Ways NOT to evangelize!

[ZTAngel]

I was told by a girl during my freshman year that I was going to Hell because I'm a Jew. She told me that if I wanted to save myself, I should start going to church with her (she was an Evangelist). I decided that Hell would be a better option for me than hanging out with her.

[PhoenixAzul]

My whole thing about this is that you can't FORCE someone to have a religious experience. People have to do that for themselves. I personally experienced it in my own life, but that doesn't mean that everyone else should. I know many atheists who are more Christ-like than most Christians. I think that trying to force the connection with god sort of ruins it.

[KSig RC]

Religion is implicitly about arrogance (making it much more interesting that most religions list 'humility' as a tenet, but that's another story) - it's all about faith, belief in the face of adversity, surety in your own religion's correctness, the roll-eyes smily and thinking inside the box.

In the end, this is the root of much religious conflict, and why I abhor 'street-corner' evangelists. Be evangelical in the manner it was intended: in your church, in front of your congregation and God. For you, by you - don't pretend your way is somehow magically more 'correct' than any other by shouting me down on the street corner. I'm doing fine, thanks.





Also - for you Catholics, here's an interesting statistic (and remember that I'm protestant) for the next time that you're confronted by some ridiculous zealot who can't let 1470 go:

According to CNN at the height of the "Catholic Priest Scandals", a fairly impressive majority of church-related molestations reported in the last decade have occured in Protestant churches.


Now, the reality is that this is most likely because of the overwhelmingly large number of Protestant churches comparatively, but the fact remains fact. So toss that back if you get the silly "child rapist" cracks, and smile when you do it.

[absoluteZChi]

I've been on the other thread about talking to people about your religion.

As many of you, I was raised Catholic and went to Catholic schools. My fathers take on religion is "If every religon is wrong but your own, why does everyone look up when refering to their God?" Because of this belief, when I turned 13 he told me that he raised me Catholic to give me a stepping stone. Now that I was old enough to make my own decisions, I was old enough to decide what religion is right for me. I've stayed with the Catholic religon only because I haven't really looked into any other religion and also because my mother still gives me looks when I mention I might be interested in going to so-and-so's church on Sunday.

I've had my own cousin tell me I'm going to hell because I'm in a MCGLO because trying to unite cultures means worshiping false gods. She was raised Catholic just like me, but recently became Born Again, leff the church and then became penacostal (?). BTW is is also a member of my org too!

I think if you want to inform others of your religion, it should be welcomed by that person. I do believe in telling others what you believe in...we try to recruit for our GLO all the time, but you would never push your org on someone...because they might not be right for it or it might not be right for them.

[Taualumna]

I had a "friend" who told me that being Catholic is "wrong", which is why her dad left the church to become a born-again. I asked her why it was wrong, but like other people have experienced, she could tell me why. She said that it "just is". She also thinks that Judaism is "wrong" (but, again, couldn't tell me why). What's really weird is that her current boyfriend is Latino and Catholic (her ex-boyfriend is Polish-Canadian, and definitely NOT born-again.)

[futuregreek]

I have been told that I was suffering from Crohn's Disease because I wasn't praying hard enough.

I've gotten that one too. I usually respond with "God's work isn't done by God -- it's done by people."

I'm Jewish and we don't evangelize. In fact, if people want to convert TO Judaism, they are traditionally sent away 3 times. They must show that they really want it.

One girl on my floor last year had NO idea I was Jewish, even though I wore a star of david, went to services each week, and have a very "Jewish" last name. She might not have suggested prayer so much to me if she knew, though. She's floormates with some of my sisters now and is VERY disapproving of them. They, in turn, have started messing with her and pretend to have done very immoral things. (They did this after the floormate INSISTED they had not been "saved" even though the two of them are really religious.)

Personally, I don't like anyone telling me I'm going to hell. It's hard for me to deal with some of my deeply Christian friends because I know that's what they think is going to happen to me. I don't know why they think they KNOW what will happen. We don't even believe in hell!

[lifesaver]

If god loved Joel Osteen so much, and he was his 'man on the planet' he would have told him to cut off that stupid ass mullet.


or the more holy, whispy version with wife in tow..


See story (not about the mullett - about the man) in today's San Antonio Express News at http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/met....ba75e90b.html

Seriously, how can I look at a fool and expect him to be close to god when he looks like an idiot.

[PhoenixAzul]

Originally posted by futuregreek
I've gotten that one too. I usually respond with "God's work isn't done by God -- it's done by people."

I'm Jewish and we don't evangelize. In fact, if people want to convert TO Judaism, they are traditionally sent away 3 times. They must show that they really want it.

My academic advisor is actually converting to Judaism right now. She told me the same thing. What is the reasoning behind it, out of curiosity?

[AOPIHottie]

I am catholic, but havent attended church in quite some while, so while I respect others rights of religion, I don't press mine on you, so don't press yours on me.
So one day I am at the doctors office with my roommate and this woman starts talking about the religiousness of Field of Dreams to the two receptionists. Very quickly one leaves to "take out the trash"(apparently this woman comes in often) She tells the other lady how she has been trying to "save" the doctor, but he just wouldn't listen to her. She then looks at me and sees the silver playboy bunny necklace I am wearing(a gift from the roommate, which I love) And asks me if I am a member of that organization. So I say no(cause I am not) and she looks shocked and says "well, thats quite a statement you are making. Dont you care what people think? That organization is just wrong! Have you found God?" WTF??? So I look at her, smile sweetly, and said "I have my seat reserved in hell. It came with the necklace." To which she huffed and walked out. Most fun I have ever had!!!!

[futuregreek]

Originally posted by PhoenixAzul
My academic advisor is actually converting to Judaism right now. She told me the same thing. What is the reasoning behind it, out of curiosity?

It is to "test" the potential convert's sincerity. Not all rabbis adhere to this by saying "go away!" It's my guess that they say "please give it some thought, and if you want to continue, come back in a week or two." Or something like that.

Sites about conversion:
http://www.convert.org/process.htm
http://www.convert.org/

[preciousjeni]

Originally posted by AlphaSigOU
This is an article everyone should read:

Convincing the Unconvinced

The guy is a computer science professor at the Blue Zoo (aka the U.S. Air Force Academy).

I agree with this article, 100%. For me as a Christian - evangelizing based on biblical teaching - this article, along with all the comments on this thread, is an excellent guideline in evangelization.

Kddani - I really appreciate your respectfulness (is that a word?) and I wanted to let you know that this thread was a great idea - it brings up the things that disgust people about evangelism; things that need to be AVOIDED!!

[valkyrie]

I don't think there's a good way TO evangelize. Unless someone asks you about your faith, why talk to him or her about it?

Many people believe that's the right thing to do, and it's part of their freedom of religion just as you choosing to go or not to go to church or practice whatever religion you want to practice is part of your freedom.

[Lady Pi Phi]

Originally posted by GeekyPenguin
Because we...

*worship false idols
*worship the Pope (who some churches think is the antichrist)
*are a cult



Actually "legitimate" reason: Protestants (all non-Catholic Christians, essentially) believe that faith alone, or belief in God and Jesus alone, is sufficient for getting to Heaven. In Catholicism, we believe that in addition to faith, good works must also be performed. However, these works should not be performed for the purpose of going to Heaven, but because those who are truly faithful have the desire to help others through religion.

I'm sure some Protestant GCers will disagree with what I say, but that's what I see the differences as. I find it kind of ironic that the majority of Catholics have no problem with Protestants, and don't think they're going to Hell, but so many Protestant factions despise Catholicism.

I was going to answer this question in the same way.

My grandfather (may God rest his soul), a Southern Baptist told my mother, a non-practicing Catholic, that she was going to hell for being an idolitor (sp?).

I think in some cases though, there is a more historical precident for the Protestant denominations dis-liking the Catholics.

[RACooper]

I've been confronted many times by people wishing to "save" me, and the ones that annoyed me the most were the pushy, "holier than thou", ones convinced that their belief/slant was the one and only way - no debate!... you know the type.. fanatics...

So don't come up to a GLO house to save them from their pagan ways...

Don't barge into a Hillel meeting to hand out Jews for Jesus material...

Don't stand outside the Catholic Centre on campus telling people that by supporting them you support child rapists...

and most importantly don't stand outside classes that deal with evolution holding a sing-in to save our souls...


Other than that if you aproach wanting to discuss religion and faith... and I'm in the mood... no problem... just be certain you have your facts straight before "confronting" me with the "falsehoods" I live by