Friend- conversion

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I have been working at a friend (taking him to Church, talking about God with Him) so as to convert him to the Faith. I need someone to help me. How should I approach this? today he said that he doesn’t like organized religion because it doesn’t allow for the mind to be free and because it is so limiting. Any help here? Any help with his general conversion? (ie. what I can say). Thanks, I would really like to see his soul in heaven one day.
 
Fulton Sheen would tell you to look into his morals. That if he wants to stay away from a religious code, there is some sin he would like very much to protect.

Of course, other things must be factored in, but that is the first thing that comes to mind when that sort of argument is presented. Logic demands that if there is a God, we must not make him into our own image, but rather try to find out best we can how he really is, and worship him on his terms.

Is your friend a reader? Is he open to reading some books that might challenge his ideas?
 
I forgot who said it, but there’s a quote I’ve always like that might be persuasive to your friend: “When is a train more free? When it is on the tracks or when it is not?” I’m thinking it may have been Bishop Sheen, but I’m not certain. Anyway, the point is that the rules and structure found in organized religion (specifically the Catholic Church), we are actually more free than when we don’t. I probably butchered that quote, but you get the idea.
 
I have always found Mere Christianity, by C.S. Lewis, to be a very good starting point for the person who wishes to remain non-religious.
 
I would answer that question from my own personal experience–that it appears limiting, but when you embrace the Truth, it is freeing. When I was wandering in the darkness, I did not see the darkness. But once I found Him, I knew I could never go back to where I came from. Though I had thought myself free in those days, I would say now that I wasn’t even really alive. There was no real joy in anything.

In regard to converting your friend,though-- this is the work of the Holy Spirit. Though He may use us to accomplish His work, it ultimately rests with your friend to hear and heed the promptings of the Lord. You cannot make him take that first step in faith, no matter how strong your answers, apologetics, or personal testimony. More than anything, keep praying for your friend.
 
Good luck with talking to your friend! Always remember to be gentile and kind. 😃

I know a lot of people who are struggling with the concept of an organized religion. They are very skeptical, and start throwing out all kinds of crazy attempts to justify leaving them. They cite some sinister conspiracy theories and hidden agendas, but their ultimate criticism is that Catholicism is too “limiting”, and imposes too many rules and restrictions on the person.

A good analogy I use is playing the piano (or I suppose any musical instrument). You can be “free” to bang on any of the keys…but what comes out isn’t music. Although musical theory has lots of “rules” and “requirements”, you can’t produce music without following those principles. Therefore, one who accepts and understands all these rules is free to produce beautiful music.

In short, these “rules” and beliefs have very strong principles behind them. Understanding this is an enabler that allows us to recognize and choose freedom. They enable use to be truly free, and produce positively constructive works.

As I have said in another thread, modern society has hijacked the definition of “freedom” to mean doing whatever you want. We need to realize this and learn what freedom really is.

God bless,
-erbo
 
erbo said:
Always remember to be gentile and kind. 😃
Click to expand...
As opposed to being Jewish and kind? :rotfl: Sorry! I just couldn’t resist that one. On a more serious note, these are some really good suggestions. I think the most important thing to do is to pray that this friend’s eyes and ears are open to the Word. God bless you and your friend.
 
Many people who resist “organized religion” believe they are and can remain a good person on their own. They figure this because they haven’t murdered anyone, committed adultery or some other heinous crime. This is a very low definition of a good person.

Upon a close and truthful examination of conscience they will realize that they tend toward a self-centered selfishness. They will manifest this in their own individual way. Compared to God’s perfection, we don’t even come close to being good people.

What I generally observe is, the more one is a Saint the more one will admit they are a sinner. The more one is a sinner, the less likely one will admit that they sin.

If you can impart a good understanding of sin and their propensity to sin, a truthful person will realize that they can not work towards being a better person on their own. How can a basically defective person like myself help myself become a better person?

This is the core reason we are required to participate in Church life by fulfilling the precepts of the Catholic Church.

beginningcatholic.com/precepts-of-the-catholic-church.html
 
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