mission

Organized attempt to spread a religion. Throughout its history, Christianity has been the most assertive of missionary religions. Islam also has a history of militant missionizing, and the original Islamic conquests initiated by Muhammad justified the use of a holy war, jihad, as a means to bring God's revelation to unbelievers. Buddhism also engaged on missionary work, though more peacefully, both historically and recently. Missionary activity in the developing world has frequently been criticized for its disruptive effects on indigenous peoples and their traditional social, political, and cultural systems.

In developmental terms, the transition from tribal religions to the great world religions can be traced to a missionary movement – for example within Mithraism, which emerged in the ancient Near East even before the beginning of the Christian era.

During the 20th century, sects such as the Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses proselytized regularly and systematically, while Islam found ready converts in the Black Muslim movement of the USA, and became the second religion in Europe.

Christianity
Christians believe that it is a duty to share their faith with all people, and to help other people discover Jesus in order to find salvation from sin and death. In Matthew 28:19–20, Jesus commanded his disciples to convert and baptize people into the Christian community. Some believe this should be done through the church – for instance, by establishing Christian communities in places where none exist. Others hope to convert non‐Christians by the way that they live their lives. However, many Christians today have adopted a multi‐faith approach to religion, seeing all religions as different paths towards the same goal of salvation. Although they believe that other religions do not fully understand God, the emphasis is on shared ideas and common goals.