Why do religions try to force it on others?

Not all religions actively proseltyze.

Lets say you belong to a religion that teaches that it is the one true religion and that everyone else is doomed to an eternity of torment. If you actually believed this wouldn’t you go out and try to convert as many people to it for their own good? Several religions also challenge their believers to spread the word far and wide.

Yes it is offensive. It is offensive for someone to be so sure they are right and you are wrong that they have to save you from yourself. It is offensive for someone who believes the myths, superstitions, and taboos of bronze age slaves to consider other people “heathens” for not believing.

The only thing I can think to do about this is to turn it around. Good ol’ Dave Barry noted that people who want to share their religion with you never want you to share yours with them. When they try to save you try to save them. At first this can be intimidating because churches prepare their followers with good sounding pat answers designed to shut people down. With further scrutiny their arguments are easily picked apart and you will find that once you get them off their script that they usually fall apart and leave in frustration.

i know exactly what u mean! everywhere it’s like”Hey there have you found your savor yet?” I want ppl to stop pestering about thins stuff, I know believing is good and all but i’m not going to change religions just because ur’s is some how “better”.

I agree with amblessed..perhaps it is that God is trying to tell you something by sending these people along with an important message for you and you are just not listening

just for every ones information, judaism is a great example of a religion that does not go out and try to convert people, they actually make it quite hard to convert to judaism. not that it is impossible though.

As christians or God fearing ppl, however you want to say it, we are taught to “spread the word.” I am a christian, but I can’t stand bible thumpers. I don’t like ppl knocking on my door Saturday mornings at 8 am to pray with me. I also have a responsibility to “witness” to others on behalf of God. I am not going to judge or browbeat someone about there religion or lack there of. I can debate the bible all day long, but all it would do is push you further away from it. So instead of all that, can we not just be kind to one another, help those that need help, love unconditionaly and for pete’s sake, take responsibility for your actions and accept the consequences. All that believe in prayer, use it.

I think there was a God at one point but he didn’t rule this earth and it was just a normal person that was a high authority figure at some point and died. People need to stop forcing religions on others seriously it gets on my nerves. I had dated a guy at one point and his family was really religious and Christian at that. Well the day I met his family they took one look at me and said thats her. They didn’t like me they could tell I wasent Christian or anything and they hated me. I went to church with him one time an everyone hated me. The guy loves me to death and I love him hes so great, but because of is religion family and everything else with that I cant date him I broke up with him after 6 months. Now he has another gf that his family loves just because she goes to their church and acts all innocent when shes not.

I’ve never been much of a pusher on the subject of religion. I hear the word religion and my mind encapsulates all the horrid things that have happened in the name of it. Instead I prefer to call myself a follower of the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Well, maybe not a true follower but a 100% believer. And I also believe the best way to be a preacher is to say nothing but be a living example to others and to and be always prepared to give an answer to every one that asks you to give an account of the hope that is in you.