It's pretty simple really. Christians believe non-Christians are going to Hell. They don't want you to go to Hell. So they want you to be Christians.

Atheist don't try to convert people because they don't believe anything bad will happen if one chooses not to be an athiest.

I don't know why anyone would get all bent out of shape about it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stop generalizing please. Thanks. I am catholic and have never spoken to anyone about my beliefs unasked. I'd never try to convert anyone. Neither would any Christian I know. It's mostly the American 'saved' Christians that do this stuff...not all Christians.

If you aren't saved , why on Earth would you waste time being a Christian ?

Not PP, but because I don't subscribe to decision theology. God's grace is free, a gift. There is nothing I need to do, or can do, to receive it.

God's grace enables me to live as Christ commanded.

Oh, and I don't proselytize.

Those who seek to convert base it on this verse in the Bible where Christ commanded his apostles:

Mark 16:15-16 (King James Version)

15. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

16. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Although it was addressed specifically to the apostles, some Christians - and especially the evangelicals - view it as applying to all Christians.

The problem is that - like many other things in the Bible - there is selectivity as to what is sacrosanct and what should not be taken literally and what is open to interpretation.

I am Catholic and constantly try to get converted by other christians. Our neighborhood is within walking distance to a Jehovah Witness church and they have a mission to walk on foot and preach the bible door to door. I deal with them at least once a week, if not more. They always want to share the bible with me and I always politely decline and they ALWAYS leave without an issue. Don't have a problem with them. Now this is what I can't stand ... my daughters dance team has two evangelical moms who are always trying to talk about their salvation and asking if we can pray "for the girls." I don't mind general prayer for I can bow down my head and be silent for a minute or two but this is not what they do. I get really annoyed when these ladies ver into a whole "god save our souls, god we pray for your redemption of our children, god we can't do anything without you, god you are the ultimate being for we are servants to you, please save those who aren't saved (plug in awkward stare in my direction here), etc etc. I always think its an odd tactic to claim eternal hell if you don't come to my mega church...is that really how they get members?

Really?? Always??
Grow up.

Not all Christians are evangelicals. Evangelicals are the ones who are pests like this.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stop generalizing please. Thanks. I am catholic and have never spoken to anyone about my beliefs unasked. I'd never try to convert anyone. Neither would any Christian I know. It's mostly the American 'saved' Christians that do this stuff...not all Christians.

If you aren't saved , why on Earth would you waste time being a Christian ?

NP here: Interesting question, PP. Empathy is what will help you understand, even if you don't agree with, other people's choices.

If your soul isn't saved by Christ, there are a lot more interesting, stylish and entertaining clubs to belong to other than a Christian church lol.

^ bible distribution, missionary , deathbed evangelism .

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stop generalizing please. Thanks. I am catholic and have never spoken to anyone about my beliefs unasked. I'd never try to convert anyone. Neither would any Christian I know. It's mostly the American 'saved' Christians that do this stuff...not all Christians.

If you aren't saved , why on Earth would you waste time being a Christian ?

NP here: Interesting question, PP. Empathy is what will help you understand, even if you don't agree with, other people's choices.

It's the parable Christ told of the master who was furious with the servant who took what he was given and buried it but did not multiply it. Christ demands evangelism which comes in different forms (preaching, web blogs, charity, inner city catholic schools , doctors without borders, evangelizing , youth surfing trips with bible study, loving Christian comments on message boards and living a life that glorifies God.)

Anonymous wrote:Stop generalizing please. Thanks. I am catholic and have never spoken to anyone about my beliefs unasked. I'd never try to convert anyone. Neither would any Christian I know. It's mostly the American 'saved' Christians that do this stuff...not all Christians.

If you aren't saved , why on Earth would you waste time being a Christian ?

I have to say, OP, that no Christian has ever tried to convert me. I have heard of missionary groups, however, but I think there's a subgroup of people in every faith that probably do this. Maybe you had a disproportionate share of Christians trying to convert you but I think it's universal.

Moreover, look at it from their perspective. They think they are saving you. You and I may realize we do not need saving, but thats what they have been taught to believe. So from their standpoint, it's well intentioned and out of concern for us, as much as you may find it annoying.

Just say, "No thanks!"

Stop generalizing please. Thanks. I am catholic and have never spoken to anyone about my beliefs unasked. I'd never try to convert anyone. Neither would any Christian I know. It's mostly the American 'saved' Christians that do this stuff...not all Christians.

they are trained to by their churches, it's part of the doctrine. also, some athiests are Really Big Fish and it is prestigious to be the one to lead them to the church.

This has bugged me for some time. I'm a closeted atheist and I don't go around telling others my beliefs unsolicited. So, it's not like I'm inviting debate or enticing someone to convince me otherwise but I've run into a few Christians that want to invite me to a bible study, give me literature from their church, or make sure I'm saved. I don't see this with other religions. I never had a Jew try to convert me. Any ideas why?