How to evangelize deist, non-church going parent

[yellow8yellowM]

I am looking for advice on how to evangelize a parent with these characteristics:

1. Believes in God.
2. Possibly believes that Jesus is God.
3. Does not believe the bible is inspired and infallible.
4. Is against church attendance.
5. Commits grave sins daily but believes only really bad people go to Hell.

This person is willing to talk about religion, but logic and reason go out the window after only a few words are exchanged. I pray for him, obviously, but is there anything I can say that can be effective?

 

[Lasting_faith]

One thing that does not work is preaching and constant talking about religion. I think we all need to find God, or rather as it was in my case, let God find us. I did not really knew who God was, first in school I did find out that, but He was in my life long before I did know who He was. I think the best way is to pray. Sometimes it is the only we can do. I understand your feelings, it is not a pleasant thing to see someone you love commit mortal sins, it is hard. But do you have a choice?

I must confess that I don’t like the word evangelize someone. It is a thing we should do, but in my mind it is best to thru our own life do it. Show example, and pray. But you must understand that all people are not religius. That is a fact, and we can only pray for them. But I know that if someone “force” religion in someones life it does not work, that usually will make the gap even wider. Those who do it are doing what they think is right, and they may save a few souls, I give you that. But in the long run it fail. So pray, show how you do things and don’t “preach”. God will help you, have faith in that. God bless you.

 

[stephe1987]

Just keep praying. If he asks questions, be prepared to answer them, especially on matters you are likely to disagree on. Study the faith. There are so many good books out there and good articles online to equip yourself. A search for deism can help you answer many common questions.

I would not go out of my way to evangelize a family member. Family and close friends are the least likely to listen because they know you too well. They might take something you say as a personal attack (e.g. you mention that a sin they’re currently committing is, in fact, a sin) and draw further away from Jesus. They may even think you are unreliable/hypocritical because they know about your past sins (ad hominem attack). Also, if it is a parent or an aunt or uncle or someone from an older generation, they might think you do not know what you are talking about because you are “below” them (another version of ad hominem). Be open to questions, and clarify if someone misrepresents the faith, but you are not likely to win souls by starting conversations about the Catholic faith at a family gathering. Relatives might even distance themselves from you, and you could be the only Catholic influence in their lives!

Pray and lead by example. Try your best not to sin. Volunteer to help others. Just be joyful in general and observers will want to know your secret and you can tell them you are Catholic!

 

[StThomasRocks]

Depends on the type of relationship you have with this parent. Is this a close parent? An estranged parent? This type of thing may play a role.

Be wise, be clever! We have so many tools at our disposal that weren’t available in the time of the Lord. Perhaps allowing them to happen upon you watching a movie like Passion of the Christ and discussing it with them afterwards would be a good conversation starter. Do they enjoy reading? Copy the introduction of Rediscovering Catholicism and ask them to read it! The possibilities are endless. Praying for you!