Why are some christian missionaries so opportunist ?

I don't think bribing someone to become Christian is right. Honestly, even though I support the work of Christian missonaries, they can only do so much- inform someone of Christianity, what it's about etc, and let that person decide. Converts should only become Christian if it's what they want, not simply because someone forces them to or bribes them to. I certainly know that in my case, becoming Christian was what I truly wanted. I didn't convert purely out of fear of Hell, but because I genuinely was interested in becoming Christian.

All the missionaries christians from the west do this thing. They bribe you into buying you as a convert. There are numerous stories of these opportunist extremists denying aid and what not to the poor in africa and other poor areas until they converted and accepted the bible. When the tsunami hit asia they went with trucks load of aid to offer to the indian villages that were wiped out, they also offered bibles for conversion. when the locals refused to convert and accept the bibles, to their dismay the trucks turned around and took their aid with them. This made india news. The local christian charity groups hate western missionary "charity" groups and says these frauds don't have respect of others faith, don't come to help the needy, care only about their conversion quotas and are giving all charities bad name, making it harder for us to go help those in need. All of these news stories are available on this forum if you search for them.

format_quote Originally Posted by Amadeus85

Lte's note that its mostly one group of christians that do such things.

??? Missionary work should be a job for all Christians, Catholic or Protestant and indeed it is. Try and deny that Christianity isn't a missionary religion, ans you're not reading you Bible right.

There is nothing wrong with christianity being a missionary religion. The problem is that some christians are doing the missionary job the wrong way. The right way is to present the religion and let people decide. Unfortunately we see everywhere missionaries using immoral behaviours and exploiting people's weakness. And what made me confused is that this behaviour is done by some religious christians (not uneducated christians) I mean it's supported by some churches.

Indeed, and that needs to stop. Christians should present the religion the right way, and not exploit people's weaknesses. I just got the impression from Amadeus' post that he was pointing the finger at Protestants proselytzing badly, when Catholics have massacred people in the past that refused to convert to Christianity.

format_quote Originally Posted by marwen

There is nothing wrong with christianity being a missionary religion. The problem is that some christians are doing the missionary job the wrong way. The right way is to present the religion and let people decide. Unfortunately we see everywhere missionaries using immoral behaviours and exploiting people's weakness. And what made me confused is that this behaviour is done by some religious christians (not uneducated christians) I mean it's supported by some churches.

You are right, the things your describe of bribery and worse don't promote genuine Christianity, and any missionary who uses such means is actually hurting the cause not helping it. So, it is equally disturbing to me to hear these reports. I can neither explain it nor defend it. I would dispute that it is done by "all" missionaries, for I know some personally who are serving in Africa and their missionary efforts consist of flying planes with supplies and people that serve already existing churches into remote areas of the Congo unaccessible by ground transport. I know another couple who are engage in translation of the Bible into languages in which it is not yet available. These folks are not engaged in proselytizing of any type accept for those neighbors they become friends with over time.

But the reports of these other forms of endeavors are made often enough here that I don't doubt that some of this does go on and it saddens me, for such does NOT build up the kingdom of God. And that is what I give my missionary dollars to support, not forced, fake, or falsified evangelism. Can you identify the names of the organizations these so-called missionaries claim to represent? I want to know if I might be contributing to them unawares.

they're just used to spread their control over the underdeveloped countries like those poor African countries. You know it's more easy for european (and western) governments to "colonize" a "christianized" population rather than a non-christian one whitch is not submitted to the same european culture.

That may be so, but that is distrubing for me as a western Christian as well. For I know that our western governments are in fact most definitely not Christian. And when those in power do occassionally cloak themselves in the garment of religion, it is usually for an end that is decidely unChristian in nature. So, if these supposed missionary efforts of which you complain are being driven by political motives rather than misplaced relgious ones, that is actually doubly distrubing.

Missionaries that do this (which I suppose is only a small minority) are out to 'save' these people. Saving people from ****ation is the core business of missionaries, why would they not use money to save even one human being? Surely saving one person is almost priceless? I would assume they think the end justify the means? From a religious perspective, surely that makes perfect sense? Heck, isn't Zakat also supposed to be used to "attract the hearts of those who have been inclined towards Islam"?

format_quote Originally Posted by KAding

Missionaries that do this (which I suppose is only a small minority) are out to 'save' these people. Saving people from ****ation is the core business of missionaries, why would they not use money to save even one human being? Surely saving one person is almost priceless? I would assume they think the end justify the means? From a religious perspective, surely that makes perfect sense? Heck, isn't Zakat also supposed to be used to "attract the hearts of those who have been inclined towards Islam"?

Obviously you haven't seen any missionaries in action in third world or underdeveloped countries.
They spread lies against Islam and the prophet Muhammad SAW, and even lies against their own theology just because the core of their theology is so absurd.
Here in Indonesia christian missionaries use aid as a condition for reversion.

which is abominable.

format_quote Originally Posted by naidamar

Here in Indonesia christian missionaries use aid as a condition for reversion.

Their aid : 1 pouch of cooking oil, 12 packs instant noodle, 2 Kg wheat flour. for a family.

The primary problem with religion is the tribalism (us vs them mentality) it creates, and this sort of missionary is one of the nastiest examples of it. You'll also find "good christian" charities that will only help those who will convert. I don't know if muslims have a similar thing going on regarding chartity, but I have seen a number of times muslims supporting other muslims over non-muslims even when they are clearly in the wrong.

I have to say, though, that I don't know how anyone could ever be bribed into conversion? I mean, you could give me a billion dollars, but I still wouldn't be able to start believing in God, let alone a particular religion. It just doesn't work that way, at least not in my head! What I could do though, is pretend I'm an adherent of the religion I was bribed by. But in that case, it isn't 'real', so what are you accomplishing?

format_quote Originally Posted by KAding

I have to say, though, that I don't know how anyone could ever be bribed into conversion? I mean, you could give me a billion dollars, but I still wouldn't be able to start believing in God, let alone a particular religion. It just doesn't work that way, at least not in my head! What I could do though, is pretend I'm an adherent of the religion I was bribed by. But in that case, it isn't 'real', so what are you accomplishing?

It's good on paper for demographics- every religion likes to claim its got a large of followers, but that actually doesn't mean anything, when those adherents have been bribed, forcefully converted, or threatened with death if they choose to convert to another religion.