Evangelism purely a Christian phenomenon?

[Invincible Summer]

My parents belong to an Evangelical Baptist church, and sometimes I read the pamphlets they get after church to see what kind of scheiße they get.

One of them was about "praying for our Islamic friends" and it was several pages about how Muslims share similar beliefs, but because they don't _____ (namely, accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour) they will "not be saved."

I know Christians are notorious for trying to convert other people, with the excuse that they are trying to "save them" or "make them see the light of Jesus' love" or whatever. I wonder if it's just my own ignorance, or do other religions do this too? I've never had anyone try to convert me to Judaism or Buddhism (although the latter is pretty bastardized and promoted as "spirituality" in N. America)

[Decolonize The Left]

Evangelical is often synonymous with 'fanatical' or 'fundamentalist.' All religions have their fair share of fanatics and fundamentalists, because all religious are based primarily around a text which is up for interpretation. Some people will interpret this text very strictly (regardless of logical incoherence) such as evangelicals and fundamentals. Others will interpret the text more loosely, and some will discount it all together.

Christianity is not exempt or privy to these individuals over other religions. I imagine that it is closer to home and so may seem so, or perhaps it is due to the historical treatment of Christianity as the primary religion in the US which gives this impression?

- August

[Invincible Summer]

Christianity is not exempt or privy to these individuals over other religions. I imagine that it is closer to home and so may seem so, or perhaps it is due to the historical treatment of Christianity as the primary religion in the US which gives this impression?

- August

That's what I was thinking. I was wondering though, if perhaps some religions do not encourage evangelism and "forced conversion," or similar ideas.

[Demogorgon]

Only a few religions actively seek new followers. Christianity, Islam and Buddhism being the big ones.

Smaller religions are often very evangelical however. Here for instance you see Hare Krishna monks all the time attempting to get people to stop and talk to them. Particularly me, they have me down as a soft touch.

[Decolonize The Left]

That's what I was thinking. I was wondering though, if perhaps some religions do not encourage evangelism and "forced conversion," or similar ideas.

No religion, in general, encourages evangelism or fanaticism. As I mentioned before, these religious beliefs are a result of interpretation of given texts. The fact that the texts are vague, contradictory, metaphorical, etc... does not help at all. Religions, in general, encourage religious belief. The type of religious belief is dependent upon the sect, the preacher/teacher, and most importantly, the individual.

- August

[Raúl Duke]

Christianity and Islam always are/were very "evangelist" (i.e. seek to convert actively) historically (and it arises due to their theology; but some sects differ)...although other religions also have some undertones like the people who peddle around Bhagavada Gita.

One thing about many religions is that they purport it to be true and thus members of some religions feels it is a good thing for others to see the truth.