How does one know when someone's trying to convert you

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Hi all, this is kind of bugging me and I’m not sure if I posted this in the correct forum, but it doesn’t have much to do with conversion to Catholicism, but rather something that I’m under the impression of that’s going on in my bible study, and I’m not sure how to respond.

For a few weeks beginning in mid-December I had gotten together with a few people to form a bible study during lunch break. All are Protestants from the same church while I’m the only non-Protestant.

Though non-practicing (well that’s not entirely true, I did attend Mass tonight in the first time since the night before Easter 2009), and removed from Catholicism, I hadn’t rejected it outright.

My intentions in forming a Bible Study was really just to gain other perspectives as to how one sees God’s Word, but also to form challenges and engage in debates to beef up people into becoming better at engaging the secularists in disputes. I did not have an intention of finding a “new” church.

With regards to my religious affiliation, it occurred to me that I didn’t truly understand what I was taught, and really wanted to go through the Catholic religion again which meant reading a Catholic Bible, the early church history, the saints, Catechism of the Church, etc. and truly understand where I come from and why it’s important.

So anyways, this past Friday, we had a bible study at one of the members’ homes, and it was a little awkward, just because they seemed to focus on trying to lead me to how they viewed things in that we weren’t just there for an intellectual discussion on the Bible.

And then came the time to leave for home. One of the members wanted to continue with the study next week, I was thinking of making this more of a bi-weekly thing (I live about 40-45 miles away and take van transportation to work with this one exception for the week, plus drive in for Overtime on weekends). I was kind of weary because of the level of importance he was in making this, as it is more than a friendly get-together, but more of a commitment, (which seems to be leading to my attempted conversion, which I reject on the grounds that while I may have doubts about my Catholicism, I’m at least willing to investigate it and see if they’re just to due to a lack of proper understanding). Also, I feel that I’m not really being allowed to approach this thing at my own pace, and thus I’m getting cautious.

Has anyone here experienced anything like that?
 
Hi Andrew: it is unfortunate, but many Christians assume that if you leave Catholicism, it would make you a better Christian.

How do I know if someone is proselytizing me? These criteria:
a) they present their church group as a better choice for me,
b) they present my church group as not very good,
c) they discourage my participation in my church group,
d) they suggest I consider more participation with their church group.

Now, just to be clear: Christians tend to be proud of their church groups. By praising it, they may not necessarily be trying to proselytize.

However, if all four of the above signs are there, especially (c), then there is definite proselytizing. Not only do they want you to participate more in their church group, but they also want you to leave yours.
 
Andrew1983 said:
So anyways, this past Friday, we had a bible study at one of the members’ homes, and it was a little awkward, just because they seemed to focus on trying to lead me to how they viewed things in that we weren’t just there for an intellectual discussion on the Bible.
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Well, this has been *my experience *with particular groups of non-Catholics (sola scriptura protestants). They reject the authority of the Church to interpret authoritatively and claim their own ability to interpret.

But, when the rubber meets the road everyone (defined as everyone at that particular church) gets to be their own pope and interpret (as long as they interpret rightly, which pretty much means that they agree with their pastor’s interpretation).

But, not you, oh ignorant Catholic, you need to be taught the *right *way to interpret. If you knew the right way, you would agree with them.
 
Depending on what sect of Protestants you’re doing a bible study with, some won’t care that you’re Catholic, but a good many will think that they can make you a better Christian by converting you to their way of thinking.
 
As others have warned, if a person starts to aggressively suggest you attend their church or bible study, then they’re probably trying to convert you.

It’s one thing to invite someone to your church or service in a friendly manner and then never think about it again, it’s another to try to enforce a kind of tradition of it with them.
 
Andrew1983 said:
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If they think they are right, and you are wrong, then it their duty to try to convert you.

I am a convert to Catholicism

I think Catholicism is right.

I will try to convert others when the opportunity presents itself.

Do you think I am wrong to hold this view?
 
I just wanted to comment on part of your post. I think it’s really awsome that your wanting to research your faith. Reading the bible, studying church history, and the Church fathers, delving into the catechism. I do believe that on your journey though this you will find the truth in your Catholic faith and really develop a closeness you never had before. i know that all that is what lead me to where I am now. Much prayers for you my brother 👍
God bless,
Jesse
 
Andrew1983 said:
Hi all, this is kind of bugging me and I’m not sure if I posted this in the correct forum, but it doesn’t have much to do with conversion to Catholicism, but rather something that I’m under the impression of that’s going on in my bible study, and I’m not sure how to respond.

For a few weeks beginning in mid-December I had gotten together with a few people to form a bible study during lunch break. All are Protestants from the same church while I’m the only non-Protestant.

Though non-practicing (well that’s not entirely true, I did attend Mass tonight in the first time since the night before Easter 2009), and removed from Catholicism, I hadn’t rejected it outright.

My intentions in forming a Bible Study was really just to gain other perspectives as to how one sees God’s Word, but also to form challenges and engage in debates to beef up people into becoming better at engaging the secularists in disputes. I did not have an intention of finding a “new” church.

With regards to my religious affiliation, it occurred to me that I didn’t truly understand what I was taught, and really wanted to go through the Catholic religion again which meant reading a Catholic Bible, the early church history, the saints, Catechism of the Church, etc. and truly understand where I come from and why it’s important.

So anyways, this past Friday, we had a bible study at one of the members’ homes, and it was a little awkward, just because they seemed to focus on trying to lead me to how they viewed things in that we weren’t just there for an intellectual discussion on the Bible.

And then came the time to leave for home. One of the members wanted to continue with the study next week, I was thinking of making this more of a bi-weekly thing (I live about 40-45 miles away and take van transportation to work with this one exception for the week, plus drive in for Overtime on weekends). I was kind of weary because of the level of importance he was in making this, as it is more than a friendly get-together, but more of a commitment, (which seems to be leading to my attempted conversion, which I reject on the grounds that while I may have doubts about my Catholicism, I’m at least willing to investigate it and see if they’re just to due to a lack of proper understanding). Also, I feel that I’m not really being allowed to approach this thing at my own pace, and thus I’m getting cautious.

Has anyone here experienced anything like that?
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They’re Protestant for a reason. Some will try to convert you, others will live and let live. I think at least one of them is trying to convert you, and to draw you away from the Catholic Church.

It’s a pity that we don’t have Catholic “home groups” or “Bible study groups”. This would be valuable in several ways.

First it would reinforce our Catholic basis of faith.

Second the ambit of such groups would be of necessity wider than mere “Bible Study” as it would include such topics as church history, tradition, sacraments, Papal authority, creeds, Marianism etc. I find Protestant Bible Groups a bit boring frankly (my wife goes to one, which I occasionally attend, and I used to attend a Presbyterian one in my earlier days), as the Bible text is usually obvious in its interpretation.

Third it would be helpful for new Catholics. As it is, they join the church, and unless they’ve had some previous Christian training (eg. member of a Protestant church), they’re more or less left to sink or swim on their own.

Fourth it would be a social networking method. There are a lot of lonely people out there.

Fifth, it would provide a counter balance to the Protestant “Bible Studies”.

But it would be difficult to start one at work. I think such a concept would work better in someone’s home.
 
I think when you start asking yourself if they are trying to convert you, they probably are.
 
There is nothing in the Catholic faith that contradicts the bible and there is nothing in the bible that contradicts the Catholic faith. Once I realised this i couldnt wait to engage withy non catholics.
 
Thank you all for your thoughts on this. I’m going to have to go with my gut and clarify that although I enjoy the Bible Study, my intentions are to not convert. There are just things I’m not willing to do, like throw away 2000 years of Catholicism simply because I didn’t get it completely the first time. And there are many valid points with regards to the failings of Sola Scriptura that beg the question of why there are so many seperate Protestant denominations, some of them preaching things that are in serious conflict with the moral law.

I do like the idea of a Catholic Bible Study group that goes beyond scripture and takes into account the church history, catechism, etc. I would find it even better to organize fellow Christians into being able to combat those who would purposely twist the Word into something it’s not. I mean, despite sectarian differences, we can at least form a common defense on the things that are universally-held beliefs among Christians. I’m talking about knowing how rebut “Jesus is a sky-god” nonsense when it arrives and preserving the West’s religious-cultural integrity.
 
Andrew1983 said:
Hi all, this is kind of bugging me and I’m not sure if I posted this in the correct forum, but it doesn’t have much to do with conversion to Catholicism, but rather something that I’m under the impression of that’s going on in my bible study, and I’m not sure how to respond.

For a few weeks beginning in mid-December I had gotten together with a few people to form a bible study during lunch break. All are Protestants from the same church while I’m the only non-Protestant.

Though non-practicing (well that’s not entirely true, I did attend Mass tonight in the first time since the night before Easter 2009), and removed from Catholicism, I hadn’t rejected it outright.

My intentions in forming a Bible Study was really just to gain other perspectives as to how one sees God’s Word, but also to form challenges and engage in debates to beef up people into becoming better at engaging the secularists in disputes. I did not have an intention of finding a “new” church.

With regards to my religious affiliation, it occurred to me that I didn’t truly understand what I was taught, and really wanted to go through the Catholic religion again which meant reading a Catholic Bible, the early church history, the saints, Catechism of the Church, etc. and truly understand where I come from and why it’s important.

So anyways, this past Friday, we had a bible study at one of the members’ homes, and it was a little awkward, just because they seemed to focus on trying to lead me to how they viewed things in that we weren’t just there for an intellectual discussion on the Bible.

And then came the time to leave for home. One of the members wanted to continue with the study next week, I was thinking of making this more of a bi-weekly thing (I live about 40-45 miles away and take van transportation to work with this one exception for the week, plus drive in for Overtime on weekends). I was kind of weary because of the level of importance he was in making this, as it is more than a friendly get-together, but more of a commitment, (which seems to be leading to my attempted conversion, which I reject on the grounds that while I may have doubts about my Catholicism, I’m at least willing to investigate it and see if they’re just to due to a lack of proper understanding). Also, I feel that I’m not really being allowed to approach this thing at my own pace, and thus I’m getting cautious.

Has anyone here experienced anything like that?
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I must sound like a broken record, because I gave the same advice to all questions like this.

Be non-confrontational, and say, “That’s an interesting interpretation (idea, thought, topic, fill in with whatever fits).” And that’s it. It might drive them crazy, but they’ll eventually get the idea that you understand that their ideas are just the ideas of people and not directives from God Himself. They might even be insulted that you aren’t swayed by their ideas-- the ego of one trying to convert another can be very big. But since this is supposed to be a Bible study and not an altar call (which should be self-initiated and not coerced, anyway), you have no reason to worry about how they’ve gone off in another direction with it.

Have you tried to find a Bible study run by Catholics? If you join one, you won’t have to worry about anyone trying to convert you, and you’ll be learning Catholic theology, which is what you say your interested in.

I hate to say that any education is a waste of time, but the Bible study group you’re with doesn’t seem to be the one you’re looking for.
 
As a convert to the beautiful Catholic faith I did not have (a) through (d) to contend with

a) they present their church group as a better choice for me,
b) they present my church group as not very good,
c) they discourage my participation in my church group,
d) they suggest I consider more participation with their church group.

It was my wife and the Holy Spirit that lead me to the Catholic Church. The short version is that the Holy Spirit led, my wife set the example. 🙂
 
i have a friend who i think is secretly converting me

she always invites me to gatherings at her protestant church which usually start as a banquet/party and ends in something sort of a service.

not that it has shaken my faith or anything, but i’m always thankful for the free food and good company 👍

i wouldn’t trade anything that i have right now for what they have. surely their community seems more appealing, but my primary reason for going to Church is to praise and worship Our Lord and Savior

but the last party-turned-into-a-service thing i attended at her chuch, the pastor/missionary was telling a story about his experiences in our home country (mine and my friend’s) and he was telling this story about a Catholic guy he converted to their faith (the missionary is pentecostal). i wanted to raise my hand and ask, “so what’s wrong wtih being a Catholic?”

also, he was telling a story about his son who wanted to continue his mission in the Philippines. but his wife didn’t want to get involved in that. so he said it was a blessing that his son got divorced and found another wife who were more than willing to go with him to the Philippines and continue his father’s mission. i wanted to raise my hand again and ask how could a divorce be a blessing when it clearly says in the bible you cannot divorce except for adultery. and clearly from his story the reason for their divorce was not adultery. so much for these Bible-only believers cherry picking the Bible.
 
Jesus told them to. Seriously. Look at the end of the gospels (can’t remember which).

Before ascending to heaven Jesus says to his followers “Go, you, therefore and make disciples of all nations.” (quote from memory, forgive me minor changes). He doesn’t say, “go and be nice to people and if they ask you why, tell them about me.” Nor does he say “Go and tell people to be vaguely convinced that I am God, but don’t expect them to make any changes in their lives.”

So here they come across a guy searching for the truth, but not particularly practicing any sort of faith and they do as they are told! Now they go off the rails whent hey apply their mistaken reformation theologies that reject authentic catholic teaching, but you can’t blame them for being consistent to what they believe. As christians, they (like us) believe that Christ himself commands us to share our Savior with all the world. But their definition of the word “christian” probably doesn’t include you. Typical evangelical outlook says that one isn’t a christian by baptism, but by a specific conversion experience in which you “accept Christ” and are saved in a manner similar to St. Paul on the road to Damascus.

Bottom line: don’t get mad at them, they’re just acting out their faith. But you’d do better finding a catholic bible study if you can. You’ll get a much fairer explanation of catholic teaching.

If you are taking a fresh look, try “Catholicism for Dummies.” Don’t be insulted, its actually a great book. Just DON’T buy “The complete Idiot’s Guide to Catholicism” by mistake. That one is barely worth using as campfire kindling.
 
choy said:
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also, he was telling a story about his son who wanted to continue his mission in the Philippines. but his wife didn’t want to get involved in that. so he said it was a blessing that his son got divorced and found another wife who were more than willing to go with him to the Philippines and continue his father’s mission. i wanted to raise my hand again and ask how could a divorce be a blessing when it clearly says in the bible you cannot divorce except for adultery. and clearly from his story the reason for their divorce was not adultery. so much for these Bible-only believers cherry picking the Bible.
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How do you know that the son divorced, rather than got divorced?

Yeah, in Scripture the only premise for divorce is unfaithfulness. Do you know that the son was unfaithful, and sought the divorce?

You seem to assume his guilt.

Sometimes yes, misfortune is a blessing. If he had an unfaithful wife or one desiring to be unfaithful, and she divorced him, yes that is a blessing.

These are real people. Further, I suspect that the young man you are accusing is too far away to have ever done anything to you.

I doubt that anyone was condoning the divorce – especially if it was a Pentecostal group. However, sometimes wrongful deeds lead to a blessing.

It looks like you are looking for a reason to condemn. I am sorry that you are offended that your friend is proselytizing.

Try handling it in a different way. Rather than trotting over here to malign these people, try simply telling your friend you will no longer be attending religious events with your friend.
 
I have been dealing with a similar issue from my parents. Their religious journey has led them away from more common denominations into what they call “energetic” faiths.

I have definitely felt the pressure to conform to these new ideas in much the same way that they did when I was active in their Episcopalian church.

I agree that excitement about your church is wonderful but the pressure to join makes it almost impossible for me to actually open my mind and listen to them.
 
Today I explained to my fellow co-worker that while I do enjoy the Bible study sessions, my intention is to not convert. And to be quite honest, at this point, my most likely move will be to gradually return to Catholicism. I have already attended Mass this past Saturday evening, heck I actually started doing Fish Friday (yeah, I know nowadays it’s reserved for the weeks of Lent, but unless I’m wrong, it used to be every Friday of the year), about two-three weeks ago.

I can respect the other Bible Study members’ commitment to their faith, but the more time I spend here and take note of some of the historical references, and really begin to delve into the hard-core philosophical and theological components of Catholicism, I have a greater appreciation for the religion I was raised in and find my beliefs are distant to the others.
 
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