Is it a Christian's duty to convert non-believers?

Nooooooooooooooooooo!

Everyone is responsible for their own self, we Christians can only help/guide if you’re open.

oh! btw, welcome to fluther!

It is a Christian’s duty to be a witness to Christ’s power in the world, and to make sure that everyone is aware of Christianity.

Many have interpreted this as never shutting up about the particulars of their belief, or about making sure that everyone goes to the same church they do. I think that once the invitation has been made, anything further is unnecessary and frequently rude; once the door is open, the other person gets to step through if he or she sees fit, without being shoved.

They are taught that it is their duty (or at least I was, and everyone I know who is Christian believes that), but that doesn’t make it ok to pry into someone’s private spiritual life and pound them over the head with a Bible until they convert.

I actually had this discussion with a good friend of mine who is a Christian (I am not religious, but very spiritual). She said it best: “It’s like if I found the cure for cancer, sure I’d want to share it with everyone and heal people. But I can’t make a person accept the treatment if they don’t want it.” I wish more Christians saw it that way.

Only try to convert those who wish to be converted. If someone shows no interest, please leave them alone.

If I wanted more info, I’m sure Christians would glady want to expose me to it, and help me along. I would hope they would believe it’s their duty to force it, but their duty for those who want to convert.

I think it’s more a Christian’s duty to “spread the word.” Not necessarily to force someone into religious submission. Though, some do anyway. I was always taught that was our duty- to be a missionary to as many people as possible.

The Golden Rule says: if you don’t want to be preached at unsolicitedly, don’t preach unsolicitedly. Since I don’t want to be preached at, I don’t preach at others. This includes trying to “convert” non believers.

If you really feel you have the need or right to do so, do so once and drop it if the person doesn’t eagerly continue that discussion.

Wasn’t there some documentary where someone went to some very Mormon community in Utah door-to-door and tried to give them handouts and lessons about their religion or anti-religion or something? From what I remember, the Mormons wouldn’t answer the door, and shut doors in their faces- the same things we do to them. It was kind of funny. Nobody wants to be solicited to.

@ubersiren I hope so. I would totally watch it.

@ubersiren : One time I volunteered to help with voter registration by going door to door with registration cards, and the one person who was the most rude to me told me she was a Jehovah’s Witness. (She was offended that I asked her if she would like to register to vote, because apparently Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t participate in politics)

I found that pretty ironic.

I certainly hope not. If there’s anything that I hate more than religion, it’s people trying to preach to me.

@La chica gomela
How dare you come to her home and challenge her beliefs! LOL
@Ender
From my understanding I would say no because only God can touch someone’s heart. One approach operates from within one’s own understanding of a separate self and the other from within the consciousness of God.

@La_chica_gomela : Incredible. I believe it.

I wish more Christians would try to convert me.

I really don’t believe that shoving your views down someone’s throat is anybody’s “path” in life.

@Qingu
Why is that?

@SeventhSense I sense sarcasm from @Qingu.

@essieness
I guessed as much but I’m sure they can answer… Didn’t I talk to you yesterday Mom :)
I’m going deeper.

what even constitutes a “non-believer”? anyone who is not christian?

@alive

In this particular context, you are right. Those who are unbelieving of Christianity would make up the group. I’m not fond of the term, myself. It can be misleading as there are plenty other belief systems.

@SeventhSense, I’m not being sarcastic at all. I love arguing about religion. And if someone tried to convert me, that would give me an opportunity to try to convert them right back.

@Qingu
Well that’s what I was wondering. I actually feel that the motivation is often the same regardless of what side of the fence you’re on.

@SeventhSense, I agree, and I think evangelicals often get a bad rep in this regard.

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with wanting to spread ideas that you think are good. Nor do I think there’s anything wrong with trying to open lines of discussion. I think it’s a shame that so many people think religion and politics are these taboo subjects—because they’re really the most fascinating subjects to talk about, and I think people in general could stand to think about them and criticize them and defend them more.

Of course, there are boundaries, and if someone says they don’t want to talk about something, you’re a dick if you push it.

Yes.

Did you see this thread?

I think it’s our duty to introduce you to the word and help foster a relationship with God

@_Liz What do you do if the person was formerly a christian, but has now denounced it?

That would be me.

@Eambos I’d ask why they did and try to help out..listen

@Eambos: you’re an adult, and you have enough information to look after your own soul. If you had never heard of Christianity, I’d have a duty to see that you knew enough about it to investigate it further or decide on your own, but if you know of it and made a decision, it’s not my place to harangue you.

Thank you, @cwilbur, that is very reasonable. If a person knows nothing of the religion, it does make sense to introduce to them, so they may make an educated decision.

@_Liz By saying that I need “help” for no longer being Christian it seems as if you are saying that my ideas are wrong. If you see the Christian religion as what you want to believe, that’s great! I, on the other hand, do not see it as a path I wish to follow. I do not need “help.”

If I interpreted your repsonse wrong, I am sorry. I don’t mean any offence, I just don’t like it when people tell me I am wrong for not believeing in a god.

@Eambos we all have our opinions :)

im not a chirstian but i want to know if i can belive in it try to convert me if u want im open to what you say..