Witnessing/Pushing your religion (Enter at your own risk)
Moms View Message Board: The Kitchen Table (Debating Board): Witnessing/Pushing your religion (Enter at your own risk)
Ok, ground rules.
1) No one "slams" anyone else for their beliefs
2) Be polite in whatever you say. Firm yes, but be polite.
And any rules I've forgotten, but that you can think of 
There has been alot of talk, everywhere, about people "forcing their beliefs" on others. I have two questions. 1) At what point, in your opinion, does witnessing turn into forcing your beliefs on others. And 2) by saying "Dont force your beliefs on me" aren't you in essence forcing your beliefs on the other person?
I have had/am having this discussion with other friends of mine, and just thought I'd see what your opinions are.
I know that this will be a VERY hot button topic. I hope that we can all handle this as well as we have other topics of this nature in the past.
I think of forcing your beliefs on someone when you are to the point of telling the person why you are right and they are wrong. If we are having a discussion about religion and you tell me your beliefs, you are not forcing your beliefs on me. If we are discussing a world event and you reference your faith, you are not forcing your beliefs on me. But if I say that I believe something and you tell me that your way is the only way to believe and that I should change my view, you are forcing your belief on me.
Further, if I try to end the discussion and say I am not comfortable with the discussion or I just do not wish to go further with it and you pursue it, you are forcing your beliefs on me.
I think you are forcing your beliefs on someone based on what your intent is behind your words. If you are expressing what religion has done for you simply because you wish to rejoice in that fact, that is fine. But if you are doing it so that I will be open to the same experience, and I let it be known that I do not want that, yet you continue, you are forcing your beliefs on me.
I don't think saying "Don't force your beliefs on me" is forcing your beliefs on the other person at all. It's just acknowledging that the discussion is not going to end with anyone changing their beliefs and it is best to end the discussion now.
Interesting topic!
1) At what point, in your opinion, does witnessing turn into forcing your beliefs on others. When someone infers or straight out tells me that my beliefs are wrong and they are right, I feel as if the they are forcing their beliefs on me. I know someone (in real life) who does this, and to be honest, I have lost a little respect for this person. When ever we talk about religion and beliefs, this person speaks as if what they say are facts and not just what they believe. This person has a tendency to disregard my beliefs and, when that happens, I feel as if they are forcing what they believe, on me.
Which leads me into the next question, And 2) by saying "Dont force your beliefs on me" aren't you in essence forcing your beliefs on the other person? I have never told this person to stop forcing their beliefs on me, but have instead told them that, while I respect what they believe in and will listen to what they say, I also have my own beliefs and would expect the same courtesy that I show to them. If we can't agree to disagree, then there is no point in continuing the discussion. I don't feel that is forcing my beliefs on them. If I ever did that, I would hope that they would point it out to me.
Ditto Melanie and Sunny.
Ditto what Melanie said.
When people come to my door selling their religion and continue pushing the issue even after I've politely declined, they are forcing their beliefs on me. I HATE the fact that I have to be rude and literally shut the door before they will leave.
I could go on but this can be a touchy subject.
I agree with Melanie, Sunny and Trina. I also want to add I feel a person is pushing their beliefs on me when they constantly refer to the bible, scriptures, their religious feelings as a response to everything.
God or your highest being gave us all brains to think for ourselves, while using our faith as a point of reference.
As an example:If I answered every question or topic quoting Republican politicians or point of view of being politically conservative, after a
while, people would be turned off. They would also think I am pushing my politics on them
Example number #2: If I was constantly referring to babies/mothering,etc to people who do not want/or do not have kids, they would think I was being pushy.
I hope this made sense. Great question!
I feel that when witnessing crosses another person's comfort "boundaries" it becomes an attempt at forcing one's beliefs. I don't think anyone can actually force their beliefs on another person without a detailed program of mind control techniques similar to Jim Jones. So exactly where that fine line exists could only be decided on a case by case basis, depending on what each individual's particular level of comfort is when discussing views of other faiths. I think the minute someone detects discomfort or disinterest and yet continues discussing their religion, they are in essence deliberately crossing that line and have now stepped into "witnessing - attempting to force my beliefs" territory. Most people are intelligent and in tune enough to be able to tell when they've made someone uncomfortable. To continue IMO is in direct conflict with Christian-like behavior, as it shows extreme disrespect for another person's feelings, is uncaring, unloving, and un-God-like.
In psychology, "crossing boundaries" is used often when trying to establish ground rules for socially-acceptable behavior. Therefore, when a person tells another "Don't force your beliefs on me" they are simply establishing their personal boundaries, which everyone has a right to do. By saying this, they couldn't possibly be considered to be "forcing their beliefs on you now", because they haven't even said what their beliefs are!
Interesting discussion, Julie.
I don't know what the term "witnessing" means.
Could someone explain?
My turn to weigh in . To answer your question Annie witnessing is, to me, an attempt to share my faith with other people. A chance to tell them what the Lord has done for me and, IF they are interested to tell them what he can do for them.
I think that most of you know that I try very hard not to "force" my beliefs on anyone. However, it is very hard for me to hold back, and I do more than you'll ever know. It's not a matter of pushing what I believe on others for me. It's my life. It's what I live. So when I say things(not only on this board, but in my life) I sometimes offend people unintentionally. The minute that I see that I have "overstepped my welcome" then I stop and apologize. I try to live what I say, not just say it. I have been a victim to someone trying to force what they believe on me. I know how that feels. I agree with everything all of you intelligent ladies said.
This is a good question. I do believe that somebody coming to my door and entering my territory is forcing their religion. I do not believe people should be allowed to go door to door and push their religion. I think as adults if we want to go to a house of worship, we know where we can find one, or open up the phonebook and get phone numbers and addresses to the local churches.
Also being Jewish,I have had people "Force" their religion on me. Growing up I had a friend who when she was 16 became a born again Christian. Well seeing that I was Jewish she continuously told me I was going to Hell because I didnt accept Jesus as she was told in her church. She would stand at the bustop and preach to all the kids, and in turn turned away all her friends. Eventually though she let up and realized what she was doing. Ok fast forward about 20 yrs later. I have a friend here now who goes to a baptist church. And she would tell me that I was going to Hell too, same reasoning, the whole Jesus thing. But what got me mad was that her son(Alex)who is friends with my son, approached my son and asked him "Do you accept Jesus into your heart?" and my son didnt answer, being Jewish we are not asked things like that, or discuss things like that. Alex then began to tell my son I was going to Hell because I didnt accept Jesus. Now when you have your 6 yr old child saying this to other child, that is PUSHING your religion on somebody.....What right did my friends, or anybody else on this planet have the right to tell me because Iam Jewish Im going to Hell???? Can any of you answer this question for me?
I may not be the most religious Jewish person out there, but that is what I follow. We believe in God, the God who created the heavens and earth etc... Iam a good person, I help others, I do not cheat or steal or harm others, so why should I be told Im going to Hell because I do not accept Jesus in the same way as the Christians?
In the Jewish religion, they do acknowledge Jesus. To the Jews, Jesus was a great teacher and prophet but thats all. But thats ok, we believe what we believe and the Christians believe what they want to believe.
BUT, telling a Jewish person they are going to Hell, is WAY OVER crossing the line and being pushy.
Oh Oh Oh, I almost forgot this... At Halloween time somebody in this neighborhood(yr after yr)puts bible verses(Arent they called Tracks?)attached to the candy. Now that is pushing your religion. First of all there is a time and place for everything. Halloween is a childrens event, and that is not the time or place to be forcing religion and shoving it into the kids trick or treat bags. If children were having some fall festival activities at their church that is the right place and time for pushing religon, but in a public neighborhood, that is not right. I do not know whose house it comes from, but the kids get it in their bags every yr.....
I have never responded on this board before, but after reading Jackie's post, I just wanted to say, what she experienced, is EXACTLY what I have experienced in my life, I am also Jewish. Jackie, I agree 100% with everything you said, you took every single word right out of my mouth, so, I have nothing else to say! Thanks for posting that!
To Jackie and Jodes:
As a christian I can only say this...not everyone is the same. My bible tells me that the Jewish people are God's chosen people. And I can find nowhere in the bible that that was changed because Jesus came. You are still and will forever more be God's chosen people. I am sorry that you have had such a horrible experience with christians....but sometimes we forget that we were "grafted in the vine".
Jujubee,
No bashing on my part, only asking viewpoints.
Why did you post the original topic? Do you feel you are pushing your religion on others or someone pushing theirs on you?
For someone to post a topic there is always a link to their own lives, somehow, good or bad.
Do you go door to door with your views? What do you do when someone comes to your door?
What are your views on witnessing/pushing religion?
Just curious.
No problem Annie...you know I'm always willing to discuss this .
Ok...to answer your questions...
Why did you post the original topic? I go to 2 other posting boards, both of which are considered Christian. I noticed alot of debate going on about the Pledge of Allegiance. Alot of what they were saying were things about how we shouldn't force our religion on other people. And that got me to wondering...at what point does someone feel that they are being pushed. Thus...this post.
Do you feel you are pushing your religion on others or someone pushing theirs on you?I don't feel as if I have pushed my religion on to anyone. As I said in my earlier post, this is just my life. And if I see that I am "stepping on toes" I try to back off, and apologize.
Do you go door to door with your views?I have not done this, but would if I had the chance. Dh and our family only get 2 days a week to "really" spend time together, so usually our time is taken up doing that. IF I was offered the chance to withness door to door, I probably would.
What do you do when someone comes to your door? I have handled this many different ways. Jehovah's Witnesses are the only ones who have ever come to my door. And the last time that happened we had a very nice conversation. They (most of them) know me now, and they know that I'm not going to change my mind. Now, there have been times when different people have shown up who don't know me, and are very adamant about talking to me. I politely tell them that I believe that Jesus Christ is my Saviour. I tell that that I believe in God the Father, Son, Holy Ghost. And usually by that point they're leaving, or it opens up the door for us to have a good discussion.
What are your views on witnessing/pushing religion? I have no problem with someone talking to me about their beliefs. Pushing for me starts when someone tells me that what I believe is wrong and what they believe is right. I think that I (and all christians)am/are called to witness to people. I won't quote it for you ;), but the scripture I've read leads me to this conclusion.
I hope that answered your questions.
Jujubee,
Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. It is nice to know where people stand and their opinions.
As my DKs get older they encounter more people, more beliefs, more opinions, etc.
It's comforting to know I can get true answers on certain questions, etc. here on moms view, without it turning into a big hassle.
Thanks,
Annie
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