This is true for almost all religions where religious people think they must spread their message so unbelievers wont go to hell. Why do you think it is your duty to prevent others from going to hell? Why not be noble/humble/pious in your life and forget others?
Re: Why do religious people think they must prevent everyone from going to hell?
because in almost all the religions preaching is an important duty set upon the believer . In particular Islamic faith strongly asks a believer to do Dawah , its obligatory on every muslim. It has reference in several places in Quran, but right now I can only share what comes to top of my mind :
"Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining al-maroof * and forbidding al-Munkar [polytheism and disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden]. And it is they who are successful." Surah AalImraan, Ayah 104
"Invite to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His Path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided." Surat an-Nisaa ,Ayah 125
There are many references found in Hadith as well where Dawah is seen as a collective fard responsibility upon every muslim.
I think the problem arises when they get told what they are doing wrong. Their ego comes in and the first attack they make is "oh yeah? well look at your self first" . Instead on focusing on the actual message that the person is delivering, they turn the focus on "who are you to judge me"*
Re: Why do religious people think they must prevent everyone from going to hell?
Also to add few things.
While introducing some one to islam.
We are asked to find common grounds.
We are asked not to pick on their idiology.
We are also asked; "your religion with you and mine with me" some thing like that.
Re: Why do religious people think they must prevent everyone from going to hell?
i think the era of religions saving the world from barbarism is long over. the preachers are often the ones from backward societies, poor understanding of others, low levels of tolerance, etc. there was a time when this was reversed, but no more.
Re: Why do religious people think they must prevent everyone from going to hell?
^ I agree. Mostly that is the case.
ps: shmaraz see how I found common ground with queer 
Re: Why do religious people think they must prevent everyone from going to hell?
If you really understand these people, you will find that they are all suffering from some kind of insecurity or complex themselves....
The problem with these self appointed messengers of God is this that if they can't bring the sinners back to the message, they out of religious duty, start eliminating the sinners. Later on they realise that is so easy to kill than to preach, so killing becomes the priority number one. Jihaad (pseudo of course) takes over tableegh. This is exactly what is happening around us now.
Re: Why do religious people think they must prevent everyone from going to hell?
^^^ Well, the reason I asked this question was b/c every time I'm headed to office there is guy on corner near downtown. He usually has big board with quotes from Bible on & he is usually waving at people. As a non religious person I often wonder what makes people do that?
Re: Why do religious people think they must prevent everyone from going to hell?
It means either the world peace is just around the corner…yah pir yeh qayamat ki nishani hai 
Re: Why do religious people think they must prevent everyone from going to hell?
^^^ Well, the reason I asked this question was b/c every time I'm headed to office there is guy on corner near downtown. He usually has big board with quotes from Bible on & he is usually waving at people. As a non religious person I often wonder what makes people do that?
the idea that he/she is changing the world, saving people from hell, earning some heaven points by spreading the message. usually fixed if person gets a real job, has to deal with some real responsibilities and problems.
and monk, i agree with about 69% of your posts too after i decode them. :\ i feel like we are two homo sapiens holding hands in the park.
Re: Why do religious people think they must prevent everyone from going to hell?
the idea that he/she is changing the world, saving people from hell, earning some heaven points by spreading the message. usually fixed if person gets a real job, has to deal with some real responsibilities and problems.
And you think people (disbelievers) who believe that morality does not exist and there is no ethics' notion exist will save the world?
Shame on you people being aligned with proponents of those theories.
I know several preachers they are real moral, calm and salt of the earth.
Re: Why do religious people think they must prevent everyone from going to hell?
^ There you go again. Stating disbelievers believe "morality does not exist" and "there is no ethics notion".
And unwarranted use of the word "shame" directed at "you people".
IMHO.
Re: Why do religious people think they must prevent everyone from going to hell?
Excellent thread.
Most religious people (please note use of the word "MOST" so please don't come bashing me) think they have "arrived" :) so they feel they are done with the betterment of themselves and should now work on others.
Also, a lot of those people don't have any other hobbies or are bored or feel unaccomplished so they choose this option of criticizing and condemning. Perhaps there's great pleasure in it.
I know we should focus on intentions but honestly, if you're telling someone you'll go to hell means you've already lost them!
Re: Why do religious people think they must prevent everyone from going to hell?
And you think people (disbelievers) who believe that morality does not exist and there is no ethics' notion exist will save the world?
Shame on you people being aligned with proponents of those theories.
I know several preachers they are real moral, calm and salt of the earth.
It is incorrect to assume that people who don't follow a particular religion have no moral or ethics. It is also incorrect to assume that everyone following an organized religion is moral and/or ethical.
Or maybe I did not understand your post; apologize for that.
Re: Why do religious people think they must prevent everyone from going to hell?
^ There you go again. Stating disbelievers believe "morality does not exist" and "there is no ethics notion".
And unwarranted use of the word "shame" directed at "you people".
IMHO.
southie, I would ask you a simple question but i know you will not give a straightforward answer. let me know if you can answer with predicate of 'yes' or 'no'.
Re: Why do religious people think they must prevent everyone from going to hell?
Excellent thread.
Most religious people (please note use of the word "MOST" so please don't come bashing me) think they have "arrived" :) so they feel they are done with the betterment of themselves and should now work on others.
Also, a lot of those people don't have any other hobbies or are bored or feel unaccomplished so they choose this option of criticizing and condemning. Perhaps there's great pleasure in it.
I know we should focus on intentions but honestly, if you're telling someone you'll go to hell means you've already lost them!
You take a wrong assumption and build argument against it. Did you mean, preachers first issue fatwa of hell to their audience and then preach them?
I doubt you have come across to a preacher ever in your life.
Re: Why do religious people think they must prevent everyone from going to hell?
It is incorrect to assume that people who don't follow a particular religion have no moral or ethics. It is also incorrect to assume that everyone following an organized religion is moral and/or ethical.
Or maybe I did not understand your post; apologize for that.
Well this is long debate.
Allthough some disbelievers does not deny the notion of morality, but atheism, from which disbelievers come, states that there is no reason for human being to be moral and objective notion of morality does not exist.
Considering it, would you condemn that atheism?
Re: Why do religious people think they must prevent everyone from going to hell?
Dawah, has two facets in my opinion. One in which its fard upon every believer. Hence they do it out of religious duty. But we are not given the powers to judge people so harshly and decide who will go to heaven and who will go to hell. Unless we are quoting something from the Quran , like " if we dont pray its a major sin and a way to hell as per Quranic verse xyz" .
In this facet of Dawah, the best mode of action is to spread Islamic teaching and if so condemn another muslim when they go against Islamic teachings , but , starting to judge whether they will go to hell, forcing them, name calling them is the worst deed anyone conducting Dawah can do. The duty of the believer is to let the other person know of the religious message and then let them be because it is now between them and Allah.
The second facet of Dawah are the ones who are at the receiving end. Instead of shooting the messenger , why not focus on the message they are delivering. The message they are giving , if its a true message as per Quran and Hadith teachings , then focus on that rather then "judging " the person and labelling them with names. Coz in essence you are doing the same treatment to them and giving them the same feeling , how you feel when they tell you you are going to hell.
Re: Why do religious people think they must prevent everyone from going to hell?
Dawah, has two facets in my opinion. One in which its fard upon every believer. Hence they do it out of religious duty. But we are not given the powers to judge people so harshly and decide who will go to heaven and who will go to hell. Unless we are quoting something from the Quran , like " if we dont pray its a major sin and a way to hell as per Quranic verse xyz" .
In this facet of Dawah, the best mode of action is to spread Islamic teaching and if so condemn another muslim when they go against Islamic teachings , but , starting to judge whether they will go to hell, forcing them, name calling them is the worst deed anyone conducting Dawah can do. The duty of the believer is to let the other person know of the religious message and then let them be because it is now between them and Allah.
The second facet of Dawah are the ones who are at the receiving end. Instead of shooting the messenger , why not focus on the message they are delivering. The message they are giving , if its a true message as per Quran and Hadith teachings , then focus on that rather then "judging " the person and labelling them with names. Coz in essence you are doing the same treatment to them and giving them the same feeling , how you feel when they tell you you are going to hell.
Couldn't say it better than this.
Re: Why do religious people think they must prevent everyone from going to hell?
southie, I would ask you a simple question but i know you will not give a straightforward answer. let me know if you can answer with predicate of 'yes' or 'no'.
There you go again. Now you state I will not give a "straightforward" answer. Do allow me to quote from post 16
" You take a wrong assumption and build argument against it."
How can I assure you in a "straightforward" manner about yes or no answer without knowing your question? That would be "unethical" and "immoral".
Some topics do NOT have a yes or no answer. One day you will realize that. Maybe. Inshallah.