Powernoia

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Evanescence

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Do you ever feel that others are trying to preach/evangelise or try to convert you into their church/ religion?

So much that you are powernoid about it?
can you tell if they are trying to convert you or not?

I’m having this powernoia problem… 😦

any suggestions?

Evanescence
 
As a Catholic…I often feel I am targeted by “protestants” of certain groups, most often JW’s, and evangelicals who bash away at Catholicism…very misguidedly so…and apparently think that their nonsense will cause a conversion. Or, on the other hand…they will try the subtle approach…quoting tons of scriptures, all of which are “bites” or one-liners taken out of context, which in and of themselves have little or no meaning…and think that I will roll over and play dead for them. Nope, just isn’t going to happen. I have even had people who claim to be “former Catholics” try. My response to them is: If you changed your religion and your beliefs…you never really were a Catholic, because “once a Catholic, always a Catholic”. So I don’t buy their “hoooey”.

I’m a bit of a hard case on some issues, and my faith is one of them. Even if the person doing the “conversion try” has been a friend… I will tell them that the issue is out of bounds, and they have to accept the fact that I am a Catholic or move on down the road… Some depart quickly. But I have to tell you I feel no sense of loss when it happens. A true friend is a person who will take a bullet for you. While that sounds extreme, its a fact. Anyone else is merely a passing acquaintance… My eternal salvation is far more important than their immediate feelings.

If they just want to discuss “religion”…fine, but when it starts to sound or feel like they are “prosletyzing” (sp) thats when the red flag goes up.
 
I am an Anabaptist, my best friend is a Catholic (in name mostly) and we have had some great discussions without ever getting into evangelizing each other. The difference is that we go into the discussion with open minds and for better understanding of each other, not to prove the other wrong.

Personally I see talking as lazy evangelism. In the end actions are where the rubber hits the road. If someone is trying to sway you with words, sway him with actions. As a wise man once said “Preach Christ always, and if necessary use words”.

Part of the Mennonite tradition is acceptance of persecution and indeed I believe this is a burden we share with our Catholic brethren. Some day it may come down to some very difficult choices and in the end all we leave are the fruits of our faith or lack there-of. Show fruits of graciousness to those who might persecute you in words and you plant the seed of the spirit. They may never come around to your way of thinking but you will give them a case of cognitive dissonance (a situation that can’t be explained by their current world view) and hopefully you will open their eyes to the truth that we are all brothers and sisters even if separated by dogma… Pray for them, love them, and in the end I believe we’ll all get a good laugh about it in heaven.
 
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Evanescence:
Do you ever feel that others are trying to preach/evangelise or try to convert you into their church/ religion?

So much that you are powernoid about it?
can you tell if they are trying to convert you or not?

I’m having this powernoia problem… 😦

any suggestions?

Evanescence
Click to expand...
Do you mean paranoia.
 
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Shlemele:
… As a wise man once said “Preach Christ always, and if necessary use words”.
Click to expand...
this is a catholic quote. who was it. St. Francis of assisi?
 
“Preach the Gospel at all times, and, when neccessary, use words.”

-St. Francis of Assisi
 
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