Deathbed conversions

[Ori]

Do they count or are they just cheating?

 

[ChristineES]

They count if they are in truth.

 

[Bishka]

Do they count or are they just cheating?

Honestly, I've always been wary of deathbed conversions. Someone who spends their whole life not obeying God and then suddenly on their deathbed; wanting to cover all bases; converts? That has always seemed suspicious to me. All in all though, I can say that only God knows the truth intent of their hearts.

 

[kmkemp]

Yes.

See the thief on the cross.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

You can not cheat God....
It does not matter in the slightest what we might think.
God knows the truth.

 

[JayHawes]

I dont see how anyone can view such as cheating. No one knows when they are going to die, or if they'll be able to convert because some die slow and many die fast. It matters not whether or not men and women convert during death, but whether they truly believe and accept Christ- it's not cheating it's faith.

There's nothing good about iving a sinful life and trying to wait latter to accpet Jesus.

 

[slabbey06]

Often it takes the reality of death and facing it for a person to take seriously who they are and who Jesus Christ is. So when a person is "converted" on their deathbed, I rejoice!

 

[Sahar]

"Of no effect is the repentance of those who continue to do evil, until death faces one of them, and he says, "Now have I repented indeed;" nor of those who die rejecting Faith: for them have We prepared a punishment most grievous." Holy Quran (Women, verse:18)
The verse is very clear!

 

[markburke1]

A person can be saved on their deathbed, if there is true repentance.

If they were to continue to live they would live for Christ and return to sin and wrong doing! The perfect example is the thief on the cross!!!

 

[Aqualung]

Yes.

See the thief on the cross.

How do you know that was a deathbed conversion? Christ was up on that cross wrongfully. Why are you so quick to assume that the theif's verdict was legitamit? Furthermore, why do you think it is a deathbed conversion if the guy was so knowledgeable that he would be able to tell those around him that they were mocking the son of God?

 

[Vassal]

How do you know that was a deathbed conversion? Christ was up on that cross wrongfully. Why are you so quick to assume that the theif's verdict was legitamit? Furthermore, why do you think it is a deathbed conversion if the guy was so knowledgeable that he would be able to tell those around him that they were mocking the son of God?

The thief says he is suffering justly:

Luke 23:41 (NASB) "And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong."

"Deathbed conversions" are possible, but if you're specifically trying to wait until your deathbed to repent, then the likelihood of your repentance being sincere is pretty much non-existent.

 

[Prometheus]

Deathbed conversions are support for the theory that people are religious because they fear death.

 

[gnostic]

Fear is the factor for such conversion. Not the greatest motives for such change.

 

[Aqualung]

The thief says he is suffering justly:
"Deathbed conversions" are possible, but if you're specifically trying to wait until your deathbed to repent, then the likelihood of your repentance being sincere is pretty much non-existent.

Oh, yeah. I forgot about that. And yet, how do you know it wasn't a deathbed conversion? All people sin. He could have been a fairly righteous man, but just made one mistake and, as luck would have it, he got caught for this one mistake. The question still stands: How do you know this conversion was a deathbed conversion?

 

[Don Penguinoini]

Well, no. They havent lived a life dedicating service to their faith. So no. you should have hada poll.

 

[Booko]

How often hath a sinner attained, at the hour of death, to the essence of faith, and, quaffing the immortal draught, hath taken his flight unto the Concourse on high! And how often hath a devout believer, at the hour of his soul's ascension, been so changed as to fall into the nethermost fire!
(Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 265)

Here's the fuller context, for those interested:

CXXV. O My brother! When a true seeker determineth to take the step of search in the path leading unto the knowledge of the Ancient of Days, he must, before all else, cleanse his heart, which is the seat of the revelation of the inner mysteries of God, from the obscuring dust of all acquired knowledge, and the allusions of the embodiments of satanic fancy. He must purge his breast, which is the sanctuary of the abiding love of the Beloved, of every defilement, and sanctify his soul from all that pertaineth to water and clay, from all shadowy and ephemeral attachments. He must so cleanse his heart that no remnant of either love or hate may linger therein, lest that love blindly incline him to error, or that hate repel him away from the truth. Even as thou dost witness in this Day how most of the people, because of such love and hate, are bereft of the immortal Face, have strayed far from the Embodiments of the Divine mysteries, and, shepherdless, are roaming through the wilderness of oblivion and error.

That seeker must, at all times, put his trust in God, must renounce the peoples of the earth, must detach himself from the world of dust, and cleave unto Him Who is the Lord of Lords. He must never seek to exalt himself above any one, must wash away from the tablet of his heart every trace of pride and vain-glory, must cling unto patience and resignation, observe silence and refrain from idle talk. For the tongue is a smoldering fire, and excess of speech a deadly poison. Material fire consumeth the body, whereas the fire of the tongue devoureth both heart and soul. The force of the former lasteth but for a time, whilst the effects of the latter endureth a century.

That seeker should, also, regard backbiting as grievous error, and keep himself aloof from its dominion, inasmuch as backbiting quencheth the light of the heart, and extinguisheth the life of the soul. He should be content with little, and be freed from all inordinate desire. He should treasure the companionship of them that have renounced the world, and regard avoidance of boastful and worldly people a precious benefit. At the dawn of every day he should commune with God, and, with all his soul, persevere in the quest of his Beloved. He should consume every wayward thought with the flame of His loving mention, and, with the swiftness of lightning, pass by all else save Him. He should succor the dispossessed, and never withhold his favor from the destitute. He should show kindness to animals, how much more unto his fellow-man, to him who is endowed with the power of utterance. He should not hesitate to offer up his life for his Beloved, nor allow the censure of the people to turn him away from the Truth. He should not wish for others that which he doth not wish for himself, nor promise that which he doth not fulfil. With all his heart he should avoid fellowship with evil-doers, and pray for the remission of their sins. He should forgive the sinful, and never despise his low estate, for none knoweth what his own end shall be. How often hath a sinner attained, at the hour of death, to the essence of faith, and, quaffing the immortal draught, hath taken his flight unto the Concourse on high! And how often hath a devout believer, at the hour of his soul's ascension, been so changed as to fall into the nethermost fire!

Our purpose in revealing these convincing and weighty utterances is to impress upon the seeker that he should regard all else beside God as transient, and count all things save Him, Who is the Object of all adoration, as utter nothingness.

 

[dawny0826]

They count if they are in truth.

I believe the same.

 

[Draka]

First, why is it the automatic assumption that if someone converts on their deathbed that it is to Christianity?

I don't view it as truly real. It seems more like a "covering your bases" thing. If one were to profess a certain faith for the majority or all of their life and then, while dying, they were to have a sudden change of mind I would find that hard to swallow. If they believed it to be true in the first place then why wouldn't they have converted a long time ago?

It just seems like a scared "oh crap what if I'm wrong?' manuever. It doesn't mean that they truly and wholeheartedly believe what they suddenly profess to believing.

 

[Reverend Rick]

I have to tell you that I am involved in deathbed conversions every month. Actually, it is my speciality. If what I am doing is wrong, the Lord understands that my intentions were good.

Seeing people pass on with peacefulness is not doing anyone a disservice.

 

[Draka]

I have to tell you that I am involved in deathbed conversions every month. Actually, it is my speciality. If what I am doing is wrong, the Lord understands that my intentions were good.

Seeing people pass on with peacefulness is not doing anyone a disservice.

Out of curiousity, could you answer me this?

Of the ones you do, how many of them were you requested to do by the person dying without them having anyone else influencing them to do so? How many were asked of you by relation? How many do you approach without having been specifically asked to do so?

Also, what reasons have you been given as to why the converter wants to convert?

I'm curious about this.