Religion Question

[dcentity2000]

Is it right or appropriate for anyone to impress their religious beliefs on another? I mean, for instance, a Jehovah's Witness visiting a random home and trying to tell the resident about their religion.

Thoughts? I'd hold that impressing religion is immoral as it should be up to the individual to make up their own mind based on their own research.



Rich::

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Can't answer "right" or "wrong", that is relative to the people involved.

Some people will tell you that hate it, immoral, or annoying.

Some people may say it saved their life.

Some people get medical/educational help in the form of missionary work, while maybe not converting, they accept the religion part as part of a trade off.

I do not agree with labeling it as immoral, more annoying or in some cases interesting depending on the converter.

 

[GrowingUpDisney]

I think IMPOSING your beliefs on someone is wrong; however, I believe I, as a Christian, am commanded by God to reach a lost and dying world. There are thousands of ways to do that though. I do not think that knocking on random folks doors is one of those ways. I believe the Holy Spirit will guide you to the people you are to share your faith with and that person will want the information being offerred...therefore not feeling like they are being IMPOSED on.

Just my 2 cents...

 

[ZephyrHawk]

Part of being able to make an informed decision is hearing the opinions of others. This is the essence of free speech. By allowing ourselves to engage in open and friendly discourse about a number of things (religion, politics, WDW vacation strategies) we hope to arrive at a decision which is the best possible option for those participating. If you do not want to be "impressed", you won't be. If you're not interested, it's perfectly acceptable to say "No thanks." However, there are people out there who are interested in shopping for a religion, just as others are interested in shopping for a political candidate to back. They're undecided, and some friendly talk might help steer them to their correct decision.

Jehovah's Witnesses have been at the heart of some of our country's greatest legal battles. Although their presence on our doorsteps may not always be appreciated, all American's owe them a debt of gratitute for sticking to their beliefs and helping to provide us with the broad speech rights we have today.

Off soap box now.

What you should be asking is, "Is it right for parents to force their chosen religion upon their children, without giving them any exposure to alternatives?" I was raised in something of a religious vacuum, and I feel it is one of the things my parents did really right.

 

[Talking Hands]

Is it right or appropriate for anyone to impress their religious beliefs on another? I mean, for instance, a Jehovah's Witness visiting a random home and trying to tell the resident about their religion.
Thoughts? I'd hold that impressing religion is immoral as it should be up to the individual to make up their own mind based on their own research.
Rich::

As far as I am concerned they are free to witness as long as they are willing to accept "I'm not interested, thank you." and gracefully leave. Up to the point I indicate I am not interested they are only doing what is asked of them in the Bible. Once I say I am not interested, if they continue, they are stepping on my rights to my beliefs.

 

[pearlieq]

I'm pretty committed to that whole "free speech" thing, so I think a JW or anyone who feels compelled to evangelize is within their rights to do so.

Of course I strongly prefer it when they take "no thanks" for an answer and leave peaceably and quickly! I don't think door to door soliticitations are any more imposing than Girl Scouts selling cookies or someone trying to get me to sealcoat my driveway.

They're free to offer, and as long as I'm free to turn it down, no harm done!

 

[believe]

I don't think I would consider that impressing their religious beliefs on someone, the individual can always say no thank you...not answer....or just close the door. Now if someone comes to the door in a demanding nature and won't take no for an answer that is another story.

My belief does not believe in gambling, this includes raffle tickets. Do I feel individuals are impressing their belief that it is okay when they come door to door or stand outside stores asking, No. I have the right to say, "No thank you" and move on or close the door.

 

[dg39]

I don't like it one bit. I would never in a million years try to convince anyone to join my religion. Even if someone asks about it, I would tell them some things but thats only if they ask.

I try very hard never to discuss my religion with people who believe differently than me.

Most of our friends are of the same faith, but, some are not and to tell you the truth religion very, very rarely comes up during conversations.

 

[reeeoga]

Is it right or appropriate for anyone to impress their religious beliefs on another? I mean, for instance, a Jehovah's Witness visiting a random home and trying to tell the resident about their religion.

Thoughts? I'd hold that impressing religion is immoral as it should be up to the individual to make up their own mind based on their own research.



Rich::

That research may include the JW coming to their door.

If someone tries to inform another of their religion, I don't think that is an imposition. If someone tells someone "Convert or else" that is an attempt at imposition. Those are 2 very different things.

 

[Northstar]

If people are willing to give me an equal chance to impress them with my beliefs, that's okay with me.

But the trouble is that most people who evangelize in this way have a one-way agenda.... they really are not prepared to engage in a dialogue and are not interested in opening their minds to hear about other beliefs. So I treat them, just as other people have said, as I treat any person who wants to sell me something... I say "no thanks" politely. I see no reason why I should be a captive audience just because they want to witness for their faith.

 

[MAKmom]

The Dalai Lama says

" I feel that no one has the right to impose his or her beliefs on another person. I will not propose to you that my way is best."

I think it is fine to share your views but not impose them.

 

[cardaway]

The Dalai Lama says

" I feel that no one has the right to impose his or her beliefs on another person. I will not propose to you that my way is best."

I think it is fine to share your views but not impose them.

Personally I feel it's down right rude. There's no away around the fact that the person coming to your door feels you are less of a person unless you agree that their way is right. How would you feel if anybody did that on any other topic?

But those that do it, or defend it, will never admit that it's rude and totally uneccesary given our modern world.

But since this has been done to death I'm going to leave it that and just grab a bucket.

 

[Kath2003]

I don't mind people asking me if they can tell me about their belief (which is what our local Jehovah's witnesses do).

I mind people who ignore it when I tell them I am not interested in changing my beliefs, suggest that I don't know anything about what they're about to tell me and that I am arrogant towards the beliefs of other religions. If you're going to suggest that, how about I suggest that you don't know anything about my beliefs and are arrogant towards the beliefs of myself and those of other religions?

 

[ford family]

That research may include the JW coming to their door.

If someone tries to inform another of their religion, I don't think that is an imposition. If someone tells someone "Convert or else" that is an attempt at imposition. Those are 2 very different things.

Yes they are two very different things; the second one is threatening behaviour, the first one is an imposition.
If I am working at my desk or having a meal or even relaxing with a newspaper and I have to get up and answer the door because some fruitcake wants to share with me this wonderful "truth" which is, in reality, absolute hogwash then that is definitely an imposition.

ford family

 

[ford family]

I don't mind people asking me if they can tell me about their belief (which is what our local Jehovah's witnesses do).

I mind people who ignore it when I tell them I am not interested in changing my beliefs, suggest that I don't know anything about what they're about to tell me and that I am arrogant towards the beliefs of other religions. If you're going to suggest that, how about I suggest that you don't know anything about my beliefs and are arrogant towards the beliefs of myself and those of other religions?

Hey, what are you doing on this thread, shouldn't you be working on your dissertation? Or is it finished already?

ford family

 

[Kath2003]

Hey, what are you doing on this thread, shouldn't you be working on your dissertation? Or is it finished already?

ford family

OMG stop stalking me!!!!!!

I'm on it. Actually I'm not. I'm still too hungover to think straight..but I'll try.

You'll be in my PM's and adding me on MSN next

 

[Keli]

Is it right or appropriate for anyone to impress their religious beliefs on another? I mean, for instance, a Jehovah's Witness visiting a random home and trying to tell the resident about their religion.

Thoughts? I'd hold that impressing religion is immoral as it should be up to the individual to make up their own mind based on their own research.



Rich::

I'm shocked you would feel this is actually immoral. I would argue the exact opposite in fact.
If a Jehovah's Witness believes I will go to hell and burn for all eternity unless I follow their religious beliefs then I think it would be absolutely immoral of them to let me go on my way, unknowing of the eternal damnation in my future. I would argue they have a moral obligation to at least warn me.
Having said that, I've been known to pretend I wasn't home when they come to the door
But that is because I know at least a portion of what they believe and after my own research I do not agree with it. But I do appreciate the concern for my soul.

 

[Galahad]

Is it right or appropriate for anyone to impress their religious beliefs on another? I mean, for instance, a Jehovah's Witness visiting a random home and trying to tell the resident about their religion.

Thoughts? I'd hold that impressing religion is immoral as it should be up to the individual to make up their own mind based on their own research.



Rich::

You're saying that telling somebody about your religion is immoral??? Is telling somebody about the great rock band you heard last night immoral?

 

[dcentity2000]

You're saying that telling somebody about your religion is immoral??? Is telling somebody about the great rock band you heard last night immoral?

Nah, what I'm contesting is that IMPRESSING one's beliefs is immoral. INFORMING about one's beliefs is another, far more agreeable thing.



Rich::

 

[Galahad]

There's no away around the fact that the person coming to your door feels you are less of a person unless you agree that their way is right.

Actually, to people for whom witnessing in this way in key to their life, it's pretty much the opposite. If they really felt someone was less of a person, then why bother with them? How it makes you feel is to relevant to their intent.

For the record, I am a practicing Christian who is very turned off by stuff like that. When they come to my door I say no thank you and close the door before they are even able to start. Even when their aims are sincere, the approach doesn't further them IMO.