right one to "practice", I still believe that Christ is my Savior

Lovely post; I would add that I believe Christ will accept anyone from any religion, or lack of religion, when the time comes, just for a short "Oops, I am sorry".

 

[jeffrey]

Lovely post; I would add that I believe Christ will accept anyone from any religion, or lack of religion, when the time comes, just for a short "Oops, I am sorry".

Even Britney Spears? The song 'Oops, I did it again!'
came to mind!

Michel, I totally agree. (makes mental note to self of who next to frubal when I get more to give..)​

 

[jeffrey]

And Michel, let me add, that when those pearly gates are opened to you and that time as come for you to be with God, I think you would make a great Ambassador, relieving St. Peter of his job of greeting new arrivals when he's on vacation! (holiday to you Brits!)

 

[SoyLeche]

Now, back on track. It seems to me that it would be much more productive to try and convert people that have no religion then one's that, even according to you, have already been 'saved'. By attempting to convert someone that is already saved seems to me is showing more interest in trying to increase membership (revenue) then trying to actually 'save' a person's soul. But that's just my opinion.

Actually, I don't put other Christians on a different footing from a tribe in New Guinea that has never heard of Christ. I'd share the message with either, and I don't think that either one is necesarily going to Hell if I don't.

 

[michel]

And Michel, let me add, that when those pearly gates are opened to you and that time as come for you to be with God, I think you would make a great Ambassador, relieving St. Peter of his job of greeting new arrivals when he's on vacation! (holiday to you Brits!)

I think you have more faith than I about my destination...........

Actually, I don't put other Christians on a different footing from a tribe in New Guinea that has never heard of Christ. I'd share the message with either, and I don't think that either one is necesarily going to Hell if I don't.

Well said ! This is more of what we need; open-mindedness. I think it so sad when followers of one particular faith think they will be the only ones to be 'accepted'.:bounce

 

[Katzpur]

Well, Kat, I disagree. There are many 'true' religions. I know what God tells me in my heart. I know that Victor Believes what God tells him in his heart. I know michel, and Dawny and Net Doc and many more believe in what God has told them in their heart, and if you where correct, I'm SURE God would told us to follow a different path. Continued....

How can a half dozen denominations, each teaching slightly (or drastically) different doctrines all be teachings true doctrines, Jeff? It's just not mathematically possible. I'm not saying that if a religion is not 100% true, it's 100% false, but it is a fact that the Roman Catholic Church considers itself to be "the true Church." And I personally admire that in them.

 

[Green Gaia]

Doesn't everyone believe their religion is true? If you don't, what's the point of being a member of the church? Since every religion is slightly different, believing that your church is true is pretty much the same as believing its the only 'true' religion.

I don't agree. I believe my religion is true for me, but I cannot say what may speak to another. I believe that every religion contains truths about who we are, why we are here and how we ought to live with ourselves and others. I do not believe in only one "true" universal religion for everyone, even my own.

 

[jeffrey]

I don't agree. I believe my religion is true for me, but I cannot say what may speak to another. I believe that every religion contains truths about who we are, why we are here and how we ought to live with ourselves and others. I do not believe in only one "true" universal religion for everyone, even my own.

Well said! :clap

 

[jeffrey]

Kat, no one church does teach 100% God's teachings. Look at the problems the Catholic church has. Look at the way the Mormon church treated blacks for over 100 years including your prophets and B. Young himself. There is no way you can make me believe that came from God. ALL churches have their problems to iron out, and none of them are perfect. True church? There ain't one.

 

[SoyLeche]

I don't agree. I believe my religion is true for me, but I cannot say what may speak to another. I believe that every religion contains truths about who we are, why we are here and how we ought to live with ourselves and others. I do not believe in only one "true" universal religion for everyone, even my own.

I can't accept that all truth is subjective though. Your belief system may tell you, for example, that it is wrong to eat meat. Someone elses may say that it is okay to eat meat. These sorts of beliefs about what is true can be somewhat subjective.

However, take something like the nature of God. My church teaches that God has a body of flesh and bones. Others here will tell you that he does not. Logically, (A) and (Not A) cannot both be true.

 

[Green Gaia]

I can't accept that all truth is subjective though. Your belief system may tell you, for example, that it is wrong to eat meat. Someone elses may say that it is okay to eat meat. These sorts of beliefs about what is true can be somewhat subjective.

However, take something like the nature of God. My church teaches that God has a body of flesh and bones. Others here will tell you that he does not. Logically, (A) and (Not A) cannot both be true.

The things that are often differences in religions and denominations are things that we cannot know 100% for sure, at least not in this lifetime. We call them "truths," but they cannot be proven outside of holy texts.

 

[SoyLeche]

The things that are often differences in religions and denominations are things that we cannot know 100% for sure, at least not in this lifetime. We call them "truths," but they cannot be proven outside of holy texts.

And, yet, they are things that are either true or false.

 

[Green Gaia]

And, yet, they are things that are either true or false.

Yes, but we can't prove which things are true and which are false, so calling one religion the only 100% true religion and all others false, seems quite presumptuous to me.

 

[SoyLeche]

Yes, but we can't prove which things are true and which are false, so calling one religion the only 100% true religion and all others false, seems quite presumptuous to me.

I didn't say I could prove it. I said I could believe it.