Duty to Convert

[James R]

If you're religious, do you feel that you have a duty to try to convince other people to join your faith? Why, or why not? Is it more important to convert non-believers, or people of other religions?

If you're atheist or agnostic, do you feel it is your duty to try to bring the religious around to your point of view? Why, or why not?

 

[(Q)]

I wouldn’t think it is my duty to convert people to my way of thinking. As long as their beliefs did not interfere with my life, I could care less what others believe even though I do spend the time questioning their beliefs on this forum. I would prefer the term 'educate' as opposed to convert.

Unfortunately, the religious beliefs of others do have an effect on other people’s lives, so we are forced to address this issue regardless of how much we would simply like to ignore it.

Mankind will never begin to shed its ignorance until it eradicates religion.

 

[Medicine*Woman]

Mankind will never begin to shed its ignorance until it eradicates religion.

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M*W: I think there should be another category for spirituality along with the religious, atheists and agnostics. Converting people to what I believe isn't necessary. The only important thing is to deconvert Christians through re-education of the truth.

 

[(Q)]

I think there should be another category for spirituality along with the religious

I agree, 'spirituality' is another form of ignorance that hinders rational thought.

 

[okinrus]

No, it's not my duty to directly convert or force someone to believe. Thus, Paul says that he plants, waters, and brings the message of light, but only God grows. Nevertheless, while we have a mission to evangelize, it is not everyone's mission to preach or, for that matter, even teach, because our actions will teach far more than words. While someone could say, "feed the poor," the teaching is further ingrained by someone actually feeding the poor.

 

[Cowboy]

Converting people to what I believe isn't necessary. The only important thing is to deconvert Christians through re-education of the truth.

I'm still waiting to hear this "truth".

And yet another hypocritical comment about Christianity. It's not necessary to convert people to what you believe but, in your opinion, the only important thing is to convert Christians to what you believe about their faith?

 

[Neurocomp2003]

if your religious ...i'd say its not your duty to convert but g
come up with a decent argument then its all faith when confronted
with someone who is trying to convert you.

Whats the word agnostic mean again(not sure of god or don't care?)?
but as an atheist...(most of the people i know who are like to argue logically anyways) I think you would try to make people see why you dont' believe
and to ask them why they do.

 

[James R]

Not too many replies from the religious, so far.

To the atheists and agnostics: why do you spend so much time on this forum trying to convince people there is no God? If you don't feel the need to convert people, do you just do it for fun? Or to see what reaction you get? Or what?

 

[Vienna]

Not too many replies from the religious, so far.

Silence speaks volumes - religion is dying and Islam will be smothered with secularism.

 

[otheadp]

either that or the fundies don't wanna admit anything

 

[Jenyar]

People convert themselves.

But faith is as impossible to hide as a bird that has been freed from its cage. There will always be those who try to catch it, but there are always people who want to open their own cages.

 

[Proud_Muslim]

Not too many replies from the religious, so far.

Sorry James, it took my some time to notice your thread, I am very busy refuting lies and clearing misconceptions in other threads.

Anyway, back to you question, here is my answer:

Islam does not tell us that we have a duty as such to convert people to Islam, Islam tells us to make people aware of Allah Almighty, but never forcing them to convert or making it a duty:

''There is no compulsion in religion, for the right way is clearly from the wrong way. Whoever therefore rejects the forces of evil and believes in God, he has taken hold of a support most unfailing, which shall never give way, for God is All Hearing and Knowing'' The Noble Quran 2:256

''But if they turn away from you, (O Prophet remember that) your only duty is a clear delivery of the Message (entrusted to you) '' The Noble Quran 16:82

''Yet if God had so willed, they would not have ascribed Divinity to aught besides him; hence, We have not made you their keeper, nor are you (of your own choice) a guardian over them'' The Noble Quran 6:107

''And tell my servants that they should speak in a most kindly manner (unto those who do not share their beliefs). Verily, Satan is always ready to stir up discord between men; for verily; Satan is mans foe .... Hence, We have not sent you (Unto men O Prophet) with power to determine their Faith'' The Noble Quran 17:53-54

And here is the Most Amazing indication of religious Freedom in Islam:

The Noble Quran:109. Al-Kâfirûn ( disbelievers ) :

In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful:

1. Say (O Muhammad (Peace be upon him)to these Mushrikûn and Kâfirûn): "O Al-Kâfirûn (disbelievers in Allâh, in His Oneness, in His Angels, in His Books, in His Messengers, in the Day of Resurrection, and in Al-Qadar, etc.)!

2. "I worship not that which you worship,

3. "Nor will you worship that which I worship.

4. "And I shall not worship that which you are worshipping.

5. "Nor will you worship that which I worship.

6. "To you be your religion, and to me my religion (Islâmic Monotheism)."

http://www.ummah.net/what-is-islam/quran/neindex.htm

 

[Vienna]

AND HERE IS A FEW MORE FOR YOU PROUD MUSLIM


Direct quotes from the Quran:

ANNOUNCE PAINFUL PUNISHMENT TO THOSE WHO DISBELIEVE (9:3)

O Prophet! urge the believers to war; if there are twenty patient ones of you they shall overcome two hundred... (8:65)

Surely the vilest of animals in Allah's sight are those who disbelieve (8:55)

And fight with them until there is no more persecution and religion should be only for Allah (8:39)

When the sacred months have passed away, THEN SLAY THE IDOLATERS WHEREVER YOU FIND THEM, AND TAKE THEM CAPTIVES AND BESIEGE THEM AND LIE IN WAIT FOR THEM IN EVERY AMBUSH, then if they repent and keep up prayer [become believers] and pay the poor-rate, leave their way free to them (9:5)

And if they intend to act unfaithfully towards you, so indeed they acted unfaithfully towards Allah before, but He GAVE YOU MASTERY OVER THEM (8:71)

FIGHT THEM: ALLAH WILL PUNISH THEM BY YOUR HANDS AND BRING THEM TO DISGRACE, AND ASSIST YOU AGAINST THEM. (9:14)

FIGHT THOSE WHO DO NOT BELIEVE IN ALLAH, nor in the latter day, nor do they prohibit what Allah and His Messenger have prohibited, NOR FOLLOW THE RELIGION OF TRUTH, OUT OF THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE BOOK [Christians and Jews], until they pay the tax in acknowledgment of superiority and THEY ARE IN A STATE OF SUBJECTION. (9:29)

O Prophet! strive hard against the unbelievers and the hypocrites and be unyielding to them; and their abode is hell, and evil is the destination. (9:73)

O you who believe! fight those of the unbelievers who are near to you and let them find in you hardness; and know that Allah is with those who guard (against evil). (9:123)

I WILL CAST TERROR INTO THE HEARTS OF THOSE WHO DISBELIEVE. THEREFORE STRIKE OFF THEIR HEADS AND STRIKE OFF EVERY FINGERTIP OF THEM. THIS IS BECAUSE THEY ACTED ADVERSELY TO ALLAH AND HIS MESSENGER; AND WHOEVER ACTS ADVERSELY TO ALLAH AND HIS MESSENGER - THEN SURELY ALLAH IS SEVERE IN REQUITING (EVIL). THIS - TASTE IT, AND (KNOW) THAT FOR THE UNBELIEVERS IS THE PUNISHMENT OF FIRE. O you who believe! When you meet those who disbelieve marching for war, then turn not your backs to them. And whoever shall turn his back to them on that day - unless he turn aside for the sake of fighting or withdraws to a company - then he, indeed, becomes deserving of Allah's wrath, and his abode is hell; and an evil destination shall it be. So you did not slay them, but it was Allah Who slew them and you did not smite when you smote (the enemy) but it was Allah Who smote, and that He might confer upon the believers a good gift from Himself; (8:12-17)

And that you should judge between them by what Allah has revealed, and do not follow their low desires, and be cautious of them, lest they seduce you from part of what Allah has revealed to you; but if they turn back, then know that Allah desires to afflict them on account of some of their faults; and most surely many of the people are transgressors. Is it then the judgment of the times of ignorance that they desire: and who is better than Allah to judge for a people who are sure? O YOU WHO BELIEVE! DO NOT TAKE THE JEWS AND THE CHRISTIANS FOR FRIENDS; THEY ARE FRIENDS OF EACH OTHER; AND WHOEVER AMONGST YOU TAKES THEM FOR A FRIEND, THEN SURELY HE IS ONE OF THEM; SURELY ALLAH DOES NOT GUIDE THE UNJUST PEOPLE. (5:49-51)

The punishment of those who pit themselves against Allah and His Messenger and strive to make mischief in the land is only this, that they should be murdered or crucified or their hands and their feet should be cut off on opposite sides or they should be imprisoned; this shall be as a disgrace for them in this world, and in the hereafter they shall have a grievous chastisement, except those who repent before you have them in your power (5:33-34)

Believe therefore in Allah and His apostles, and say not, Three. Desist, it is better for you; Allah is only one god: far be it from his glory that He should have a son. (4:171)

What is the matter with you, then, that you have become two parties about the hypocrites, while Allah has made them return (to unbelief) for what they have earned? Do you wish to guide him whom Allah has caused to err? And whomsoever Allah causes to err, you shall by no means find a way for him. THEY DESIRE THAT YOU SHOULD DISBELIEVE AS THEY HAVE DISBELIEVED, SO THAT YOU MIGHT BE ALL ALIKE; THEREFORE TAKE NOT FROM AMONG THEM FRIENDS UNTIL THEY FLY THEIR HOMES IN ALLAH'S WAY; BUT IF THEY TURN BACK, THEN SEIZE THEM AND KILL THEM WHEREVER YOU FIND THEM, AND TAKE NOT FROM AMONG THEM A FRIEND OR A HELPER. (4:89)

As for those who disbelieve in Our communications, We shall make them enter fire; so oft as their skins are thoroughly burned, We will change them for other skins, that they may taste the punishment (4:56)

Surely they who disbelieve in the communications of Allah - they shall have a severe punishment; and Allah is Mighty, the lord of retribution. (3:4)

Allah 's Apostle said, " I have been ordered to fight with the people till they say, 'None has the right to be worshipped but Allah,' and whoever says, None has the right to be worshipped but Allah,' his life and property will be saved by me except for Islamic law, and his accounts will be with Allah, (either to punish him or to forgive him.)" (Hadith 4:52:196)

Allah's Apostles said, "When a slave (of Allah) commits illegal sexual intercourse, he is not a believer at the time of committing it; and if he steals, he is not a believer at the time of stealing; and if he drinks an alcoholic drink, when he is not a believer at the time of drinking it; and he is not a believer when he commits a murder," 'Ikrima said: I asked Ibn Abbas, "How is faith taken away from him?" He said, Like this," by clasping his hands and then separating them, and added, "But if he repents, faith returns to him like this, by clasping his hands again. (Hadith 8:82:800e) [So, with the clap of a hand, they can do whatever they want?]

The Prophet said, "The one who commits an illegal sexual intercourse is not a believer at the time of committing illegal sexual intercourse and a thief is not a believer at the time of committing theft and a drinker of alcoholic drink is not a believer at the time of drinking. Yet, (the gate of) repentance is open thereafter." (Hadith 8:82:801)

(Isolated incident) ...then prostrated himself, and all who were with him prostrated too. But an old man took a handful of dust and touched his forehead with it saying, "This is sufficient for me." Later on I saw him killed as an infidel. (Hadith 5:59:311)

[yes the Jews and Muslims are both descendents of Abraham, but here is the attitude towards descendants of Abraham through Isaac (the Jews]: "If they find you, they will be your enemies, and will stretch forth towards you their hands and their tongues with evil, and they ardently desire that you may disbelieve. Your relationship would not profit you, nor your children, on the day of resurrection; He will decide between you; and Allah sees what you do. Indeed, there is for you a good example in Abraham and those with him when they said to their people: Surely we are clear of you and of what you serve besides Allah; WE DECLARE OURSELVES TO BE CLEAR OF YOU, AND ENMITY AND HATRED HAVE APPEARED BETWEEN US AND YOU FOREVER UNTIL YOU BELIEVE IN ALLAH ALONE (60:2-4)

 

[guthrie]

I'm agnostic, and only feel the need to proselytise when being preached to. Live and let live and all that.

 

[Ozymandias]

I feel no need to assimilate anyone into my school of thought.

 

[James R]

Vienna:

I'm assuming yours is the single vote so far which says "Yes, it is my duty to convert everybody to my religion."

Am I right?

 

[Jenyar]

What about another option:
Since it's possible that sincerity and love from my part can affect other people's lives - just as love can move people to each other - so the testimony of God's love can move people towards God.

People will decide for themselves whether they need/want a relationship with God and will accept His love or not, but as someone who needs and has received such love myself, mere honesty and gratitude demands that I at least testify about it's source.

 

[Vienna]

Vienna:

I'm assuming yours is the single vote so far which says "Yes, it is my duty to convert everybody to my religion."

Am I right?

James

With reference to:- "Religion is dying and Islam will be smothered with secularism."

No, this is my opinion only. I don't want to even think about the task or trouble of converting others to my way of thinking. If I influence anyone then it will be their wish and their choice to understand and appreciate my point of view. By the same token it is their right to disagree with me. Either way I'm not bothered because it's only my opinion and not my intention to influence.

If you must know, I voted for:
"No. Although I am an atheist/agnostic, I don't feel a duty to convert anybody."

 

[SwedishFish]

you forgot to include 'regardless of belief i think it is morally reprehensible to convert anyone' in your poll

mind your bidness. beliefs are highly personal. unless someone asks, keep your mouth shut. the historical consequences of conversion attempts should be enough to deter any sane reasonable person from it.
this is why i hate jehovah's witnesses. one saturday morning i decided it would be more worth my time to start preaching catholicism then to try to get them to leave. gave them a taste of their own medicine instead.

 

[alain]

Do you feel a duty to convert people to your beliefs?
i think its equally my duty to be converted by other people
If everyone talks and no-one listens, we're all wasting our time