NationStates Jolt Archive

I've recently seen several threads dealy with religous Proselytizing and its negative affects. But thats not the only Proselytizing there is in the world. There is also political, environmental, religous, and so many others. I personally think its wrong to push your believes on other, but I also see the other side of the argument, that if you don't try to change anothers mindset perhapes no ideas will be spread... So what are your thoughts on Proselytizing?

If it's profitable.

Hey, if you want to do it go for it. However, I would not recommend you do it in Turkey or Saudi Arabia.

We should convert people by our actions, not our words.

We should convert people by our actions, not our words.
Wonderfully put, and not often enough followed. Totally a great example to those members of this forum that think that whatever they do is hands-down perfect.....*ahem*

I've recently seen several threads dealy with religous Proselytizing and its negative affects. But thats not the only Proselytizing there is in the world. There is also political, environmental, religous, and so many others. I personally think its wrong to push your believes on other, but I also see the other side of the argument, that if you don't try to change anothers mindset perhapes no ideas will be spread... So what are your thoughts on Proselytizing?
It has to be done with a modum of civility. as there are people who don't want God "Shoved down their throats" there are people who don't want "Sin Shoved down their throats"

That's what makes the forums a proper tool. You don't need to click on the thread and read it. You don't need to get involved. but alot of people here feel that they have to. and so get something they don't like shoved down/up a part of the body they don't want anything put there.

We should convert people by our actions, not our words.
Gotta admit tho... hard to do in a forum where words are the only things seen.

Not impossible, just very easy to be overlooked.

Good, if you say 'I think this idea has some merit, what about you?'

Bad, if you say 'I'm right, you're wrong, burn in hell heathen.'

Gotta admit tho... hard to do in a forum where words are the only things seen.

Not impossible, just very easy to be overlooked.
I don't consider this an appropriate means to convert somebody, though....do you? Nothing against you if you do, but I just find that impersonal and a little inappropriate if somebody's not looking for information from your side....

I just find it kinda of arrogant:

If you don't eat (some food) you will die of heart attack

If you where fur your a monster.

If you don't believe in the same invisable man I do you going to burn in hell.


Its like some kind of retro-active peer pressure.... anyway, i see its good qualities as well as the bad, I just find it very annoying.


If you push your believe on someone your going to hell (muslisms I love them lol)

Try to imagine the utter stagnation and boring, ignorant existence we would have if no philosophers published their works, no religious texts were written, libraries didn't exist, and everyone was content to wallow in their own inaccurate perception of reality were no one could show the error of their way, no scientific advancement ever spread, and no one took any incentive to lead politically or otherwise.

It is a fact of life, please don't condemn it without really stepping back and looking at exactly what you are proposing when you say you "think its wrong."

Try to imagine the utter stagnation and boring, ignorant existence we would have if no philosophers published their works, no religious texts were written, libraries didn't exist, and everyone was content to wallow in their own inaccurate perception of reality were no one could show the error of their way, no scientific advancement ever spread, and no one took any incentive to lead politically or otherwise.

It is a fact of life, please don't condemn it without really stepping back and looking at exactly what you are proposing when you say you "think its wrong."
Well yes, but I believe it's the people that absolutely refuse to open their minds to the other sides that are really the ones people can't stand. Or maybe those are just the ones I can't stand. Maybe some people still hate me for being a vegetarian liberal Catholic who has no problems with equal rights for homosexuals and thinks that Furries deserve a section in Priscillas.....

Actually I made that last part up. I couldn't care any less about the damn Furries.

Try to imagine the utter stagnation and boring, ignorant existence we would have if no philosophers published their works, no religious texts were written, libraries didn't exist, and everyone was content to wallow in their own inaccurate perception of reality were no one could show the error of their way, no scientific advancement ever spread, and no one took any incentive to lead politically or otherwise.

It is a fact of life, please don't condemn it without really stepping back and looking at exactly what you are proposing when you say you "think its wrong."

See, thats what I mean, it has its good points, as well as its negatives, even if lets say some annoying christians tries convert you its good because it opens your mind to a different point of view, eventhough that viewpoint could be flawed.... The problem occurs when they force it upon you...

Simonist']I don't consider this an appropriate means to convert somebody, though....do you? Nothing against you if you do, but I just find that impersonal and a little inappropriate if somebody's not looking for information from your side....
What? witnessing by Actions and Deeds and not Preaching and Verbally Ministering?

It depends on the person doing the witnessing. I've never really been good with words. So I'd rather let my actions speak for me.

If they want information, they can ask, I can invite to events, or take them to church. but most time, they just wanna argue/Debate.

Simonist']. Maybe some people still hate me for being a vegetarian liberal Catholic who has no problems with equal rights for homosexuals and thinks that Furries deserve a section in Priscillas.....
.

your sure your catholic? Most catholics I know would call you a heretic and try to light you on fire, then again I know some messed-up people lol...



Adanac Lord of Canada and seeer of China!

See, thats what I mean, it has its good points, as well as its negatives, even if lets say some annoying christians tries convert you its good because it opens your mind to a different point of view, eventhough that viewpoint could be flawed.... The problem occurs when they force it upon you...and that happens on both sides, not just Christians but Athiests as well as other religions as well. all are victims as well as perpertrators.

I'm getting out of this thread before SHE finds out about it and enters the fray...

Simonist']Maybe some people still hate me for being a vegetarian liberal Catholic who has no problems with equal rights for homosexuals and thinks that Furries deserve a section in Priscillas.....

Actually I made that last part up. I couldn't care any less about the damn Furries.No man, I don't hate you at all. :cool:

Oh yeah, did I mention dedicated partier as well?

Thanks, JuNii, I love me too. It's comforting to know the feeling is shared :D

I'm not alone anymore!

That sounded way less creepy when it was just a conception.....I apologize....

I'm getting out of this thread before SHE finds out about it and enters the fray...

Whose she? And why would you incur "her" rath!

See, thats what I mean, it has its good points, as well as its negatives, even if lets say some annoying christians tries convert you its good because it opens your mind to a different point of view, eventhough that viewpoint could be flawed.... The problem occurs when they force it upon you...

It is incredibly hard to "force" a belief or way of thinking on a person. In fact, the harder someone tries to do so the less chance they have of doing so because of the distasteful backlash. It breeds contempt and people in general are loathe to adopt the teachings of those they know contempt for.

How many times do you have to hear an atheist complain about how Christians "force" their belief on others, yet those self same people are still atheists? They were not "forced" into anything; in fact they loath Christians even more because of it. See what I am saying? Attempting to "force" someone to believe what you believe is actually NOT conductive to proselytizing because the word, by definition, implies a successful conversion.

Proselytising is a spinoff from freedom of speech. Accept it.

Two examples...

1) A bunch of (Jehovah's Witnesses / Mormons / Evangelical Christians / Greenpeace Members / Amnesty International members) come to knock on my door. OK. They start telling stuff about their beliefs and how I'm living in sin, how the world is going terribly wrong, and so on. Wow. They want me to give money, to enroll, or to sign a petition, or to read a magazine. Double wow. Get outta my house.

2) A Mennonite friend helps people in her neighborood with their kids, while her husband helps other people renovating their apartments. All for free. And they never ever judge people. Now THAT is something. When she speaks to me, I listen. Because I respect her.

You can't convince/convert people the "fast food" way. Life is not a TV show. You have to first gain people's respect.

I'm getting out of this thread before SHE finds out about it and enters the fray...



*Catches him as he tries to escape* Rawr! Nice try, but nobody escapes my wrath!!!!!.....I am the one we're referring to, right?

*Catches him as he tries to escape* Rawr! Nice try, but nobody escapes my wrath!!!!!.....I am the one we're referring to, right?
Would be hilarious if you weren't.....like, thanks for ruining the mood..... :rolleyes: