Converting people to a particular religion

[cho_pilo]

Does everyone think that it’s wrong to try to convert people to a particular religion?

Also, is it more ethical to try to convert an atheist/agnostic into your religion than someone who has already adopted their own religion?

What does everbody think?

 

[LifeIsAbsurd]

Does everyone think that it’s wrong to try to convert people to a particular religion?

Jehova’s Witnesses have stopped by my door more than once, so clearly ‘everyone’ does not think that it’s wrong to try to convert people to a particular religion.

 

[Windfish]

Does everyone think that it’s wrong to try to convert people to a particular religion?

Also, is it more ethical to try to convert an atheist/agnostic into your religion than someone who has already adopted their own religion?

What does everbody think?

It’s definitely not wrong. I mean, I suppose there are good and bad ways of going about converting people, but evangelization is not wrong in principle. There are practical considerations as well, though. In India, it is considered very disrespectful to proselytize.

 

[JRKH]

It is going to depend on what you mean by “try to convert”. In the past, there have been forced conversions - conversions at sword point. forced or coerced conversion is not conversion and is therefore wrong.However, if one places the truth (as they see it) before another and thereby convinces them of that truth then this is not wrong, it is their duty.
It is required that we “make disciples of all nations” (Mt 28:19) This does not mean that every person in every nation be Christian but rather that we are to declare Christ in every nation and accept converts from all nation.

It is often said that We proclaim the Gospel, but it is the Holy Spirit who converts people. This is the best answer.

Peace
James

 

[cho_pilo]

It is going to depend on what you mean by “try to convert”. In the past, there have been forced conversions - conversions at sword point. forced or coerced conversion is not conversion and is therefore wrong.However, if one places the truth (as they see it) before another and thereby convinces them of that truth then this is not wrong, it is their duty.
It is required that we “make disciples of all nations” (Mt 28:19) This does not mean that every person in every nation be Christian but rather that we are to declare Christ in every nation and accept converts from all nation.

It is often said that We proclaim the Gospel, but it is the Holy Spirit who converts people. This is the best answer.

Peace
James

Indeed.

 

[tonyrey]

We have an obligation to convert people, not so much by what we say but how we live. When we are with those who are confused, unhappy, depressed or suicidal we are guilty of negligence if we say or do nothing to console them and give them hope and a sense of purpose. We also have a duty to warn people who are “heading for the rocks”, i.e. living so that they are in danger of alienating others by their selfishness or immoral behaviour. It is not a question of condemning them but of reasoning with them.

Ultimately everything we say is inspired by what we believe and who we trust. The truth is not the monopoly of one religion but one religion must have more truth than others!
What counts most is not whether people are converted to a particular religion but converted to loving others more than themselves. As Jesus said, by their fruits you shall know them…

 

[Dakota_Roberts]

It’s definitely not wrong. I mean, I suppose there are good and bad ways of going about converting people, but evangelization is not wrong in principle. There are practical considerations as well, though. In India, it is considered very disrespectful to proselytize.

The Portuguese never got the memo, glad they didn’t (Indian Catholic)

 

[Dale_M]

I think in Western pluralistic democracies proselytizing others, without their prior request, is often considered rude. However, a defining characteristic of Evangelical Protestantism is acceptance of what they term “The Great Commission.”
Matthew 28:18-20:

18
11 Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
19
Go, therefore, 12 and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit,
20
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. 13 And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

usccb.org/nab/bible/matthew/matthew28.htm

As such, they see evangelizing/proselytizing as essential to their faith. Some Evangelicals are more aggressive about this than others, as many here may know. Although many Christian denominations have a “no poaching” ethic when it comes to other Christian denominations, some Evangelicals interpret anyone who doesn’t adhere to their denomination as not being fully Christian and those needing to be saved.

And, of course, Mormons are famous for seeking converts.