Causing scandal evangelizing

[McatholicN]

I haven’t tried evangelization all that much (though I’d love to!) because of my fear of causing scandal to those that I’m arguing against. I’m no expert apologist and can get stumped often, and will say things that aren’t (or even opposed to) Church teaching without knowing it at the time. I see how this could lead people to erroneous beliefs about the Church and give them more reassurance in their false positions.

I’d love to go out and argue for the Church, but I’m worried about sinning while doing it.

 

[JRKH]

Actions are the best tool of evangelization. Far more powerful than words. Love is (or at least should be) the core of our lives as Catholics.

If words are needed, then humility should be the exercised generously.
I have learned this from making a fool of myself more than once…(just as you fear doing).

Discuss, try not to “debate”. Seek the root truth. Do not be afraid to say “I don’t know - but I’ll find out”.

Remember that it is far easier to “draw” one toward God than it is to “push” them.

Peace
James

 

[johnq]

Not everyone should evangelize using apologetics. We need to ask ourself about our motive? Is is pride driven? Do we just want to prove them wrong? I know first hand. Even if I proved them wrong, they were no closer to the Catholic faith.

Asking questions is a great way of leading others to the Catholic faith. So, what do you know about the Eucharist? Imagine if the Catholic view of the Eucharist is right? How awesome would that be?

God bless!!!

 

[AntalKalnoky]

I haven’t tried evangelization all that much (though I’d love to!) because of my fear of causing scandal to those that I’m arguing against. I’m no expert apologist and can get stumped often, and will say things that aren’t (or even opposed to) Church teaching without knowing it at the time. I see how this could lead people to erroneous beliefs about the Church and give them more reassurance in their false positions.

I’d love to go out and argue for the Church, but I’m worried about sinning while doing it.

One NEVER, EVER argues!. I belong to a Top notch Legion Of Mary Praesidium, one of 7 at our now Mega-Parish. We Respect each person, each household as we would want to be; we respectfully explain Misunderstandings, NEVER ARGUE.

• We Are the Papally Recognized Door-to-door Outreach of Each parish, in almost every country in the world: 2 Million of us properly Organized. Hit the Legion of Mary Site, learn a few Basics, then ask Your Pastor if You can organize a [SIGN] Legion of Mary [/SIGN]at Your Parish. A priest is a key part of every Praesidium, for his brief Allocutio inspirations each meeting, then his Blesing. We begin with Rosary. -We Learn so much more about our Faith and look foward to our weekly meetings- We become a Brotherhood/Sisterhood, weekly assignments. Door-to-door is Always by 2, never alone.
  

                                                                                                                    -    One  of my Legion   Brothers  is     a  northern Ghana     grandad,  highly  knowledgeable   Legion of Mary   veteran  from there.  Same    operating  principles in every  country,     almost   all.  .

  Every Pope since our Irish founding in the 1920’s has recognized us as The Outreach of The Church, each Pastor. Indeed, Our Pastor’s opening lines are: *SIGN Hi; Our Pastor, Fr… asked us to visit All our Neigghbors (2) I’m (Name) (3) “Do You/Your Household have any Religious Background” (4) Most open up, naturally: I used to be…-

[/SIGN]*

 

[ESMDHokie77]

Actions are the best tool of evangelization. Far more powerful than words. Love is (or at least should be) the core of our lives as Catholics.

If words are needed, then humility should be the exercised generously.
I have learned this from making a fool of myself more than once…(just as you fear doing).

Discuss, try not to “debate”. Seek the root truth. Do not be afraid to say “I don’t know - but I’ll find out”.

Remember that it is far easier to “draw” one toward God than it is to “push” them.

Peace
James

Discussions lead to interesting conversations… I just had an interesting conversation on facebook with an acquaintance/friend (a Quaker who approves of S.S.M.) that got tense… it focused on gay marriage, sin, and then they tried to smear the C.C. with “involvement” in slavery… . I tried to ask a few questions, present a bit of material to get the people to sit back and think, and then had to put out a fire quickly.

How can evangelization take place without apologetics? It seems people are either set in their beliefs are they are ready and willing to smear what you’re trying to share with them…

Peace,
Phil

 

[AntalKalnoky]

Discussions lead to interesting conversations… I just had an interesting conversation on facebook with an acquaintance/friend (a Quaker who approves of S.S.M.) that got tense… it focused on gay marriage, sin, and then they tried to smear the C.C. with “involvement” in slavery… . I tried to ask a few questions, present a bit of material to get the people to sit back and think, and then had to put out a fire quickly.

How can evangelization take place without apologetics? It seems people are either set in their beliefs are they are ready and willing to smear what you’re trying to share with them…

Peace,
Phil

(1) A Pope of the 1400’s declared Strongly Against then common Slavery; almost singularly in public then. And Popes of following Centuries officially Condemned Slavery, a problem in the New World sometimes. (2) “Aplogetics” is Teaching, correcting the Beautiful Truths of Our Faith, Our Lord; quite the opposite of the misnomered name. Online ‘apologetics’ is very normal, with several of my Convert Friends and their still Protestant friends online. But Door-to-door, it needs to be teams of 2, ideally done in the worldwide every country Legion of Mary, recognized by Each Pope since it’s founding in the 1920’s as The Outreach of The Church. Vivat Jesu, Tony

 

[Joe_5859]

Please do not go out and “argue for the Church.”

Every single Catholic is called to evangelize. But evangelization does not solely (or even primarily) mean going door-to-door or standing on street corners picking fights with any and all who disagree. That’s generally not an effective technique for evangelization.

First and foremost, we need to be people of prayer who are ourselves converted. If we do not ourselves repent and turn to God daily, then all we’re doing is making a lot of noise.

And, like James said, never be afraid to admit you don’t know something. Believe me, I understand the temptation to want to have all the answers, especially when we’re “pretty sure” we know we heard that answer somewhere from someone.

When we’re communicating the truths of the faith, it’s inevitable that we will make mistakes. But if we stay commited to prayer and study, hopefully they won’t be big ones. I think it’s a good habit to pray for God to make up for what is lacking in our own feeble articulations of this great Deposit of Faith. We shouldn’t let our fears paralyze us into inaction.