The Act of Christian Proselytizing on College Campuses

[PA650]

The reason for this thread is to open a discussion pertaining to Christian proselytizing on college campuses and/or in public settings and its positive and negative effects. For example, I attend a major university in the state of Oregon and at certain times of the year the university becomes a point of convergence for “Burn in Hell, or accept Jesus Christ” type Christians. Frankly, in my opinion their efforts fall short of informing people, but instead alienate them.

 

[Harpazo]

The reason for this thread is to open a discussion pertaining to Christian proselytizing on college campuses and/or in public settings and its positive and negative effects. For example, I attend a major university in the state of Oregon and at certain times of the year the university becomes a point of convergence for “Burn in Hell, or accept Jesus Christ” type Christians. Frankly, in my opinion their efforts fall short of informing people, but instead alienate them.

I sort of hear that on a regular basis when coming across Evangelicals and Baptists where I live in VA. We’re rather close to the Bible Belt. I personally don’t understand anyone who uses those tactics and it’s becoming a rather common occurrence by certain Catholic posters here on CAF. It really does no good in showing people the love of Christ by threatening them with damnation and flaunting around with an air of superiority.

How does it affect people on your campus?

In Christ,
Andrew

 

[BareKnuckler]

I personally doubt they’d do that on the college I’m going too (a military college) but eh, I seen a video of a Brother Micah, who does it, I find it hilarious, and wouldn’t mind scaring them off, if they ever came to my school, but I doubt that will ever happen. The only group of christians I’d ever consider beating down, are the Westboro Baptists (they aren’t baptist btw).

 

[PA650]

The reason for this thread is to open a discussion pertaining to Christian proselytizing on college campuses and/or in public settings and its positive and negative effects. For example, I attend a major university in the state of Oregon and at certain times of the year the university becomes a point of convergence for “Burn in Hell, or accept Jesus Christ” type Christians. Frankly, in my opinion their efforts fall short of informing people, but instead alienates them.

 

[nsper7]

The reason for this thread is to open a discussion pertaining to Christian proselytizing on college campuses and/or in public settings and its positive and negative effects. For example, I attend a major university in the state of Oregon and at certain times of the year the university becomes a point of convergence for “Burn in Hell, or accept Jesus Christ” type Christians. Frankly, in my opinion their efforts fall short of informing people, but instead alienate them.

Although I find their words often offensive, or at least their ‘in-your-face’ attitude and their pathological Anti-Catholicism, some might say they are the most honest of Christians. After all, once we get past the flowery language and such, isn’t that the bare-bones about Christianity? Granted, Protestants may disagree with each other and with Catholics as to what it takes to enter Heaven (i.e. mental belief only, belief+works, what works?, etc.), but isn’t that the nitty-gritty message?

After all, one could go on for hours about God’s for us and that might cause a warm-fuzzy feeling in many, but would people that the Christian message seriously if there was not that threat of eternal damnation behind it?

 

[JonNC]

The reason for this thread is to open a discussion pertaining to Christian proselytizing on college campuses and/or in public settings and its positive and negative effects. For example, I attend a major university in the state of Oregon and at certain times of the year the university becomes a point of convergence for “Burn in Hell, or accept Jesus Christ” type Christians. Frankly, in my opinion their efforts fall short of informing people, but instead alienate them.

All Christians are subject to the “Great Commission”. How we do it is the issue. In-your-face, burn in hell stuuf only pushes people away. One would think we could come up with the positive aspects of our faith experience to share, then make ourselves available to share it. Willing to share and force-feeding are totally different things.

Jon

 

[rossum]

The reason for this thread is to open a discussion pertaining to Christian proselytizing on college campuses and/or in public settings and its positive and negative effects. For example, I attend a major university in the state of Oregon and at certain times of the year the university becomes a point of convergence for “Burn in Hell, or accept Jesus Christ” type Christians. Frankly, in my opinion their efforts fall short of informing people, but instead alienate them.

From my non-Christian point of view the “You are going to burn in Hell!” stuff only put me off. A much better approach is the one (allegedly*) recommended by Saint Francis of Assisi: “Preach always, use words if you have to”.

(*) Does anyone have the actual reference for this quote? I have seen it often but never with an actual reference to the original place Saint Francis said or wrote it.

rossum

 

[yellowbird]

I don’t know about the in your face burn in hell types on college campuses, but if you’re talking about InterVarsity Fellowship or Campus Crusade I think those are GOOD organizations. Although I’ve not personally been members of either, I have friends who were and they would invite students to fun social type events and eventually get around to sharing the gospel with them. While I disagree with parts of their message, (OSAS etc.) I applaud their efforts and think anything that might distract the college kids from getting drunk and having sex is a good thing.

 

[PA650]

Thank you everyone for your insight on this topic.

How does it affect people on your campus?

These individuals are usually met with indifference albeit some students engage in a debate with them, and some might direct epithets to them, but that’s usually quite rare

Although I find their words often offensive, or at least their ‘in-your-face’ attitude and their pathological Anti-Catholicism, some might say they are the most honest of Christians. After all, once we get past the flowery language and such, isn’t that the bare-bones about Christianity? Granted, Protestants may disagree with each other and with Catholics as to what it takes to enter Heaven (i.e. mental belief only, belief+works, what works?, etc.), but isn’t that the nitty-gritty message?

After all, one could go on for hours about God’s for us and that might cause a warm-fuzzy feeling in many, but would people that the Christian message seriously if there was not that threat of eternal damnation behind it?

In the end, I tend to leave such matters up to God. These fundamentalist Christians tend to group everyone but themselves as sinners who deserve hell. They certainly don’t know what’s on the hearts and minds of the students and professors that pass by them and thus I find their methods to be counterproductive.

All Christians are subject to the “Great Commission”. How we do it is the issue. In-your-face, burn in hell stuuf only pushes people away. One would think we could come up with the positive aspects of our faith experience to share, then make ourselves available to share it. Willing to share and force-feeding are totally different things.

A good point, JonNC.

I don’t know about the in your face burn in hell types on college campuses, but if you’re talking about InterVarsity Fellowship or Campus Crusade I think those are GOOD organizations. Although I’ve not personally been members of either, I have friends who were and they would invite students to fun social type events and eventually get around to sharing the gospel with them. While I disagree with parts of their message, (OSAS etc.) I applaud their efforts and think anything that might distract the college kids from getting drunk and having sex is a good thing.

Campus Crusade and the Newman Center are evident on campus. Although you would probably encounter Campus Crusade more often than the Newman Center and they’re not part of the group of individuals I mentioned in my first post.

 

[JonNC]

Thank you everyone for your insight on this topic.

These individuals are usually met with indifference albeit some students engage in a debate with them, and some might direct epithets to them, but that’s usually quite rare

In the end, I tend to leave such matters up to God. These fundamentalist Christians tend to group everyone but themselves as sinners who deserve hell. They certainly don’t know what’s on the hearts and minds of the students and professors that pass by them and thus I find their methods to be counterproductive.

A good point, JonNC.

Campus Crusade and the Newman Center are evident on campus. Although you would probably encounter Campus Crusade more often than the Newman Center and they’re not part of the group of individuals I mentioned in my first post.

Thanks, PA650.
I might also clarify that to me it is a waste of time to proselytize, as to me that term implies one is targeting other Christians for conversion (sheep stealing). Evangelizing is what is called for in the Great Commission, seeking the unchurched in the positive ways we’ve been discussing.

Jon

 

[PA650]

Thanks, PA650.
I might also clarify that to me it is a waste of time to proselytize, as to me that term implies one is targeting other Christians for conversion (sheep stealing). Evangelizing is what is called for in the Great Commission, seeking the unchurched in the positive ways we’ve been discussing.

Jon

You’re welcome. Yes, quite true. The act of Evangelizing can be applied to these individuals.

 

[nsper7]

Thanks, PA650.
I might also clarify that to me it is a waste of time to proselytize, as to me that term implies one is targeting other Christians for conversion (sheep stealing). Evangelizing is what is called for in the Great Commission, seeking the unchurched in the positive ways we’ve been discussing.

Jon

Remember though that from the Catholic point-of-view, there are two ideals:

1. Reaching non-Christians and bringing them to a Catholic faith in Christ
2. Reaching Non-Catholics and bringing them into the fullness of Catholic truth

Now, you can say that is prideful/arrogant on the part of Catholic, but do remember that Luther would probably have held similar views towards Catholics and some of the later more radical Protestant reformers. After all, were not much of his writings geared towards convincing Catholics of the truth of his claims?