I Want To Convert To Your Religion...

[JustGeorge]

Well, I don't really, but I thought it would get your attention.

But how about somebody else? If someone tells you(for sake of conversation, we'll say someone you know at least a little bit)they want to convert to your religion(or abandon the one they have in favor of your disbelief), how would you take such a comment?

Its easy if you can tell the person is sincere, and has been heading that way for years, but what if you're doubtful? Does this person often 'religion shop'? Would you be offended for that person to adopt your religion if it may be temporary or self serving?

What if you feel its insincere? I knew someone that was a Catholic when he felt good in life, and an atheist when he felt things were going wrong. Would it be troublesome for you to watch the person flip-flop back and forth depending on mood?

Perhaps the person is unaware of what it really means to be (insert your religion here). Do you educate them, or encourage them to do more research?

Or do you jump up and down in joy and open them with open arms, and toss any concerns to the wind?

If the person merely is considering it, do you tell them just the more positive aspects in hopes they'll convert, or do you make sure they understand any difficult aspects of your religious beliefs?

 

[Vinayaka]

I go slowly. I've found a lot of folks act on whims, or at least talk on whims. Changing religion is no whim.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Well, I don't really, but I thought it would get your attention.

But how about somebody else? If someone tells you(for sake of conversation, we'll say someone you know at least a little bit)they want to convert to your religion(or abandon the one they have in favor of your disbelief), how would you take such a comment?

Its easy if you can tell the person is sincere, and has been heading that way for years, but what if you're doubtful? Does this person often 'religion shop'? Would you be offended for that person to adopt your religion if it may be temporary or self serving?

What if you feel its insincere? I knew someone that was a Catholic when he felt good in life, and an atheist when he felt things were going wrong. Would it be troublesome for you to watch the person flip-flop back and forth depending on mood?

Perhaps the person is unaware of what it really means to be (insert your religion here). Do you educate them, or encourage them to do more research?

Or do you jump up and down in joy and open them with open arms, and toss any concerns to the wind?

If the person merely is considering it, do you tell them just the more positive aspects in hopes they'll convert, or do you make sure they understand any difficult aspects of your religious beliefs?

I'd encourage people to stick with their religion untill they can't do it anymore.

I'd also encourage flip flopping. It's a good way to garner insight through experience.

As for my own practices, there's no need for explanation because everyone already has some experience and practice at the get go because it's the same things life entails.

 

[Revoltingest]

Become a Revoltifarian.
It's much like Bokononism, but you get a free toaster.

 

[Deeje]

Well, I don't really, but I thought it would get your attention.

But how about somebody else? If someone tells you(for sake of conversation, we'll say someone you know at least a little bit)they want to convert to your religion(or abandon the one they have in favor of your disbelief), how would you take such a comment?

Its easy if you can tell the person is sincere, and has been heading that way for years, but what if you're doubtful? Does this person often 'religion shop'? Would you be offended for that person to adopt your religion if it may be temporary or self serving?

What if you feel its insincere? I knew someone that was a Catholic when he felt good in life, and an atheist when he felt things were going wrong. Would it be troublesome for you to watch the person flip-flop back and forth depending on mood?

Perhaps the person is unaware of what it really means to be (insert your religion here). Do you educate them, or encourage them to do more research?

Or do you jump up and down in joy and open them with open arms, and toss any concerns to the wind?

If the person merely is considering it, do you tell them just the more positive aspects in hopes they'll convert, or do you make sure they understand any difficult aspects of your religious beliefs?

For those who express an interest in becoming one of Jehovah's Witnesses, there is criteria to fulfill before being accepted for baptism.....one important one is knowledge, because we are to be preachers and teachers, one with no qualifications could hardly fill that role in helping others. The whole point of spreading Christianity was to teach others to become teachers too.

Secondly, Jesus told us to expect the world's hatred, (John 15:18-21) so it requires some backbone and courage to face hostility in the world, and even within our family unit. (Matthew 10:34-36)

The person must be fully informed about all aspects of our beliefs and the responsibility that comes with Christian baptism.....it is not a meaningless ritual, or like joining a club......but more like a marriage ceremony with vows of dedication and faithfulness to Christ, his Father and to our commission.

Insincere people will not last long in those circumstances.....they will wilt quickly and find reasons to leave, usually blaming everyone but themselves.

 

[Dawnofhope]

Well, I don't really, but I thought it would get your attention.

But how about somebody else? If someone tells you(for sake of conversation, we'll say someone you know at least a little bit)they want to convert to your religion(or abandon the one they have in favor of your disbelief), how would you take such a comment?

Its easy if you can tell the person is sincere, and has been heading that way for years, but what if you're doubtful? Does this person often 'religion shop'? Would you be offended for that person to adopt your religion if it may be temporary or self serving?

What if you feel its insincere? I knew someone that was a Catholic when he felt good in life, and an atheist when he felt things were going wrong. Would it be troublesome for you to watch the person flip-flop back and forth depending on mood?

Perhaps the person is unaware of what it really means to be (insert your religion here). Do you educate them, or encourage them to do more research?

Or do you jump up and down in joy and open them with open arms, and toss any concerns to the wind?

If the person merely is considering it, do you tell them just the more positive aspects in hopes they'll convert, or do you make sure they understand any difficult aspects of your religious beliefs?

If someone genuinely believes Baha'u'llah to be a Prophet or Manifestation of God, they are already a Baha'i. Enrolment is just a formality. The Baha'i Assembly would want to have some assurance the declarant is sincere in their belief and has some basic understanding of what it means to be a Baha'i. On the whole we don't make it hard for people to enroll as Baha'is and we're always happy to have new members.

 

[JustGeorge]

Become a Revoltifarian.
It's much like Bokononism, but you get a free toaster.

What kind of toaster?

 

[Spirit of Light]

Well, I don't really, but I thought it would get your attention.

But how about somebody else? If someone tells you(for sake of conversation, we'll say someone you know at least a little bit)they want to convert to your religion(or abandon the one they have in favor of your disbelief), how would you take such a comment?

Its easy if you can tell the person is sincere, and has been heading that way for years, but what if you're doubtful? Does this person often 'religion shop'? Would you be offended for that person to adopt your religion if it may be temporary or self serving?

What if you feel its insincere? I knew someone that was a Catholic when he felt good in life, and an atheist when he felt things were going wrong. Would it be troublesome for you to watch the person flip-flop back and forth depending on mood?

Perhaps the person is unaware of what it really means to be (insert your religion here). Do you educate them, or encourage them to do more research?

Or do you jump up and down in joy and open them with open arms, and toss any concerns to the wind?

If the person merely is considering it, do you tell them just the more positive aspects in hopes they'll convert, or do you make sure they understand any difficult aspects of your religious beliefs?

If someone come to me and Said they wanted to become a muslim, i would ask og they would like to say the Shahadah.

The if yes, this is the word, if Said with true intention one have done the convertion

"Lā ʾIlāha ʾIllā Allah, Muḥammadun Rasūl Allah", meaning "There is no deity but God, Muhammad is the messenger of God".

 

[sun rise]

If someone were to say something like that, I'd suggest that person look at our web site and send an information request email to be handled by those who are familiar with the process.

 

[halbhh]

Well, I don't really, but I thought it would get your attention.

But how about somebody else? If someone tells you(for sake of conversation, we'll say someone you know at least a little bit)they want to convert to your religion(or abandon the one they have in favor of your disbelief), how would you take such a comment?

Its easy if you can tell the person is sincere, and has been heading that way for years, but what if you're doubtful? Does this person often 'religion shop'? Would you be offended for that person to adopt your religion if it may be temporary or self serving?

What if you feel its insincere? I knew someone that was a Catholic when he felt good in life, and an atheist when he felt things were going wrong. Would it be troublesome for you to watch the person flip-flop back and forth depending on mood?

Perhaps the person is unaware of what it really means to be (insert your religion here). Do you educate them, or encourage them to do more research?

Or do you jump up and down in joy and open them with open arms, and toss any concerns to the wind?

If the person merely is considering it, do you tell them just the more positive aspects in hopes they'll convert, or do you make sure they understand any difficult aspects of your religious beliefs?

Since the essence of Christianity is that God came down to stand in the way of the evils of the world -- our evils -- so that the binding and blinding power of evil on us would be broken for any that trust in Him...and we would be free from our prisons....

Not knowing if they know what Christianity really is, I'd ask them questions to find out what they don't yet know.

 

[Revoltingest]

What kind of toaster?

2-slice.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

Well, I don't really, but I thought it would get your attention.

But how about somebody else? If someone tells you(for sake of conversation, we'll say someone you know at least a little bit)they want to convert to your religion(or abandon the one they have in favor of your disbelief), how would you take such a comment?

Its easy if you can tell the person is sincere, and has been heading that way for years, but what if you're doubtful? Does this person often 'religion shop'? Would you be offended for that person to adopt your religion if it may be temporary or self serving?

What if you feel its insincere? I knew someone that was a Catholic when he felt good in life, and an atheist when he felt things were going wrong. Would it be troublesome for you to watch the person flip-flop back and forth depending on mood?

Perhaps the person is unaware of what it really means to be (insert your religion here). Do you educate them, or encourage them to do more research?

Or do you jump up and down in joy and open them with open arms, and toss any concerns to the wind?

If the person merely is considering it, do you tell them just the more positive aspects in hopes they'll convert, or do you make sure they understand any difficult aspects of your religious beliefs?

I've been in these conversations. Not that people really 'convert' to atheism, but people moving from their chosen religion to atheism, and asking my advice.
My advice varies, to be honest, but if I was going to draw an 'average' response for you, it would be that I'd recommend for people NOT to jump from a religion to atheism. I'd recommend for them to go through at least a period of 'unaffiliated' or 'unlabeled' or 'pure agnostic' or something.

On face value, going directly from belief to unbelief is kind of reactionary, moreso than anything. What's the rush?

 

[oldbadger]

Well, I don't really, but I thought it would get your attention.

But how about somebody else? If someone tells you(for sake of conversation, we'll say someone you know at least a little bit)they want to convert to your religion(or abandon the one they have in favor of your disbelief), how would you take such a comment?

Its easy if you can tell the person is sincere, and has been heading that way for years, but what if you're doubtful? Does this person often 'religion shop'? Would you be offended for that person to adopt your religion if it may be temporary or self serving?

What if you feel its insincere? I knew someone that was a Catholic when he felt good in life, and an atheist when he felt things were going wrong. Would it be troublesome for you to watch the person flip-flop back and forth depending on mood?

Perhaps the person is unaware of what it really means to be (insert your religion here). Do you educate them, or encourage them to do more research?

Or do you jump up and down in joy and open them with open arms, and toss any concerns to the wind?

If the person merely is considering it, do you tell them just the more positive aspects in hopes they'll convert, or do you make sure they understand any difficult aspects of your religious beliefs?

Hello JG......
Convert to Deism?

That's not a big deal, honestly. That would be like somebody telling me they've decided to recognise that they are an Earthling.

But Deism is not a religion so if this person wants to be something else as well, that's fine, as long as they understand that God's too big to be aware of this spec of dust ......

They can even follow Manchester United Football Club, only that would really be daft.

 

[JustGeorge]

That would be like somebody telling me they've decided to recognise that they are an Earthling.

I'm not ready for such recognitions yet...

 

[oldbadger]

I'm not ready for such recognitions yet...

Ah........ the Earthling bit is more important than the Deism bit.
Conversion to Earthling belief is fairly simple, please just go outside and try to leave Mother Earth without Nasa's help ...... jump! Now jump higher!

Now go inside and rest, 'cos jumping is tough..... well it is for me anyway.

Alright..,... we can do deals. You can stay a Hindu and still be a Deist, at least I think you can........ ask @Aupmanyav about that; or is he a Buddhist? Nope! He is Hindu..... I think.

 

[JustGeorge]

Ah........ the Earthling bit is more important than the Deism bit.
Conversion to Earthling belief is fairly simple, please just go outside and try to leave Mother Earth without Nasa's help ...... jump! Now jump higher!

Now go inside and rest, 'cos jumping is tough..... well it is for me anyway.

Alright..,... we can do deals. You can stay a Hindu and still be a Deist, at least I think you can........ ask @Aupmanyav about that; or is he a Buddhist? Nope! He is Hindu..... I think.

I will wait to test this out after waking... its 1am here. I've already attracted enough attention in the neighborhood for one day.

 

[stvdv]

Well, I don't really, but I thought it would get your attention.

But how about somebody else? If someone tells you(for sake of conversation, we'll say someone you know at least a little bit)they want to convert to your religion

I tell them all the "bad" stories I know, give them all negative links on the internet, and if (s)he is still interested ... what can I do? Must be God's Plan!

 

[Aupmanyav]

Alright..,... we can do deals. You can stay a Hindu and still be a Deist, at least I think you can........ ask @Aupmanyav about that; or is he a Buddhist? Nope! He is Hindu..... I think.

Deism works in Hinduism. You accept something as God but do not define it. Same as the Concept of Brahman in Hinduism and 'Ek Onkar' in Sikhism.
However, Aupmanyav is a strong atheist Advaitist (believer in non-duality) orthodox Hindu. Please note all words used here are important for me.
I am not a Buddhist, but I have learnt much from Buddha. He is my guru.

 

[oldbadger]

Deism works in Hinduism. You accept something as God but do not define it. Same as the Concept of Brahman in Hinduism and 'Ek Onkar' in Sikhism.
However, Aupmanyav is a strong atheist Advaitist (believer in non-duality) orthodox Hindu. Please note all words used here are important for me.
I am not a Buddhist, but I have learnt much from Buddha. He is my guru.

Ah....... so you can see how little I know about Hindu.
I did read a book about Siddhartha Gautama many years ago, and that is all I know about Buddhism. But I do cling to concepts such as 'need little, want for little, yearn for nothing'.

I must learn more about Buddhism Aup..... starting today.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Sure, Buddha was much wiser for the time when he lived. For many Hindus he is the ninth and the latest avatara of Lord Vishnu (Buddhists differ, Buddha also would not have accepted that). But the concept that you mention is not an exclusive Buddhist concept, it is an Indian concept. Mahavira of the Jains even abandoned wearing clothes and walked barefoot. He was the Che Guevara of religions, practiced what he preached. Lord Krishna said in Gita:

"yaḥ sarvatra anabhisnehas, tat tat prāpya śubha aśubham;
na abhinandati na dveṣṭi, tasya prajñā pratiṣṭhitā." BG 2.57

In the material world, one who is satisfied with whatever good or evil may come his way without desiring, neither praising it nor despising it, is firmly fixed in perfect knowledge.

Digambar (sky-clad) Jain Monks walking barefoot. The only things that they carry is a gourd for water and a broom for clearing the insects from the place where they put their feet so that none is killed. They beg food only at one house-hold in the afternoon when people would have had their lunch, and accept as much as comes in their palms and no second helping. Jains are some of the most educated (near 100% literacy) and rich people in India. Many abandon their family, worldly riches, to become monks (note: there is another sect of jain monks who wear a cloth, Shwetambaras - wearing white).

Spoiler: Nudity