The call to conversion: a Christian perspective

I REFER to Dr Thillayvel Naidoo’s letter titled “Converting to other religions” the POST, September 3 - 7.

- MERUSHA NAIDOO

In his letter, Dr Naidoo argues that Christianity and Islam “constantly ask, coerce or demand that people of other faiths convert to them”.

He continues: “They everlastingly produce missionaries to spread their respective messages even if it is at the expense of other religions.”

Dr Naidoo asks about the necessity of this and further argues that “conversion from Hinduism can only point to ignorance and a lack of education”.

According to the Scriptures, a Christian should “... be ready to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you...” (1 Peter 3:15).

Accordingly, I would like to present a biblical response for why we, as Christians, share the hope that is in us. It is certainly not to “coerce or demand” conversion.