Stop trying to convert me!

[DukeLeto]

...or anyone else for that matter. This is a general thing, it's not directed at one or two people. If I wanted to convert, I'd go to a church or something. I'm perfectly happy being an Athiest; more so than when I was (somewhat) Christian. So I frankly don't need to hear all this cr*p about how I'm "going to hell" or how I'll "be forgiven if I convert". (Though forgiven of what is unbeknownst to me; I haven't commited any crimes or anything.)

So yeah, just leave me alone there. No more topics like "The Dread Legion", the purpose of this forum is not Athiest-bashing. Or liberal-bashing or Democrat-bashing or Communist-bashing for that matter. I would think it's for calm, reasonable discussions; let's try to keep it that way, K? 8)

[TMA_1]

believe in jesus christ as your savior? you mean that? that he was raised three days later too? Well I am not trying to convert you. just giving you information.lol

beh dont be so freaked out about it. whenever somebody tries to convert me from another religion that I know, I think its kinda sweet that they care enough to do so. and I respect them for having the guts for saying something about their beliefs in such a constructive way.

[Navaros]

for once I agree with this guy

the ironic part is, all these looney tunes are actually gonna forever push AWAY from Christ everyone they ever talk to rather than bring anyone to Christ in this way

what can i say, some people are just idiots. they are wasting their time and doing their own cause a great dis-service.

[Edric O]

I thought bashing other people's political and/or religious point of view was the whole point of this forum...?

Anyway, if you want Christians to stop trying to convert you, then practice what you preach and stop trying to convert THEM to atheism! (I won't give any names - you know who you are)

[DukeLeto]

What?! Quote one post where I try to convert you; just one! ::)

[slaphapy]

I agree.. i usually just sit there and listen to the speach about their religion... i won't do anything though, i don't practice a religion.

I have a friend who is jewish, and he seems to always somehow attract people like that who try and convert him (don't ask me why). one day he just got so irritated he just said, "I'm a satinist" ... and walked away, the person didn't talk to him again, but i don't feel it was the best way to handle it :-

[DukeLeto]

That's OK, the Baptists around here call me a Satanist...Saves me the trouble, I guess. ;)

[Edric O]

I specifically said I won't give any names, Duke!

But, anyway, you're not one of the atheists I was talking about! Stop taking everything so personal...

[DukeLeto]

You're calling me paranoid, aren't you? I'm not paranoid! I'm NORMAL! NORMAL, YOU HERE ME?! NORMAL!!!

;D ;D

[Acriku]

I've never tried to convert anybody either. Have I ever said "Religion is stupid, join atheism - it is much better! And you get free donuts!"

I have only described my opinions on religion, and on atheism, but as far as I know I have never tried to convert anybody.

And it's been awhile since I have had someone try to convert me in real life, thank god, so I can only hope they lay off of you guys. Go to some sites on funny ways to get rid of converters at the door, hilarious!

[SurlyPIG]

Everyone deserves your respect, but not all your patience if you are in deficet at that time. I was rather rude to some Jehova's Witnesses one time, I answered the door, they started their usual babble. I tried to find a point to interrupt but there was literally no break between when one finished a sentence and the other started. I waited at least three or four minutes for them to finish, then very sarcastically asked them to come in to discuss it some more while we drank coffee and I showed them my collection of 20th century war weapons...(I don't actually have one)

[slaphapy]

lol jahova's witnesses... one time I was at my friends house, and the way he got rid of them was when they said "would you like to invite god into your house?" he said "yes, he may come in but you can't" and shut the door... i do believe it was very rude but one of the funniest things i have ever seen.

[Acriku]

I don't think it is rude at all - when the witnesses come to his house, and try to convert him.

[Egeides]

I think that from both sides there are people trying to convince others, bash others or simply explain to others. From atheists as from theists (Christian or else).

Personally, I am pretty liberal and simply want to discuss ideas. Not talk about what others are, of what they should (!) think, just:

1- understand more other opinions (lurn)

2- make my opinion more understood (lurn to others)

And this of course includes theology.

[Navaros]

my prob with Jehova's witnesses is that as a kid my parents never explained them to me properly

ie: i see an Ad on the Tele for a Free Book of Mormon that says: "It's another Testament of Jesus Christ". so as a kid i'm thinking: "yay, let's get this! Jesus is good, and this book is free so why not get it?"

then i call my parents into the room and they tell me "no, it's a cult, we don't need that book" and i have no idea what they mean by that and why they're telling me not to get a free book about Jesus

then, even worse: sometimes i'd have classmates in grade school who would moonlight as Jehova's witnesses. these guys were my friends in school but i didn't know they were witnesses too. then one Saturday morning two of them come to my door, all dressed up nicely in suits, and ask for my parents. My parents take a quick peek out the window and tell me to get rid of them. I'm thinking: "wtf? these guys go to my school, they're really nice, they're my friends, so why are my parents being so mean to them???!!!" of course at that time i was just a kid and i didn't even know why they were at my house

maybe my parents were just incompetent in how they raised me about that so i don't know if anyone else had similar experiences. at least i know that if i am ever in a position to educate kids i'd be giving them the straight goods about Jehova's witnesses right off the bat so as they don't get confused later on

[SurlyPIG]

Perspective is everything. You have to see things from their perspective too, and this concept of 'putting yourself in someone else's shoes' is of the utmost importance when raising a child.

[Egeides]

About Jehovah's witness, I say lurn to debate by getting a strong opinion after studying, bring them in and THEY are the one who will flee from you.

Saying this by my personal experience ;D

So sad... I had a good time....

[Navaros]

that's an interesting idea. i am sure they are trained to only allocate "X number of minutes" to 1 household. anyone ever test this out? inviting them in and seeing how long they'd stay for before realizing they are wasting their time and aren't gonna accomplish anything? maybe it's in a Manual they keep in their briefcase or something ;D

[Egeides]

I know that they came twice... about a few hours each time. I invited them back both times, but they never came back after. I think I was declared possessed by demon because of the danger there was that I convince the witnesses lol

Anyway, it still was very interesting. One of two person was the same twice (so he was the one "with" me) and he was quite knowledgeable (possibly had studied philosophy before). I remarqued that questions concerning the DIFFERENCE between other Christians and witnesses were evaded, even if lot more deeper questions weren't. So test this breach.

So that was my experience and I still hope to continue but they don't come anymore ;)

PS: One of them had an axiom saying "philosophy isn't coming from God thus is baaaad". To this, answer about the link between platonician philosophy and the Bible + apostles (espescially John). Answer also that philosophy = ideas and not all ideas are exclusive of Bible.

[nemafakei]

Informing people of all the reasons for a religious position (or the errors in those of others) is fair enough, but setting out with a strong determination to convert someone is not a good expenditure of time - it is much more logical to try to convert people to becoming moral.

After all, which would you all prefer, a moral world with the wrong religious stance, or an immoral one with the right one?

[sneezer3]

Mormonism is a cult. They follow after the King James Bible yet they also carry the book of mormon. Paul wrote even if an angle comes preaching another gospel to let him be a curse.(probbly with people like Joseph Smith in mind)

the JW's changed what they beileved. they said before (if i got the number exactly right) only 144,000 will go to heaven faith plus works(hardest ones make it). then way more showed up so Watchtower had to change that one right quick.

After all, which would you all prefer, a moral world with the wrong religious stance, or an immoral one with the right one?

An immoral one with them.

let me sum it up in one little phase. I'd rather go to heaven liveing the wrong way then hell liveing the right way.

actully non of the above but you get the idea. ;)

[Acriku]

Pretty scary stuff you're talking about sneezer, the whole 'who cares what I do in this world, as long as I get into heaven' and 'f* this world, I'm going to heaven biatch'.

[SurlyPIG]

How do you define 'cult' sneezer? Where does a cult end and where does a religion begin? Where does your religion fit into this? Mormonism has certainly had a much more peaceful past than Christianity, so what makes it a cult?

[Acriku]

He finds it extremely false, by definition.

[ordos45]

That's OK, the Baptists around here call me a Satanist...Saves me the trouble, I guess. ;)

Did I ever call you a Satanist? And, besides, other Baptists have called me everything from Heretic to Pagan to Anti-Christ/Satanist to just being "of the Devil" plenty of times.