Proselytism?

[AbideWithMe]

Right ^^^. I know Catholics are targeting by some Protestants. I was responding specifically to the idea that Catholics do not try to convert other Christians to Catholicism. Some Catholics do, and they would not deny it.

Whether or not that’s a reasonable way for Catholics to spend their energy at this time is another question entirely; I was simply observing that it undeniably occurs.

 

[Peter_J]

I was simply observing that it undeniably occurs.

I don’t disagree, but I would prefer to put it a bit differently: I’d say that, generally speaking, the way protestants are treated on Catholic fora is neither much better nor much worse than how Catholics are treated on protestant fora.

Of course, I’m not suggesting that “Two wrongs a right make.” Just recognizing the reality of the situation.

 

[Philomath]

I don’t like Proselytization. Iff people are interested in your religion or cause they’ll join it, they shouldn’t need persuasion.

 

[andrewstx]

I live in far west and proseletysing is rife here. But not Catholics and Protestants for the most part, but between the most prevalent fundamentalist denominations. Southern Baptist and “church of Christ” Campbellites.

Neither one considers the followers of the other body Christians and they are constantly ‘stealing each other’s sheep’.

The funny thing is that to people who belong to neither they are practically identical. They have nearly the same teaching on baptism, submersion of mature believers only. The only difference is that Baptists say that baptism comes only after ‘getting saved’ and the Campbellites say that baptism is part of what saves. That’s it!

There is some Catholic and Protestant proselytizing here, but it is small compared to the rivalry between theBs and Cs.

Catholicism here grows by immigration. But I am always amazed at so many people with Irish, German, and Polish names who end up being buried from S Baptist and Campbellite churches.

 

[Contarini]

I don’t disagree, but I would prefer to put it a bit differently: I’d say that, generally speaking, the way protestants are treated on Catholic fora is neither much better nor much worse than how Catholics are treated on protestant fora.

Well, it depends no doubt on the Protestant forum. The comparison often made here is to CARM. I have spent a little time on CARM and would definitely say that Protestants have much more freedom to promote there views here than Catholics do on CARM. But there are no doubt better Protestant forums out there.

Edwin

 

[zaffiroborant]

Well, it depends no doubt on the Protestant forum. The comparison often made here is to CARM. I have spent a little time on CARM and would definitely say that Protestants have much more freedom to promote there views here than Catholics do on CARM. But there are no doubt better Protestant forums out there.

Edwin

CARM is a mean mean place.

 

[Peter_J]

Well, it depends no doubt on the Protestant forum.

True. I should have said “how Catholics are treated on an average protestant forum”.

 

[Contarini]

Well, it depends no doubt on the Protestant forum. The comparison often made here is to CARM. I have spent a little time on CARM and would definitely say that Protestants have much more freedom to promote there views here than Catholics do on CARM. But there are no doubt better Protestant forums out there.

Edwin

Oh my goodness. I said “there” for “their.” I think I had better retire from the Forum. No one will ever respect me again.

Edwin

 

[AbideWithMe]

Oh my goodness. I said “there” for “their.” I think I had better retire from the Forum. No one will ever respect me again.

Edwin

…Episcopalian guilt at work.

 

[Contarini]

…Episcopalian guilt at work.

Exactly.

 

[Matthew_Light]

I have been the target of conversion efforts on countless occasions, in some cases it has been specifically because of my Catholic faith. But on every occasion my faith was treated dismissively at best, not a single proselytizer felt my Catholic faith was acceptable, at the worst it was pointedly disparaged. Often Catholics like Mormons are considered in need of rescue from the “cult” they are in, so I can’t agree that Catholics are not the target of conversion.

Yes, it’s really icky feeling. It’s like we as human beings feel the need to discount others relationship with God unless we agree with them doctrinally.

Our natural human tribalism infects our religious thinking, and we treat our Faith like we’re members of a sports team. I have seen people of every belief system and religion do this, including (of course!) Baha’is.

I think Christ taught us a much better way to be; we don’t always do a good job following what He showed us:

“And behold a certain lawyer stood up, tempting him, and saying, Master, what must I do to possess eternal life?
26 But he said to him: What is written in the law? how readest thou?
27 He answering, said: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind: and thy neighbour as thyself.
28 And he said to him: Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
29 But he willing to justify himself, said to Jesus: And who is my neighbour?
30 And Jesus answering, said: A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, who also stripped him, and having wounded him went away, leaving him half dead.
31 And it chanced, that a certain priest went down the same way: and seeing him, passed by.
32 In like manner also a Levite, when he was near the place and saw him, passed by.
33 But a certain Samaritan being on his journey, came near him; and seeing him, was moved with compassion.
34 And going up to him, bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine: and setting him upon his own beast, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
35 And the next day he took out two pence, and gave to the host, and said: Take care of him; and whatsoever thou shalt spend over and above, I, at my return, will repay thee.
36 Which of these three, in thy opinion, was neighbour to him that fell among the robbers?
37 But he said: He that shewed mercy to him. And Jesus said to him: Go, and do thou in like manner.” - Luke 10:25-37

 

[Skadi]

I’m curious what people believe about Proselytism in general especially in relation to non-catholic religions and the Catholic religion. I’m curious to know what non-Catholics think about and and what Catholics think about it. And I will define the term proselytize for people so that they can know just what exactly I am talking about.

Proselytize (Dictionary.Com)
-to convert or attempt to convert as a proselyte; recruit.
.

So Proselytism… Good or bad?

And if you believe your Religion (Catholic or Non-Catholic) to be true then wouldn’t it make since that you should try to proselytize people? Also, it seems that Christianity, namely Catholicism, is built on trying to proselytize people. The idea that there is One True Faith automatically assumes that all other Faiths are false and it would follow that we would want people to believe the same as we do…

Just for a quick scripture reference on what I think pertains to Proselytism…

Matthew 28:19-20
19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age."

Anyways, I’m interested in a discussion! God bless you all!

In almost all cases pagans are anti-prostelization.

I have no desire to make anyone my religion. It is each person choice. I do however love fire and brimstone fundimentalist preachers on campus. They prove remarkably easy to frustrate

 

[Mujeres_Oran]

My Mother In Law, Want to bring her Sister, to her little christian church, her sister is “catholic” she don’t drive so it is hard to her to go to mass specially here in florida, one of the arguments she give her is the Images are bad and go against the Bible, so resuming she is telling her she is a sinner, and need to go to her church to be saved…I offer her that when she wants to go to mass, i will take her, also i told her if you in your heart want to go to the other church do it, do it because you want to be close to God, Because you need Jesus, not because somebody is telling you and scared you.

Close to my house they have a Church that use "no perfect people allowed’ as publicity, i found business cards all the time at the gas stations, they sell t-shirts, hoodys etc with the name of the church, for Christmas they have people giving flyers everywhere to advertised they Christmas event, I’m nobody to criticized or judge, but for me it is a little exaggerated and the priority seems to be, bring as many people we can.
as I comment on another thread, Using things like we have a big child center, Where are the 3rd mega church in U.S, Or Even as A Catholic use the saints to bring people to the church is not the Message to evangelized people…
Church is not a competition

I don’t thing is right for you to talk about my mother who has only showed loved for your daughter who are you to judge what she does , look at yourself first your daughter when my mom has loved for 6 yearS and does no harm , your daughter that did not know who was God.