do you force your beliefs on others?

[AnOrangeCat]

I believe that the words "force" and "forcing" get misused in this context a lot, particularly by the world. Are Christians sharing the Gospel with people at gun/knife point? Threatening people and their families if they don't convert? Or less severely, firing people from their jobs or giving them failing grades? Sure, it's happened (especially during times when "Christianity" was made into a political tool and was Christianity in name only), but today it's something you just don't see. I've heard those words used so often in relation to people who are simply conversing and debating, or in the context of parents enforcing some standards at the house. Going by that logic the government "forces" us to not do things like kill, steal, and vandalize.

That said one can certainly be overly aggressive or be wrong in their approach.

10 hours ago, Neighbor said:

Christianity is a religion.

I agree here, though I do get why people might feel otherwise. In modern culture, particularly amongst the worldly, the term religion tends to carry some negative connotations. I find it a bit silly as the negativity tends to focus on things like abuse and misuse of religion (not just Christianity) and people disliking the notion of standards, but keeping the perspective in mind is helpful for understanding where some people are coming from.

[Logostician]

15 hours ago, Neighbor said:

Was on me, by the Holy Spirit.

Christianity is a religion. It is not however one based upon eternal life through personal merit and  reward for personal works.

The works of Christianity is part of a religion that places full confidence and the only confidence upon the works of Jesus in his faithfulness to His Father's will. I do indeed walk by (religious) faith and not by sight, knowing by reveal from the Holy Spirit that Jesus is Lord God and my personal savior.  

My eternal life is all of God's doing and not mine. I do works, but as result of the opportunity to do so  as revealed to me by God the Holy Spirit.

I respectfully disagree that Christianity is a religion.  Religions involve rites and rituals.  Hence the notion of doing something over, and over again, or "religiously".  Judaism is a religion which is based on ceremonial and moral law.  But But Jesus is the end, or fulfillment of the law.  Catholicism is a religion that has many rites and rituals which only serve to distract the focus from Jesus, although they do recognize Jesus as Saviour.  I don't mean to denigrate Judaism or Catholicism by calling them religions, I simply mean that I rely solely on the one with the power to save.  Jesus.  And his spirit leads me in a more perfect way than any rites or rituals ever could.  

[warrior12]

On 8/30/2024 at 10:58 PM, Ghostdog said:

i was thinking the other day about how some groups try and force the things they believe on other ppl and how those ppl push back usually and i wondered if i ever done the same thing with christianity. it made me pause for a sec

What do you mean by "Force" ?.  Please explain and if possible use an example.

The christian or believer is an apologist , i.e he defends the biblical truths as written in he bible.   So, the believer has to know or be able to show clearly what he is speaking about to his audience , which is referenced in scripture.  

Edited September 2, 2024 by warrior12

[Sower]

On 8/31/2024 at 9:16 PM, other one said:

do you force your beliefs on others?     No, not even my wife.

Well chosen avatar...

[Ghostdog]

this question came from me thunking about a content creator named the vegan teacher. in her vidoes she wants everyone to be vegan and if youre not then your a horrible person. i get that she doesnt represent all vegans just like i dont represtent all christianity. but it made me think of how ive shared the gospel. im a little more gentler about it now then in my younger days where it was you HAVE to be a christian or else type of mentality.

[Mr. M]

On 8/30/2024 at 7:58 PM, Ghostdog said:

i was thinking the other day about how some groups try and force the things they believe on other ppl and how those ppl push back usually and i wondered if i ever done the same thing with christianity. it made me pause for a sec

There are two separate ideas being combined here.

There are those who are chosen to preach the Gospel,

and by the example of scriptures this is a life commitment.

1 Corinthians 9:16 For though I preach the gospel, 

I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; 

yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

All Christians are witnesses and apologists, and are expected

to share their testimony. This is accurately presented by @FreeGrace.

1 Peter 3:15 is OUR LOGOS

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always 

to give an answer (apologia) to every man that asks you a

reason (logos) of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

 

Secondly, the point already made is that we cannot force

our beliefs on the lost, we can only preach, or share our testimony.

The very real concern among the saints, is that there are elders

who force their beliefs on the flock. This is ungodliness.

1 Peter 5:1-3 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow

elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker

of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is

among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly,

not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those

entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

 

2 Corinthians 1:24 Not that we have dominion over your faith,

but are fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand.

[warrior12]

12 hours ago, Ghostdog said:

im a little more gentler about it now then in my younger days where it was you HAVE to be a christian or else type of mentality.

That's the reality though.   It is how you dispense or relay the message that would be of concern.   It stills remain, without salvation from Jesus Christ , who paid he penalty for the sin of mankind, the or else still applies.

[JohnD]

There is a difference between standing firm in one's beliefs and convictions and forcing them on others.

[BibleStudent100]

On 8/30/2024 at 9:32 PM, Sower said:

Well, I call it sharing the good news. Forcing anything on someone only causes them to be on the defense.
I also try and remember to ask the holy spirit to use his voice through me. He (God) is the living word.

Forcing someone to become a Christian never works as it must be a personal experience.  God wants us to serve Him only if we choose to.  Still, others may believe that our evangelizing activities "forces Christianity" on them and that is their interpretation.  Our mission from the Bible is to "preach the good news far and wide."

[Bruce_Leiter]

God has called all believers to be witnesses. What does a witness do in court? Witnesses share what they have experienced, nothing more. A few Christians have been given the spiritual gift of evangelism, but not most of us. All we need to do is share with others what God has done and is doing in our lives and pray for the person we just witnessed to (Acts 1:8). Forcing others to believe is wrong, because as God's created humans, they deserve our respect. Arguing gets us nowhere.