What's wrong with sharing your beliefs with others?

[JayHawes]

If we admit it all major religions have imposed their beliefs on others, excluding Judaism. Christians(mainly early Catholicism) did it. Protestants do it today. Mohamud did it within his crusades. The Hinu Kings did so, so did the rulers of China and other parts of Asia. Even today rulers of nations force their subjects to be loyal to certain religions (i.e. Indonesia- to Islam).

 

[Truth_Faith13]

If we admit it all major religions have imposed their beliefs on others, excluding Judaism. Christians(mainly early Catholicism) did it. Protestants do it today. Mohamud did it within his crusades. The Hinu Kings did so, so did the rulers of China and other parts of Asia. Even today rulers of nations force their subjects to be loyal to certain religions (i.e. Indonesia- to Islam).

Isnt that because Jews dont accept converts - you have to be born a jew?

 

[*Paul*]

It's not prosetlyzing. I think of prosetlyzing as the organized effort to convert other people to your belief system. Nevertheless, when someone believe in something, and think that its great because it changed his/her life to something better, then why some people will feel bad if this person tried to share his/her beliefs with them or even asked them to read, and think about it?

I don't know about you, but for us, since we are children, they taught us that we have to love to do for others as we would love to do for ourselves. In another word, if i found something good, so i'll definitely share it with my friend, otherwise, i'll feel as i betrayed him because i knew of something good and didn't inform my friend about it, especially if it was something huge.

Again, i don't want to talk about organized prosetlyzing but about sharing beliefs in the level of ordinary individuals.

So, what's wrong with that?

Are you so insecure about your personal beliefs that you think a verse or a concept about any other religion will turn your head and work as a magic on you to convert you?

Do you think its offensive?

You may be suprised but I have exactly the same perspective as you on this subject. You can share with me anytime, i'll always listen but I expect the same in return.

 

[Katzpur]

I like talking about real things. But the moment someone crosses the line into the unreal that requires believing...check, please.

Since when is belief not a real thing?

 

[JayHawes]

Isnt that because Jews dont accept converts - you have to be born a jew?

Jews do not seek to convert, but they do accept converts-though there are few. Most Jews are born Jews.

 

[giant space amoeba]

Depends in how far you go with "sharing" your beleifs.

Nothing wrong with telling others about them and nothing wrong with encouraging people to think about or consider them.

What i think is wrong is trying to introduce it as law or having others harmed if they don't agree with them. In a lesser scale its the "in your face and won't leave alone" attitude that bugs me sometimes.

And picketing at someones funeral (for one such example) is wrong, just plain wrong.

Hope that helps.

 

[love]

RF is one of the only places I discuss religion. When I first excepted Christ as my personal Savior (30 years ago) it was such a joyful experience I wanted to share it with everyone. I couldn't believe the hostility I encountered even among friends. I do not go to church. I don't discuss it unless someone asks. I am not the Savior of the world. I believe the path to God is a personal journey. Evidence of God's love surrounds me and He has the power to touch whom He chooses. I tried many different churches at first but I have always felt more comfortable alone on a mountain or beside a lake with my own personal thoughts of God.

 

[Scuba Pete]

I share my beliefs in two ways: discussion and actions. I have found that the latter speaks far louder than any discussion I could have. Those who have converted to Christianity because of me would probably tell you that they were loved into the Kingdom.

There was only one mass conversion and that was on the day of Pentecost. After that, you see the disciples appealing to an individual or to a family. Christianity of the first century was built on the strength of relationships: a "one another" religion. We often lose sight of just how important it is to do the little things for your neighbor or to relate to those who aren't like you. Paul didn't. He became all things to all men. Love makes us do strange things.

 

[TashaN]

If we admit it all major religions have imposed their beliefs on others, excluding Judaism. Christians(mainly early Catholicism) did it. Protestants do it today. Mohamud did it within his crusades. The Hinu Kings did so, so did the rulers of China and other parts of Asia. Even today rulers of nations force their subjects to be loyal to certain religions (i.e. Indonesia- to Islam).

Actually, i didn't understand the Mohammed's crusade part. What do you mean by that?

Also, regarding Indonesia, it's a muslim country and i don't know who told you someone is forcing them to do anything. People can decide for themselves what they want.

Anyway, you have to know that Mohammed didn't impose Islam into no one. He was just telling them about his message for anyone who would like to hear the word of God, the last testament. Mohammed was just defending himself and he was preaching the word of God (One God) to people as Jesus Christ did before him.

For more information about Mohammed, Islam and the war at that time. You can check this thread.

http://www.religiousforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39491

 

[TashaN]

Wow, thank you all for participating in this thread and if i knew something, it's that we have to know how people feel and the differences in mentalities and culture when we talk about religion, because the expectation of such a topic in one part of the world might not be the same as the other parts of the world. Nevertheless, there is alot of similarities in our understanding of this issue as well. Its all about the power of cummunication.

 

[lillitruthseeker]

i like to learn about different beliefs but i dont feel comfortable with the people that act like if you dont believe like them you are doomed or going to suffer for it -- thats not right

 

[TashaN]

i like to learn about different beliefs but i dont feel comfortable with the people that act like if you dont believe like them you are doomed or going to suffer for it -- thats not right

I agree with you.

 

[nutshell]

i like to learn about different beliefs but i dont feel comfortable with the people that act like if you dont believe like them you are doomed or going to suffer for it -- thats not right

Agreed.