Why Don't Catholics Evangelize?

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I’m personally glad Catholics do not evangelize in the “in your face” way bornagains do. If they did, I’d have to distance myself from them, as I do from bornagains.

Catholics generally evangelize by their good works and how they are toward others. They seem to believe that in showing what their faith did for them, without being pushy about it, it will make others want to join their religion.

This has not drawn me into their church, because I am a religious Jew and in Orthodox Judaism, we also do many good works to help others, with charities,etc So for me, I see what they do as a Catholic version of what we do.

But I can see how it would draw in others, who do not already have a religious background doing similar things.
 
Fidelis said:
Yup, you guys are absolutely right! I should have added a “But I do evangelize!” or at least prefaced the question: “For those of you Catholics who don’t evangelize…”

I don’t think I can re-do the poll, but how about continuing this thread with the above provisos in mind? 🙂
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It is cool. You are probably getting some good responses either way.
 
I’d have to say, to who?

How do we define evangelize? Seldom in my life does the opportunity come up to discuss Catholicism. If what we mean by evangelize is to approach someone of another faith or of no faith and, out of context, attempt to convince them of Catholicism, well, I just don’t have it in me to do that for two reasons.
  1. It seems inappropriate.
  2. I do not believe it would work with a person of another faith who is likely just as committed to thier faith as I am to Catholicism.
Now, if the opportunity arose to have a discussion I’d welcome the opportunity. This has happened so few times in the past 5 years (revert) that I could count them on one hand and have fingers left over.
 
Well, no “None of the above” button here and quite awkward categories.

To evangelize, one must:
  1. Know one’s faith
  2. Live one’s faith
  3. Share one’s faith
As a thought experiment, let’s apply the following percentages to those Catholics who do each of these in sufficient measure for this purpose:

Know one’s faith - 25%
Live one’s faith - 30%
Share one’s faith - 20%

Change the numbers any way you like, but multiply them together at the end since all three are required to effectively evangelize.
Mine yield about 1.5%.

If I had to guess as to causes, I’d offer the following:
  1. Know one’s faith - inadequate catechesis combined with not attending Mass frequently enough combined with a lack of curiosity
  2. Live one’s faith - secular culture rot combined with the decline of the liturgy combined with the corrosive notion that the individual matters most in faith
  3. Share one’s faith - political correctness combined with politeness combined with anti-Catholic bigotry
Just my opinion; your mileage may vary.
 
Here’s a different one for ya:

“Fear of doing more harm than good.”

Chuck
 
HashemEchad said:
I’m personally glad Catholics do not evangelize in the “in your face” way bornagains do. If they did, I’d have to distance myself from them, as I do from bornagains.
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Shalom Elechim!
You and me both my friend!😃 In fact, one of my favorite friends is an Orthodox Jew whom I met while we were both catching grief from some n-C Christians for our respective faiths.

We talk often about Hashem and our respective beliefs. I have learned A TON from him.
Catholics generally evangelize by their good works and how they are toward others. They seem to believe that in showing what their faith did for them, without being pushy about it, it will make others want to join their religion.
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Yeah, that has a lot to do with Matthew 25:31-46 and James 2. 🙂
This has not drawn me into their church, because I am a religious Jew and in Orthodox Judaism, we also do many good works to help others, with charities,etc So for me, I see what they do as a Catholic version of what we do.
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Yep…Mikvahs, right?
But I can see how it would draw in others, who do not already have a religious background doing similar things.
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Which is a lot better than trying to steal each other’s sheep, right? :rotfl:
 
HashemEchad said:
I’m personally glad Catholics do not evangelize in the “in your face” way bornagains do. If they did, I’d have to distance myself from them, as I do from bornagains.

Catholics generally evangelize by their good works and how they are toward others. They seem to believe that in showing what their faith did for them, without being pushy about it, it will make others want to join their religion.

This has not drawn me into their church, because I am a religious Jew and in Orthodox Judaism, we also do many good works to help others, with charities,etc So for me, I see what they do as a Catholic version of what we do.

But I can see how it would draw in others, who do not already have a religious background doing similar things.
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If you knew someone who had a disease that was going to kill them and you knew a person who had the cure for their deadly disease would you tell them about the person who has the cure for their deadly disease?
*
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23*

.
 
emeraldisle said:
If you knew someone who had a disease that was going to kill them and you knew a person who had the cure for their deadly disease would you tell them about the person who has the cure for their deadly disease?
*
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23*

.
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Well, you know, in my religion we believe that only Jews need to keep Torah. Everyone else can get to heaven by keeping the 7 Laws of Noah (which are just basic laws of morality.)

I feel no need to proselytize those outside the Jewish nation, since most Gentiles already keep the 7 laws of Noah without realizing it.
 
HashemEchad said:
Well, you know, in my religion we believe that only Jews need to keep Torah. Everyone else can get to heaven by keeping the 7 Laws of Noah (which are just basic laws of morality.)

I feel no need to proselytize those outside the Jewish nation, since most Gentiles already keep the 7 laws of Noah without realizing it.
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You and no-one can get to heaven in their sinful state. How do you get your sins removed?
**
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23**

.
 
emeraldisle said:
You and no-one can get to heaven in their sinful state. How do you get your sins removed?
**
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23**

.
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In Judaism, blood atonement (with animals, not humans or deities) is one of several ways. But you need a Temple for that.

Another major way is by doing good deeds and following the Torah. Proverbs 16:6 can give you some insight into that, where King Solomon says, “By mercy and truth sin is atoned for”.
 
I should also note that not only do Catholics evangelize, but we invented the practice and cornered the market on it.

This is why those evangelical communities which have discovered Africa and South America on missions trips keep running into Catholic parishes, some centuries older than the founding date of the evangelical denomination seeking to save the locals for Christ.
 
HashemEchad said:
In Judaism, blood atonement (with animals, not humans or deities) is one of several ways. But you need a Temple for that.
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There’s no need for Temple sacrifices, the Lord Jesus’ finished work on the cross is the ultimate sacrifice for sin.
*
18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 1 Peter 1:18-19*
Another major way is by doing good deeds and following the Torah. Proverbs 16:6 can give you some insight into that, where King Solomon says, “By mercy and truth sin is atoned for”.
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This verse relates to Gods mercy & truth, remember Jesus said He is the way, the truth & the life, John 14:6.

Also remember God says the following in the Bible about mans good deeds/righteousness.

For all of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; Isaiah 64:6

.
 
Mangy_Donkey said:
Peter was the first Pope…“No he wasn’t, show me Pope in the Bible”
Mary was assumed into heaven…"No she wasn’t, show me that in the Bible.
We pray to the blessed Virgin and saints for intersession…“Oh ya show me that in the Bible”

and on and on, I try my best but my patience isn’t that of Job.
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I quess it is right to assume that you do not believe in the Apostolic succession? Judas Iscariot was replaced by Matthis. You can refer to the Pope as the head Apostle if you want.
If Mary is not in heaven God help us all. Enough said.
Have you not asked someone to pray for you or someone else at any time? I not sure if the bible has to spell that out for you, but I am pretty sure it is what Jesus would want us to do for each other. Love thy neighbor as thy self.
 
Fidelis said:
I don’t mean by just being a good Catholic. That’s only HALF the equation if you don’t follow through.The St. Francis quote is often used as a cop out.

By evangelism I mean sharing the Catholic Faith in an explicit way by explaining it to someone, inviting them to Mass, giving them good Catholic literature or other media, distributing Catholic tracts, etc, etc. If not, why not???
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You obviously have never met me. Well, how do you do? I am a Catholic who is a fervent evangelizer. Sorry that I don’t fit your profile. Couldn’t vote in your poll. Not applicable…God Bless, teachccd
 
We don’t evangelize, except for a minute percentage, because we haven’t been taught what the Gospel is and its kernel & center. Until a person knows what that is it is very difficult, but not impossible, to evangelize.

The only way to know what the Gospel is & its kernel & center is by reading the Popes. They explain it and teach it. Problem is the seminarians are not being taught to read the Popes which means they remain in ignorance as well as the laity.

So long as clergy & laity think the Gospel is the four written gospels the Catholic Church is going to continue to decline in this country. And as the Cath. Church declines in any country then that country will decline as well.
 
JOE_OBERR said:
Problem is the seminarians are not being taught to read the Popes which means they remain in ignorance as well as the laity.
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That is a blanket statement that needs more careful consideration. We have a priest who was ordained five years ago that can evangelize circles around any evangelical protestant preacher. He knows his scripture, and is very solid on Church doctrine.

There are more resources for catechesis than just the Pope’s writings. There are many sound Catholic authors who promote Catholic doctrine and who should be considered as part of one’s catechesis.

Plesae be cautious when attacking our priests with such statements. Yes, we have those who dissent to Catholic teachings but then so did Peter our first Pope when he denied knowing Christ. Let’s all work together and avoid pointing fingers…God Bless…teachccd
 
I evangelise… but not as much as I should… its most easy if I meet a person of no or little belief or from a particular other religion… then if its the right circumstance I can really be seized…

But I could get alot better.
Normally I don’t “evangelise” fellow Christians if I see they already are in Christ in a living relationship with Him… I believe that I might even often be in need of being evangelised myself by some of them. It does not follow with church-name that people are full of the love, power, and wisdom of the Holy Spirit…

I could become better…
I have both fear, laziness and disbelief in my ministry as a disciple… eg. I never yet walked over to a sick person and said “I believe in a Lord who heals, can I pray for you?” even though I know many evangelical friends do this and with great success too…
I need more courage and more FAITH. 👍
 
Thanks to all who participated. This thread is now closed.
MF
 
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