From some posts I get that we (believers) are saying atheists are wrong in thinking there is no God. Yet even amoung believers there seems to be the desire to convert. I believe the more you yourself are o.k. with the belief system that works for you, the less "need" you have to convert anyone.
Why try to convert someone? What is the purpose?

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May your awareness be perfection

Not at all. I know that I will never convince an atheist there are gods; I have no particular desire to do so. I do not think beliefe -- any belief -- is actually a rational thing, subject to proof and argument. People believe what they believe, reasons, rationalizations, explanationa and apologetics are merely efforts to justify themselves to themselves. (In other words, the atheists who argue so passionately on this list that there is no god, are really just trying to bolster their own belief and vice versa.)



I suppose that is so, for more or less the reason above. If one can "convert" someone, then one is a little less worried that one is wrong. It's all about our own doubts and worries... no one is that worried about what happens to their neighbour's soul, only their own.

Have you ever been trying to go somewhere with a driver who isn't sure of the way? Sometimes the driver starts following another vehicle, purely on the assumption that the other driver has a clue where he/she is going, meaning that both drivers are going the same way. It's a fatuous assumption, but so commonly made we scarcely notice it; we can't be as wrong if someone else is making the same mistake.

"Be seeing you..."

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Grassaf, Eolas

Good point Eolas. I can see where I sometimes put my trust in others.

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May your awareness be perfection

Please realize that Christians must proselytize if they are to carry out the "great commission" that's demanded in the N.T.

Shalom,
Vern

When I argue (passionately or dispassionately) that somebody really ought not to engage in dangerous bicycle tricks without some protective gear, I am certainly not trying to bolster my own belief that falling on an unprotected head hurts. I'm trying to prevent the hurt.

You may suppose that the only reason an atheist would post his views here is to shore up his own beliefs, but I'm afraid that you probably aren't really in a position to understand the motives of too many people other yourself. Certainly not of people connected to you only through a few daily blatherings on the internet.

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evangelicalhumanist: Greek "eu"=good and "angelos"=messenger. Spreading the good news of Humanism.

Why can’t you just let people find their own path? Let them choose who to worship.
Why is your God so hell-bent on wanting us to follow him?

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I worship the old Gods because my heart tells me too not because I am told too.

I think E.H. touched on a very important reason why some try to convert others: to "save" them from getting hurt. As Metis points out it is "built" into some religions to save/protect/help others. I know some say the Churches are trying to make more money, but I think there is another, even more important key motive involved.

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May your awareness be perfection

"From some posts I get that we (believers) are saying atheists are wrong in thinking there is no God." -- i think they probably are wrong.... but i don't think it's my place to tell them so - and i certainly won't try to convert them.

I think that the most that should be done - if asked - is to explain, to the best of ones' ability, why one believes as one does.

To be honest, i don't think that it's right for anyone to try to convert someone else.


Peace, Love, & Light

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"An object is perceived, or not perceived, according as the mind is, or is not, tinged with the colour of the object. "
Patanjali - Sutra 4:17

.... but that doesn't make it right.


Peace, Love, & Light

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"An object is perceived, or not perceived, according as the mind is, or is not, tinged with the colour of the object. "
Patanjali - Sutra 4:17

.... and that would be....?


Peace, Love, & Light

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"An object is perceived, or not perceived, according as the mind is, or is not, tinged with the colour of the object. "
Patanjali - Sutra 4:17