Why is proselytism is wrong?

[UnityofTrinity]

Why is it wrong? Didn’t Jesus tell us to preach to others? I’ve seen some posts here that say Allah is the same God as the Christian God, but I’m a bit confused. If there is only one God, then how can the God of Islam is so different than the God which is described in the Christian Bible? Jesus can either be a prophet or Son of God. Yet how can God present Christ as the Son of God while the God of Islam present Christ as ONLY a prophet?

Thus, isn’t this is why proselytism is not just morally not wrong but also a nesscessity? For there is one God, and there is only one way for all to be saved, which is through Jesus Christ.

 

[Elizium23]

I don’t understand your question. For people of other faiths, proselytizing to Catholics is forbidden on the Catholic Answers forums because it could lead Catholics away from the True Faith. Proselytizing the Christian faith to others is the highest duty of Catholics and the Church: The Great Commission. [BIBLEDRB]Matthew 28:16-20[/BIBLEDRB]

 

[ethereality]

Elizium summarized the matter very well. The forums here prohibit proselytizing to curb those ignorant of Catholicism hoping to “lead Catholics to Christ” (and away from his Presence in the Eucharist …) for example.

 

[runningdude]

Why is it wrong? Didn’t Jesus tell us to preach to others?

The term “proselytism” has a very negative connotation. It implies going to any measure to convert someone. This could include ridiculing someone’s deeply held and sincere beliefs, to as extreme as persecution. Either way it doesn’t respect the human dignity of the one being converted.

Preaching and sharing the good news is a must - God wants us to freely choose to love and follow him! This means building up a person through encouragement and authentic relationships leading toward God, not ridicule tearing another down.

I’ve seen some posts here that say Allah is the same God as the Christian God, but I’m a bit confused. If there is only one God, then how can the God of Islam is so different than the God which is described in the Christian Bible? Jesus can either be a prophet or Son of God. Yet how can God present Christ as the Son of God while the God of Islam present Christ as ONLY a prophet?

Woah! Totally different subject here. But one that could be illustrative. To convert a Muslim authentically, one needs to accept that they worship our God. Objectively, their beliefs about God are erroneous, but subjectively, they believe worship the same God that Abraham, Issac, and countless Jews before Christ had worshiped.

Thus, isn’t this is why proselytism is not just morally not wrong but also a nesscessity? For there is one God, and there is only one way for all to be saved, which is through Jesus Christ.

Its easy to ridicule Islam for its flaws. But its harder to build on the bits of truth scattered in there. Its these bits of truth that Muslims cling too so strongly. Proselytism ignores the truth, and focuses solely on outward conversion to Christ.

But Christ wants more. He wants us to reach out and complete the work that He’s already begun in their hearts!

 

[ethereality]

runningdude, you seem to be working with a false definition of proselytizing based upon perceived connotation rather than denotation; I think you’re responding to something other than what OP was asking.

 

[ConstantineTG]

Why is it wrong? Didn’t Jesus tell us to preach to others? I’ve seen some posts here that say Allah is the same God as the Christian God, but I’m a bit confused. If there is only one God, then how can the God of Islam is so different than the God which is described in the Christian Bible? Jesus can either be a prophet or Son of God. Yet how can God present Christ as the Son of God while the God of Islam present Christ as ONLY a prophet?

Thus, isn’t this is why proselytism is not just morally not wrong but also a nesscessity? For there is one God, and there is only one way for all to be saved, which is through Jesus Christ.

Proselytism is wrong because there is nothing good in forcing someone to accept your beliefs. Preaching to people doesn’t mean you’ll ram down your theology on their throats. Its clear as day in the Bible, when Jesus preached He didn’t force people to listen to Him. Those who would be interested would listen, some will follow Him around for days. And there are those who would ignore Him or even chase Him away. If they didn’t accept His message, He just moved on to the next town.

Proselytism hardly creates converts. It does create enemies and many of the religious wars of history is a product of proselytism as one would want to force their faith on the other.

 

[ethereality]

Huh. I don’t get why so many limit the word now to mean “forced conversion attempt” – how sad that the word has lost its meaning for apparently so many here.

 

[runningdude]

Huh. I don’t get why so many limit the word now to mean “forced conversion attempt” – how sad that the word has lost its meaning for apparently so many here.

But that meaning is precisely why “proselytizing” is bad

runningdude, you seem to be working with a false definition of proselytizing based upon perceived connotation rather than denotation; I think you’re responding to something other than what OP was asking.

Take a look at some synonyms/related words offered by Merriam-Webster… Its not just me

Definition of PROSELYTIZE

to persuade to change to one’s religious faith <the efforts of early missionaries to proselytize the Native Americans of Minnesota were largely unproductive>

Synonyms proselyte, proselytize
Related Words missionize; brainwash, influence, sway; propagate
Near Antonyms secularize; dissuade

merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proselytize

Basically the word “proselytizing” is loaded (just think what happened to some of those Native Americans ). In the strictest sense, of course we are called to proselytize, but in a responsible and ethical manner that isn’t necessarily implied by that term.

 

[runningdude]

runningdude, you seem to be working with a false definition of proselytizing based upon perceived connotation rather than denotation; I think you’re responding to something other than what OP was asking.

Take a look at some synonyms/related words offered by Merriam-Webster… Its not just me

merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proselytize

Definition of PROSELYTIZE

to persuade to change to one’s religious faith

Synonyms proselyte, proselytize
Related Words missionize; brainwash, influence, sway; propagate
Near Antonyms secularize; dissuade