More Voices: Conversion

Do You Believe in Trying to Convert People of Other Faiths?

Yes, I believe that as a Christian I have a responsibility to not only the Lord but also the individual to offer Jesus to them. The alternative is "Hell Fire."

— Sean Polk Upper, Marlboro

Religion is a deeply personal choice, one that can only be decided on for yourself. To teach others about your religion is one thing; to actively attempt to force them to change is quite another. Any person who attempts to convert another is interfering with one of the most personal choices that a person can make and is harming the sanctity of their own religion. Many religions may seek to teach others, but there are very few that actively encourage converting of "heathens." Attempting to do so is belittling to others, and an embarrassment of our own will.

— Alex Brick, Potomac

I'm a humanist — so my definition (and opinion) of "faith" is akin to Mark Twain's: "Faith is believing what you know ain't so." If an idea has nothing to recommend it but blind acceptance by its followers, does it really merit attention? Rather than convert others, I like to encourage them to step outside their comfort zone and question their assumptions. Free inquiry, not faith, has always been the cornerstone of human achievement.

— Mary Ellen Sikes, Charlottesville, Va.

Regarding the question of trying to convert other people to your religion:

I think it is ridiculous. Religion or belief in a supreme being is personal and not the business of anybody else. If your religion is so great, then set a good example and draw others to you that way. Converting people just seems so 13th Century, and probably the crudest method of trying to influence people.

— Robert Horst, Washington, D.C.

No. To attempt to convert another, one makes (silent/internal) assumptions about the other, most of which are negative and none of which may be true. Proselytizing is presumptuous and extremely rude.

— Carol Landberg, Surfside Beach, S.C.

In short: No. I am an atheist who was raised Catholic and one of my biggest problems with many organized religions is the idea that all people must believe and practice the same things or else they will suffer in the afterlife. Like any good piece of literature, religious texts are open to interpretation, and even if I don't agree with how another sees things, I respect them enough to not challenge beliefs that are central to their way of life. In faith, there should be no right or wrong — people who think so only create unnecessary conflict.

— Victoria Gilman, Alexandria