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Religious Missionaries

The Hammer

The Hammer

Skald
Premium Member
Many religions, such as Christianity and Islam, have a long history of sending out missionaries to convert people to their faith. Others, such as Hinduism and Judaism, do not. But what is the most ethical / logical way? Should religions send out missionaries?
 
Vinayaka

Vinayaka

devotee
Premium Member
The Hammer said:
Many religions, such as Christianity and Islam, have a long history of sending out missionaries to convert people to their faith. Others, such as Hinduism and Judaism, do not. But what is the most ethical / logical way? Should religions send out missionaries?
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You should give honest answers when approached. Otherwise it's unethical. Believing your version of humanity is better than anyone else's and needs to be shared says a lot about your ego. Proselytizing, and worse, resulting conversions, have caused so much pain on this planet. I am an outspoken critic of it.
 
SomeRandom

SomeRandom

Still learning to be wise
Staff member
Premium Member
The Hammer said:
Many religions, such as Christianity and Islam, have a long history of sending out missionaries to convert people to their faith. Others, such as Hinduism and Judaism, do not. But what is the most ethical / logical way? Should religions send out missionaries?
Click to expand...
I’m rather mixed on missionaries in general. Mostly due to their history, ngl
But also because it sort of conflicts with my core beliefs, to an extent.

I wholeheartedly believe in freedom of choice when it comes to religion or lack thereof. A person should be free to participate or not participate in whatever religion (or none, whatever.)
I also recognise that missionary work is technically a person utilising their right to religion. Meaning that some religions claim a person is responsible for “spreading the good word” and by not doing so they might be seen as aiding “sin.” So obviously preaching and missionary work does technically fall under freedom of religion insofar as it’s sometimes a central core practice, depending on the religion and indeed the sect. So I can’t be wholly against the practice due to me believing in freedom of religion.
That said, I can criticise some of the actions by certain missionary works. So maybe that is the compromise lol
 
Kenny

Kenny

Face to face with my Father
Premium Member
The Hammer said:
Many religions, such as Christianity and Islam, have a long history of sending out missionaries to convert people to their faith. Others, such as Hinduism and Judaism, do not. But what is the most ethical / logical way? Should religions send out missionaries?
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I think they should... but with love. Some people are searching for answers and if one doesn't share our answers, how can they make a decision for what they are searching?
 
Aštra’el

Aštra’el

Aštara, Blade of Aštoreth
There is no “should”. Do what you Will. If it is your mission, your purpose, your calling, to seek out converts and spread the message of your God(s), or expand the influence of your religion… then do it. Let none hold you back, and do not regret it, ever.
 
ADigitalArtist

ADigitalArtist

Veteran Member
Staff member
Premium Member
Depends on the missionary work. If you're there to just be the New Colonialism and use a titanic ego to 'tame' the 'savage culture' 'for their own good,' yeah those people can **** right the hell off.

But if you're there in the same sort of capacity that a FEMA representative or Habitat for Humanities worker would be, I've got no problem with that. Do, don't speak. Much more effective demonstration of your values anyway.
 
The Hammer

The Hammer

Skald
Premium Member
ADigitalArtist said:
Depends on the missionary work. If you're there to just be the New Colonialism and use a titanic ego to 'tame' the 'savage culture' 'for their own good,' yeah those people can **** right the hell off.

But if you're there in the same sort of capacity that a FEMA representative or Habitat for Humanities worker would be, I've got no problem with that. Do, don't speak. Much more effective demonstration of your values anyway.
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The problem is these things often combine in uncomfortable ways.

Take Billy Graham missionaries that instead of providing religious support for my wife after a flooding incident (they showed up with FEMA volunteers), attempted to get her to convert me.
 
9-10ths_Penguin

9-10ths_Penguin

1/10 Subway Stalinist
Premium Member
ADigitalArtist said:
Depends on the missionary work. If you're there to just be the New Colonialism and use a titanic ego to 'tame' the 'savage culture' 'for their own good,' yeah those people can **** right the hell off.

But if you're there in the same sort of capacity that a FEMA representative or Habitat for Humanities worker would be, I've got no problem with that. Do, don't speak. Much more effective demonstration of your values anyway.
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I think being there as a missionary cheapens whatever help a person might give.

I think it's fine if someone's religion motivates them to help others, but using a person's vulnerability as an "in" to sell a new religion to them is a pretty crappy move, even if the missionary feeds the vulnerable person.
 
ADigitalArtist

ADigitalArtist

Veteran Member
Staff member
Premium Member
The Hammer said:
The problem is these things often combine in uncomfortable ways.

Take Billy Graham missionaries that instead of providing religious support for my wife after a flooding incident (they showed up with FEMA volunteers), attempted to get her to convert me.
Click to expand...

9-10ths_Penguin said:
I think being there as a missionary cheapens whatever help a person might give.

I think it's fine if someone's religion motivates them to help others, but using a person's vulnerability as an "in" to sell a new religion to them is a pretty crappy move, even if the missionary feeds the vulnerable person.
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Yeah both of those would fall in my '**** the heck off' category. But I don't think every missionary is a manipulative dick.
 
ADigitalArtist

ADigitalArtist

Veteran Member
Staff member
Premium Member
9-10ths_Penguin said:
The people who aren't manipulative dicks get called "volunteer," not "missionary."
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I don't think the terms are mutually exclusive. Are there people who make their charity contingent on having to hear a sales pitch not unlike a desperate, dire version of a rental retreat? Sure. But I've done volunteer work alongside volunteer missionaries and not all or even most of them breathe a word of their religion, or require anything of those recieving aid to receive aid.

There are good ones out there. The bad ones give them a bad reputation, including a long history of rotten Christian colonialism, but that's no excuse to write them off wholesale.
 
Heyo

Heyo

Veteran Member
The Hammer said:
Many religions, such as Christianity and Islam, have a long history of sending out missionaries to convert people to their faith. Others, such as Hinduism and Judaism, do not. But what is the most ethical / logical way? Should religions send out missionaries?
Click to expand...
Missionaries are travelling salesmen. I don't mind you selling a good product but please be honest in your advertising.
And here comes your conflict of interest. Being honest won't get you as many sales as a disingenuous sales pitch.
How many honest travelling salesmen do you know who can live from their work?
 
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