Defending the Faith

[PeteZaHut]

"The disciple is bound by a grave obligation toward Christ his Master ever more adequately to understand the truth received from Him, faithfully to proclaim it, and vigorously to to defend it, never – be it understood – having recourse to means that are incompatible with the spirit of the gospel. At the same time, the charity of Christ urges him to act lovingly, prudently and patiently in his dealings with this who are in error or in ignorance with regard to the faith. – Vatican II, Declaration on Religious Freedom, No. 14 (bold added by me)

I live on a fairly liberal college campus. Discussions arise where people talk about abortion, for example, and whether or not they are pro-choice or pro-life. Does this mean that if someone says they are pro-choice or I walk by a stand that is giving out free condoms for AIDS-awareness Day, that I am obligated by grave penalty of sin to tell them the teachings of the church? Most of the time it seems best to just let people think what they think.

 

[Benadam]

Most of the time it’s just as you say, better to let them act out of their own reality undisturbed.
We are called to defend the faith. I tend to think I hear that call more often than it really happens.

Rev 22
11 He that hurteth, let him hurt still: and he that is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is just, let him be justified still: and he that is holy, let him be sanctified still. 12 Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to render to every man according to his works.

If I am invited into a conversation about it and I am the only opposition in the group I tell them that I would not be able to join them in their views. That I am on the other side of the fence. If after that someone wants contention on the matter I feel I’m called to explain my view.

Most of the time people aren’t open to chnge their view on things but I may engage if I think some person there is good eneogh soil for a seed to possibly germenate, so to speak.

Verbal violations of the Gospel message aren’t often worth the conflict because verbage isn’t often the heart melting power required to convert souls.

 

[Ferds_Guiang]

Yes at times it is more prudent to show “passively” defend our faith so as not to risk further antagonisms or even violence. Christ himself did not always lash out on evil doers although he had to many times. Prudence should dictate when it is proper or not.