I have never quite understood the reason behind proselytizing your religion. Why is it that, Christians especially, feel the need to do all they can to convert their friends who are “unbelievers?” Moreover, what exactly constitutes an “unbeliever?”
I am not a follower of Christ. I am a Wiccan. However, to say that I don’t believe in some form of deity would not be true. I am a believer, just not a follower. I believe Christ existed. I believe he did good things for people while he was alive. I just do not follow along with the “Good Book” and I do not feel that it is the only path to deity.
I have often wondered about the fact that anyone who doesn’t follow Christ is called an “unbeliever.” Why say that? Why not simply say that they are not a follower? And again, why must followers of Christ try to convert everyone else? Oh, that’s right…because the Bible says that Christ and God told them to. Silly me.
In other words, instead of allowing people to believe in the form of deity they are comfortable with, you must do all you can to get them to believe what you believe. Nice. Not my preference though.
Last week in church my friend’s pastor instructed the congregation to go out and make friends with at least 3 unbelievers. Take them to lunch, to dinner, take them to church. By the church definition of an unbeliever, they’re already doing that with one. Guess what? It’s not working!
Filed under: Questions of Faith
Yeah. I was a Mormon until a couple of years ago, and as much as I was encouraged to proselytize, my heart was never in it. I mean, I thought that everybody would be happier as Mormons, but it just never seemed right or even useful to pressure other people into becoming one.