Proselytizing

[Caecilian]

It seems to me from reading some of the threads here that many of you do not like it when Christians try to proselytize, particularly when it is you.

Here is a quote from Penn Jillette (from Penn and Teller), who is an atheist:

"If you believe that there's a heaven and hell and people could be going to hell--or not getting eternal life or whatever--and you think that, well, it's not really worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward...How much do you have to hate somebody not to proselytize? How much do you have to hate somebody to believe that everlasting life is possible and not tell them that?"

What are your thoughts on this quote? Do you agree? Disagree? Think it depends on the situtation?

Actually, I pretty much agree with the quote. If I was religious, I'm sure I'd want to proselytize the unbelievers. Even if I only managed to convert one of 'em, then that would be worth the hassle that I got from the remaining heathens- for what could possibly be more valuable than saving the immortal soul of another person?

However, as it happens I'm not at all religious. In fact I'm a militant atheist. And I do find being preached at irritating, even though I accept that the preacher has what s/he views as my best interests at heart.

Praying for me is another matter. Theists are welcome to pray for me as much as they want. They'll be wasting their time, but thats their problem, not mine.