Spiritual Question

This is something that has been bothering me for a bit.  Why is it that whenever a person professess to have spiritual beliefs other than Christianity, there is an effort to either a)criticize or b)convert. 

Granted, I'm sure it happens with other reilgious beliefs, but most of those I'm around are Christians.  Not that I'm knocking anyone who has that philosophy--I was raised a Catholic. 

My thing is that most philosophies have basically the same ideas...the details are surely different.  I say live and let live. 

Simply put it's just human nature. If you think about it, this applies to a wide range of topics not just religion. I don't believe it happens more with religion, it's just what sticks out in most people's mind because religion and religious beliefs is just a hot topic for most people. Most people think they are right all the time and if you don't agree with them you are wrong and you just can't change people's mind.

What about these two examples?

1. We can use ourselves (former FAT people) wasn't there always somebody who criticized you for being overweight and someone else who tried to "convert" you to their lifestyle (the way they eat; exercise program, etc.)

2. Most gay people will tell you that they have been criticized and that people constantly try to convert them.

I agree with you.  Most religious stories ae based on mythology and packaged in a way that the audience it was meant for could accept it.

I was rasied Baptist, went to a Catholic high school and college and have family members of several different religious beliefs.  While I admire and respect those that can accept blind faith and live their lives according to it, I don't follow suit.  I pretty much am living my life with integrity, hoping to be able to leave this world a better place than when I entered it. 

Thank you both, ladies.

I get kinda sick of holier than thou folks who, when we sometimes get into those discussions, feel the need to give me the "you're going to hell..." speech.

People need to realize that we are all just trying to get through life down here the best way possible, no matter the means...and that their belief is NOT the end all-be all. 

"and that their belief is NOT the end all-be all"

True dat!

I get kinda sick of holier than thou folks who, when we sometimes get into those discussions, feel the need to give me the "you're going to hell..." speech.

With this said, I must ask you, How open minded are you?

I consider myself to be very open-minded in that I will listen to other's arguments, provided they make sense.  I'm not saying a person is wrong, but I am saying that because we live in different parts of the globe, with different customs and cultures, people are going to have different ways of worship based on interpretation.

The problem with this is that people lean to their own understanding based on personal experiences, traditions, fear, ignorance, norms and morays and from that, they construct what they believe to be truth, when if fact it isn't TRUTH at all, it's opinion.  Racism is a perfect example of that.  It is misinformed opinion based on fear, ignorance, and even traditions and from that, racists create an opinion that becomes their truth. 

This is what happens when we start to define God based on our perceptions and understanding.  We base our belief on what "makes sense" to us and we create "religions" that fall in line with that.  We worship carved statues and pray to them as if they have an real power.  How can they be a GOD, when they were created by your own hand?  Then wouldn't the power be YOU and not IT? 

For humans, reality is what we perceive it to be and that varies from experience to experience and person to person, even from day to day. Within perception, there may be fact, but facts don't always equal truth.  Truth remains the same, no matter what cir****tances surround it. 
There is only one truth.  There is only one God.  There is only one heaven and only one way to get to it and that is through Jesus Christ.  Buddha was a man who died.  Mohammad was a man who died.  In both religions, they speak of Jesus.  Jesus was the only man who was born of a virgin mother, performed miracles while he lived, died and rose again and will return.  Even the Koran speaks of this. 

The bible, no matter how many times investigated, holds TRUE!  Gods word is the truth.

Dwayne, since you are an intelligent man, who is well read and well versed in cultures, I ask you to do the research for yourself.  Read a book by Don Bierle, called Surprised by Faith.  It is an outstanding book.  You will find it fascinating.  I then ask you to really study the word of God. Read the bible ( the New Living Translation or The message bible, Study versions if possible.  They are easier to read and understand) and do so not by just reading it  ( I can read a calculus book, but it doesn't mean I understand it)  but get with a learned, seasoned person of God to help you.  After that, then tell me again what you believe and what you know to be truth.

I have found in my discusssions with people that criticism is not productive. As a professing Christian, I have a mandate to spread the Gospel.This is my based on my obedience to the words of the LORD Jesus Christ as recorded in the Bible. So when i feel there is an opportunity I do seize upon it. I am not responsible for your response. If nothing else i am planting a seed  (idea) or watering a seed already planted and then I trust God to "give the increase".
Most philosophies may have a few basic premises that are similar but orthodox Christianity breaks away because of the issue of the LORD Jesus Christ. There has to be a decision on who he is. 
 I am merely a messenger. The word Gospel means "good news". Usually good news is to be spread.
 Yes, it does happen with other religions.
I think Islam would be the next most dogmatic system there is. The more fundamentalist  Muslims believe in "Jihad". This literally Holy war. They will accept your profession at the end of a sword if necessary. That is why our never ending occupation of the Middle east is only going to be this generations "viet nam". They are not merely fighting a political battle they are fighting in the name of "Allah". I can assure you they do not present the lukewarm, wishy washy committment that characterizes the American church culture. Much of what I hear griped about on this board is not true christianity. It is American "ch'uch" culture. African Americans seem to have a spotlight on this problem because of people like Tyler Perry who make money based on the premise of mocking what is percieved as the "black church culture". The caucasian Churches have their issues also but it is not as obvious unless you are a student of theological trends.
Peace and grace
Jo

Jo

Thanks for your well thought out response.  I agree with you in that is is ur duty, I guess, to spread the Word and that you aren't responsible for a person's reaction/response. 

Holy war is not exclusive to Islam as witnessed by events from The Inquistion to Christian extremists in this country (such as the K.K.K) who often *******ize the Bible to their own ends.