QOTW: Proselytizing

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
QOTW: Proselytizing
28
Sun, 09-10-2006 - 12:28pm

Door-to-door missionaries, outreach programs, long-term missionaries to other countries, or just friends eager to share their own path... apologetics takes on many forms.  What does your faith include and how do you feel about it?  Do you actively proselytize to others?  How do you feel/react when others--formally or informally--speak about their religion to you? 


 



Pages

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-04-2003
Sun, 09-10-2006 - 1:23pm
I think it's interesting to learn about other ppl's religion and spirituality.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2002
Sun, 09-10-2006 - 1:24pm

I don't mind sharing my relgious belief with other or hear how someone else view faith and religion. I think learning about each other is a gift and a necessity in this world.

What I'm totally against is the "My faith is better than yours" attitude missionaries and door to door persons have. It's an awful thing to push your own faith on someone else, and I would call it an invasion of privacy or an attack to personnal freedom. I also hate the fact that some people use religion as a pretext to kill one's neighbour. There are no such things a holy war...and people who choose to kill should do it being completely responsible of their act, God cannot be held responsible in any massacres on this planet.









Powered by CGISpy.com


My Adventures

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Sun, 09-10-2006 - 4:28pm

Hi Ginger:


I think learning about others is wonderful way of becoming more tolerant towards other situations.

Hope everyone has a great Summer!

Photobucket
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 09-10-2006 - 6:41pm

I can't remember anyone even mentioning

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-09-2001
Sun, 09-10-2006 - 6:44pm

My religion, Wicca, does not believe in evangelizing or proselytizing. I view all religions as valid paths and all our beliefs form a beautiful tapestry together. TOGETHER, we have pieces of the truth. Our paths and journeys help us discover these truths and help us evolve as Spirit. No one path is superior to another. So there is no need to try to convert others. I will share information if asked, but I believe each person has their own path and I respect that. I have recently discovered that I share this perspective with Unitarian Universalists as well. :)

Gypsy



Blessings,

Gypsy

)O(



iVillage Member
Registered: 01-03-2001
Sun, 09-10-2006 - 6:44pm
My faith is highly personal and private and I do NOT proselytise --- and those who do make me VERY uncomfortable and NOT very sympathetic to their point of view...




Co-CL for "The Stitcher's Niche", and CL for "Photoboard: Summer Celebrations", "Remodel & Renovate", and "Antiques and Collectibles"

Visit me at That Yank In...
and Traveling with That Yank







Avatar made with Portrait Illustrator Maker


Stitchery WIPs:"Neighborhood" RR, "Bath 5¢", "Walking to Town", a selection of San Man snow charts, "Millenium Sampler", and 2 sets of curtain tie-backs using a DMC freebie chart and the new DMC linen threads






Logos courtesy of http://www.sewing.org/ and http://www.craftplace.org.uk/ respectively

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-17-2005
Sun, 09-10-2006 - 7:52pm

I don't mind learning about someone else's path but I would prefer to seek that person out instead of them coming to me or my house uninvited. I don't believe that any one path is right for everyone so I personally don't believe in proselyting. My reaction to someone else varies ... if they ask my opinion or want a discussion I sometimes will have a conversation with them (if I feel it's the right place and time.) If they are just trying to convert me or tell me they are 100% right and I'm wrong, I try to find a tactful way to let them know they are barking up the wrong tree. :)

BTW, be careful of people pretending they are proselytizing. Don't let them in your house!! My Aunt was robbed as one person distracted her and another came in through the back. Also there have been rapist and thieves that pose as religious people. Protect yourself!!

Click to visit Pagan Paths! ** "I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a
necessary ingredient in living. It's a way of looking at life through
the wrong end of a telescope ..." ~ Dr. Seuss
Click to visit Pagan Paths Homepage!
Click to visit Pagan Paths!
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-19-2003
Sun, 09-10-2006 - 11:08pm

What does your faith include and how do you feel about it?
We have door-to-door missionaries all over the world. I don't really think about it much. I know that it occurs and I hope that we can help people with what they need, whether they decide to join our church or not.

Do you actively proselytize to others?
I really only tell people things about my religion if they know me and have questions, or if it comes up as a topic of conversation with people I don't know and they have questions for me.

How do you feel/react when others--formally or informally--speak about their religion to you?
I don't mind if other people want to tell me about their beliefs, since I like learning about other religions and spiritual paths. As long as they don't always try to convert me or tear down my religious beliefs, then I'm ok with it.


Image hosting by Photobucket
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 09-11-2006 - 12:57am

BTW, be careful of people pretending they are proselytizing. Don't let them in your house!! My Aunt was robbed as one person distracted her and another came in through the back. Also there have been rapist and thieves that pose as religious people. Protect yourself!!


Yikes!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 09-11-2006 - 5:28am

I don't care for the door-to-door people. Unless
it's kids selling cookies and candies LOL!

Our church has outreach ministries, no proselytizing
or anything unless if a person asks to know more
about God and the wonderful things he can do
for them.

As for other beliefs, I don't mind learning about
them because I know I am firmly grounded in my own
beliefs.

Hugs,


~*~ there's nothing that a nap can't cure (wink!).... ~*~



~*~ Aloha to all .... ~*~

Pages