Commanded to do my best to see that conversions happen. The specifics depend on the situation.
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How important is it to gain converts?
- Thread starter TJ73
- Start date
I can agree with that.
I don't go around trying convert others.
If asked, I'll explain my beliefs.
What they do with it is up to them.
let me first say I am not trying to provoke anger only thought:rainbow1:
That said, was Jesus(PBUH) ever recorded saying that? Did he say anything along the lines of try your best to get others to convert? "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature"
Preach can mean deliver but can also be defined to urge acceptance. So I think I answered that one,lol. I guess it it how you define it.:rainbow1:
No worries, I am slow to take offense
Matt 28:19
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations..."
I think you are wonderful contributor. Your questions have often provoked me to analyze mmy own thoughts,beliefes and knowledge.
Dear Dallas: I find that your answer to this post is both, at once, provacative and insightful, and best answers the post.
IMO, each peson who has "faith" should respect (their) faith and NOT proselytize his or her beliefs upon another, as (they) may well have their own faith. This is both disrespectful and uncalled for. Each peson is allowed to enjoy his or her faith, without interference, mispresentations and a selfish attempt to be converted by someone to "just what (they) believe in". A rather selfish agenda, if you will.
I, for example, would be very difficult to "convert". My head would turn around, 360 degrees, I would spew forth venom, puke and profane language, my bed would levitate --- and those who attempted to convert me may well find themselves "downstairs" with the lawyers and politicians. who are now shoveling coal under the watch of "Old Harry" --- (sorry for the metaphor) --- I meant the Prince of Darkness".
The point is: IF you have your own faith, how NICE for you. KEEP IT TO YOURSELF and quit bothering others, whom cling stronly to THEIR OWN faith and don't need your nonsense.
jimdand
IMO, each peson who has "faith" should respect (their) faith and NOT proselytize his or her beliefs upon another, as (they) may well have their own faith. This is both disrespectful and uncalled for. Each peson is allowed to enjoy his or her faith, without interference, mispresentations and a selfish attempt to be converted by someone to "just what (they) believe in". A rather selfish agenda, if you will.
I, for example, would be very difficult to "convert". My head would turn around, 360 degrees, I would spew forth venom, puke and profane language, my bed would levitate --- and those who attempted to convert me may well find themselves "downstairs" with the lawyers and politicians. who are now shoveling coal under the watch of "Old Harry" --- (sorry for the metaphor) --- I meant the Prince of Darkness".
The point is: IF you have your own faith, how NICE for you. KEEP IT TO YOURSELF and quit bothering others, whom cling stronly to THEIR OWN faith and don't need your nonsense.
jimdand
Dear Dallas: Thank you for providing the most elucidative answer to this post.
Proselytism is uncalled for and, at once, disrespectul.
One's faith belongs to that person and should not be interfered with. Proselytism belongs to those who call for others to "be just like they". Ridiculous.
I don't think that "those" are the teachings of the 12 great Prophets. Only to those who cling to the mis-guided allegiance to "their" "ministers" and those charlatans who are nothing about "what money" can be brought into "their" ministry. After all is said and done -- it's how much you can contribute to (their) coffers.
My ---- how commercial "religion" has become. I think I'll open up a TAX-FREE store-front Church, so that I, too, can prosper.
jimdand
Proselytism is uncalled for and, at once, disrespectul.
One's faith belongs to that person and should not be interfered with. Proselytism belongs to those who call for others to "be just like they". Ridiculous.
I don't think that "those" are the teachings of the 12 great Prophets. Only to those who cling to the mis-guided allegiance to "their" "ministers" and those charlatans who are nothing about "what money" can be brought into "their" ministry. After all is said and done -- it's how much you can contribute to (their) coffers.
My ---- how commercial "religion" has become. I think I'll open up a TAX-FREE store-front Church, so that I, too, can prosper.
jimdand
dallas1125
Covert Operative
To me though, there is a difference between attempting to convert and discussing religion. Cant we all share our nonsense?
dyanaprajna2011
Dharmapala
Whenever someone asks me something about Buddhism, I am always happy to share. But I never try to convince people to convert, or that Buddhism is the right choice, or only right choice. All religions are equal. Like the Dalai Lama pointed out, it's not about converting, it's about how one acts with one's faith while on this earth. He is actually against conversions to Buddhism. Well, he's not against them, he's just not arrogant enough to believe that Buddhism is the only right religion, and that all paths are valid. It's how you follow your path that matters.
How can all religions be equal?
dyanaprajna2011
Dharmapala
Because it's wholly subjective, and based on personal viewpoints of the ultimate reality.
They're not wholly subjective.
They make a variety of claims, and some of them are more accurate than others. And some of them have better morality than others.
dyanaprajna2011
Dharmapala
That's correct if you're only looking at a particular religion from a literalist point of view. I take a more spiritual/mystical view, because, to me, that's what religion is, that's what it should be for. Take the Bible for instance. I don't believe in a global flood, creationism, a literal resurrection, in general or for Jesus; I think these are all to be understood in spiritual ways. From this point of view, religion is no longer something to be pounded into people as absolute truth, but a path of transcendence to the ultimate reality. In the case of Christianity, many of it's mystics taught things that came closer to Buddhism than traditional conservative Christian doctrine. It's this aspect that I think should be emphasized.
Spiritual and mystical views, if they claim the existence of supernatural phenomena such as gods, afterlives, and the ability to perceive beyond the physical or beyond the body are making claims about the way that reality operates.
Inevitably, some will be more correct than others. Religions make a variety of claims ranging from physical ones to supernatural ones, and some of them are more or less accurate. Some of them emphasize the literal things as important for their religion. And religions have different effects on their followers, with some promoting positive behavior and thinking patterns, and others promoting negative ones.
Rainbow Mage
Lib Democrat/Agnostic/Epicurean-ish/Buddhist-ish
I must disagree in respect with my fellow Matt here. Buddhism is not just a collection of subjective truths that some choose to follow. Buddha claimed to be teaching objective truths, and I can't very well ignore that, even if some do. To me love others, be kind to others, ease the suffering of others, etc. are not just subjective morals to a Buddhist. The Buddha knew what he was doing when he made a set of precepts for his followers. One cannot disregard these and claim to be a Buddhist.
dyanaprajna2011
Dharmapala
And I agree wholeheartedly. But the Buddha also didn't teach superstitions, like most religions do. He wasn't big on the supernatural side. His philosophy was more straightforward. He was an empiricist and a naturalist. That's one of the things that originally interested me about Buddhism. Prayer never worked for me, but meditation did, and does. And the precepts are based on the idea of karma. The precepts are things that can get rid of bad karma and gain good karma. Karma is basically the law of cause and effect applied on a spiritual and moral basis. There's not much in Buddhism where the Buddha didn't attempt to apply what we might consider the scientific method. The Buddha tried to be objective as possible in his teachings. He encouraged rational thought and experimentation. This is the fundamental difference between Buddhism and other religions.