Proselytizing

[Anastasia13]

How does it differ from evangelism and why is it bad but evangelism is ok?

[jim111]

Where did you hear this?

[Basilisa Marie]

I don't think proselytizing is bad, just has different connotations. 

 

Example:

 

In the dictionary, they're defined as: 

 

 

Definition of PROSELYTIZE

intransitive verb

1

: to induce someone to convert to one's faith

2

: to recruit someone to join one's party, institution, or cause

transitive verb

: to recruit or convert especially to a new faith, institution, or cause

 

 

and 

 

 

Definition of EVANGELIZE

transitive verb

1

: to preach the gospel to

2

: to convert to Christianity

intransitive verb

: to preach the gospel

 

 

They're basically the same thing, but proselytize has some negative, forceful connotations (think standing on the street corner and shouting). You can also proselytize about anything.  Evangelize is a uniquely Christian term, and tends to have more creative and dynamic connotations.  Proselytize also puts the focus on a person converting someone else, while evangelize is about the person preaching the gospel, and infers that God is the one doing the converting.  You can evangelize without resulting in someone's total conversion to the faith, whereas proselytizing sort of requires someone joining the Church.  Proselytize is also an older word, and a lot of people associate it with forceful conversions when empires were colonizing other lands.  Evangelize is newer, and doesn't have that baggage, so more people are receptive to it.  Does that make sense?  

[GMMF]

The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a doctrinal note on certain aspects on evangelizations, which had a footnote addressing this very question:

 

[49] The term proselytism originated in the context of Judaism, in which the term proselyte referred to someone who, coming from the gentiles, had passed into the Chosen People. So too, in the Christian context, the term proselytism was often used as a synonym for missionary activity. More recently, however, the term has taken on a negative connotation, to mean the promotion of a religion by using means, and for motives, contrary to the spirit of the Gospel; that is, which do not safeguard the freedom and dignity of the human person. It is in this sense that the term proselytism is understood in the context of the ecumenical movement: cf. The Joint Working Group between the Catholic Church and the World Council of Churches, “The Challenge of Proselytism and the Calling to Common Witness” (1995).

 

http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20071203_nota-evangelizzazione_en.html

 

 

 

[Anastasia13]

Where did you hear this?

International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue Between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches:

Nature, Constitution and Mission of the Church:

Part IV. The Mission of the Church

63. It is regrettable that proselytism has wounded the Christian mission. Instead of witnessing the love of God to all peoples according to the missionary mandate, attempts have been made to recruit other Christians by means that are antithetical to love. Instead of strengthening Christian solidarity, proselytism damages it by using dishonest means to urge members of other Churches to transfer allegiance. Instead of becoming a reality and being constantly enhanced, common witness is endangered and distorted. “We reject all forms of proselytism, in the sense of acts by which persons seek to disturb each other’s communities by recruiting new members from each other through methods, or because of attitudes of mind, which are opposed to the exigencies of Christian love or to what should characterize the relationships between Churches. Let it cease, where it may exist. Catholics and Orthodox should strive to deepen charity and cultivate mutual consultation, reflection and cooperation in the social and intellectual fields”.

 

Through paragraph 66.

 

http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/anc-orient-ch-docs/rc_pc_christuni_doc_20090129_mission-church_en.html

Edited June 26, 2013 by Light and Truth

[Anastasia13]

The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a doctrinal note on certain aspects on evangelizations, which had a footnote addressing this very question:

 

[49] The term proselytism originated in the context of Judaism, in which the term proselyte referred to someone who, coming from the gentiles, had passed into the Chosen People. So too, in the Christian context, the term proselytism was often used as a synonym for missionary activity. More recently, however, the term has taken on a negative connotation, to mean the promotion of a religion by using means, and for motives, contrary to the spirit of the Gospel; that is, which do not safeguard the freedom and dignity of the human person. It is in this sense that the term proselytism is understood in the context of the ecumenical movement: cf. The Joint Working Group between the Catholic Church and the World Council of Churches, “The Challenge of Proselytism and the Calling to Common Witness” (1995).

 

http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20071203_nota-evangelizzazione_en.html

Bold is what I thought.

 

So... Does the difference between proselytism vs. evangelism matter as long as your efforts are without manipulation or is it important to make it fit into a certain definition? How does one go about getting people to convert without doing bad proselytism?

[Basilisa Marie]

Bold is what I thought.

 

So... Does the difference between proselytism vs. evangelism matter as long as your efforts are without manipulation or is it important to make it fit into a certain definition? How does one go about getting people to convert without doing bad proselytism?

 

By evangelizing them. :)  

 

But seriously, it technically doesn't matter in the situation you describe. In practice, it's a whole lot easier to think of it as evangelization instead of proselytizing.  People are less likely to get confused about what you're talking about.  So in theoretical terms they're more or less the same, but they usually play out differently in the real world.  

 

The best way I've found to get people to convert (granted, this has only worked once, but she's a nun now, so... :hehe2: ) is by following three basic guidelines:
1) Pray lots. Have an active spiritual life, and learn as much as you can about the faith. Your spiritual life comes first. It's like on an airplane - secure your own oxygen mask before helping others with theirs.  :)
2) Live the best Christian life you can.  People won't want to join your club if they don't think you're an awesome, joy-filled person. 

3) Talk, talk, talk with the person.  I must have put in hundreds of hours talking about everything under the theological sun with my friend.  Meet them where they are, answer their questions in ways that they'll understand.  Like, I'll explain the Church's position on Mary differently to an atheist, to a biblical literalist, to a non-denom, and to a questioning Catholic.  If someone has a problem with the necessity of baptism, I'm more likely to explain the exceptions, like Baptism through Blood or Desire or the idea that God isn't technically confined to the sacraments.  Milk first, then move to solid food.  Get them receptive to the idea of baptism, then move to why it's so necessary.  To me, proselytizing seems more about having a "stump speech" message and hope for the best, while evangelization dynamically changes to meet the needs of any situation.  

It's ultimately about being the best tool for God to work with.  You aren't in control of the conversion experience.  God is in control.  

Does that help at all? 

[jollyllp]

In early April, Army Reserve soldiers in Pennsylvania were told in a redeployment briefing that evangelical Christians and Roman Catholics were "extremists," the same category as al Qaeda. Later that month, the Southern Baptist Convention's website was blocked on Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps bases due to what the military's software filter told Web users was "hostile content." And in early May, news reports said that an anti-Christian crusader had proposed new rules for the Pentagon so that military-service members could be court-martialed for sharing their faith.........

 

 

 

________

jasicajhon

 

[Tab'le De'Bah-Rye]

I think i was banned from ecatholic2000 .com for this exact reason. Being pushy. But than some shepards drive there sheep and some lead there sheep, and than what about sheep dogs yapping away and pushing the sheep onwards and also fighting wolves, must remember that too, not to mistake the sheep dogs for wolves in sheeps clothing.

Edited July 18, 2013 by Tab'le Du'Bah-Rye