Religion: What it means to you

Warning: Wall of text incoming.


My mom's side of the family has been Southern Baptist for a very long time, so I ended up going to the Southern Baptist church in town. However, I do not feel attached to that denomination nor any other one in particular. The only reason I still go there today is because its a place that I am comfortable with, and I like the pastors and members of the congregation.

When I first became a Christian almost 8 years ago, I had a viewpoint that I should try converting as many people as possible. However, as time passed and I became more familiar with what the Bible actually said, I am now on the opposite end of the spectrum, hence why I no longer feel connected to organized denominations. At this point, I fully believe a person can be a Christian without ever setting foot inside a church. This is because there is only one requirement to being a Christian; believing in God, as stated in John 3:16. Again, the only reason I attend church is because I want to. I do not feel compelled to do it out of some requirement.

The Bible says the commission of a Christian (sometimes referred to as the Great Commission) is to: "Go therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." -Matthew 28:19-20

However, as I have seen in this thread and over the past few years, trying to forcibly make people convert to something they do not believe in is just downright wrong. It hardly ever works, and when it does, the people converted are not really believers because they did not make that choice on their own. While I am not actively baptizing unbelievers in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, people can see my religion shown in the life I lead. If they ask me about Christianity, I will be happy to tell them. Under no circumstance will I force-feed it to someone. That is not what God wanted us to do.
I would also say the majority of the world today has a general knowledge of Christianity, and it is up to them alone to decide to choose it or not. According to Matthew 7:13-14: "Enter in at the strait gate, for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it."

Finally, I want to make it clear that I am not trying to belittle the efforts of those who feel the call to spread the Word. I just don't see it as a requirement of being a Christian. This is where some people would refer to James 2:20, which says: "But will thou know, vain man, that faith without works is dead?" As I said earlier, I believe that my lifestyle demonstrates my faith, and people see that. As long as its visible to others but not in a holier than thou fashion, I believe my faith is just fine. In the end, I feel that people should believe what they want because they want to. If they want to become Christians, they will. If they do not, then they will not. Its that simple.

Most amazing jew boots