text: why is religion constantly being shoved down the throat of non-believers? why do people try to convert other people or get non-believers to believe? why don't people just respect each other's religious believes or the fact that some people don't believe in god at all? why is religion constantly being shoved down people's throat? the primary reason is that most faiths or belief systems accept, as one of their tenants, that they are required to attempt to convert others into their religion; for the good of the other, but also for the good of the faithful (which is important).  i understand that it can be frustrating.  in my own life, i try to remind myself that people attempting to convert me are (usually) well intended.  that doesn't mean i buy what they're selling... but i can accept that they are attempting to help me, within the confines of their understanding.  an easy example are jahovah's witnesses.  when they come to my door, i remind myself that they are putting their faith into practice.  what's more, since they believe i will actually go to hell for not accepting their religion (which, of course, i don't believe)...  i can actually be grateful that they are willing to make the effort.  i can't bring myself to be angry with a person for trying to keep me from being condemned to hell.   which is, after all, what they believe. make sense?  of course, i often feel pity for them as well... because they have accepted that god will condemn them to hell if they don't go out and try to convert others...  it must be terrible to so fear their all loving god...  i was six years old when i first realized that many people will attempt to 'help' me by sharing their fears & limited understanding with me.  and, of course, i've encountered some actual hostility by people attempting to convert me 'out of their love for me'.  idiots i find easy to dismiss.  the fearful people i encounter generally just move me to pity and i'll often make a brief attempt to encourage them, and suggest to them that they needn't be so fearful.  they're usually too terrified to listen...  pagans & muslims, you'll find, are less inclined to attempt to convert you.  christians, at large, are very likely to.  no need to sit and listen to their schpeal...  but, for you own sake if nothing else, attempt to understand their motives.  most followers are just that...  fearful, terrified, followers.  as for leaders of many churches...  we'll, their motives are often entirely power based and materialistic.  they're a different story...  but, they're not typically the ones out trying to convert you.