To proselytize, or not to proselytize. That is the question

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vargo
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To proselytize, or not to proselytize. That is the question

Post by vargo »

I would like to submit this topic to the ever scrutinizing eyes of the members of this forum.

I'm not so interested in the debate itself, but that those who do make it a habit to proselytize or evangelize, might see things in a new light, as well as those who do not proselytize.

Recently I discovered a "fundi" website for The Restored Church of God(hereafter referred to as RCG). I was stunned in that they do not follow the practice of proselytizing.

http://www.thercg.org/home.html

Definition of proselytize:

1 : to induce someone to convert to one's faith
2 : to recruit someone to join one's party, institution, or cause

Definition of evangelize:

1 : to preach the gospel to
2 : to convert to Christianity

This website:http://www.secondexodus.com/html/evange ... 0elize.htm , attempts to disassociate the terms proselytize and evangelize. As we can see from the definitions of the two words, the only disassociation of them is in that the word evangelize refers directly to Christianity, whereas proselytize does not refer to any particular religion, or group at all. It could be said that the military practices the policy of proselytizing on coledge campus's. The argument could be made that the practice of evangelism could be narrowed down to a set of noninvasive practices. I hope someone will be willing to provide an argument in support of that. I however will not.

Here is the policy on proselytizing for the RCG:


RCG: http://www.thercg.org/books/hitrcog.htmlwrote:
Where Do We Fit in the World?

Christ did not come to earth begging people to become converted, but rather with the announcement described earlier. He taught a way of life that the world had rejected and forgotten. He did not come to save the world of His day. He came to announce a future time when the world would be saved. We follow His example.

Christ’s example, and that of the apostles, shows that Christians do not proselytize. The Restored Church of God also follows this principle. We are not trying to convert or fix this world, but rather continuing Christ’s announcement message. The Restored Church of God explains what is wrong with this world without preaching “at” people or condemning them. We offer hope, showing how mankind’s worst problems and woes will be solved. We bring urgency and vitality to the topics on people’s minds today—explaining the reason for the explosion of problems around the globe. We teach “cause and effect,” not band aides masking the problems.

Many are amazed that the problems and challenges they have in their lives—some seemingly unsolvable—can be solved by following God’s way of life. By putting God first in everything, lives can be straightened out and become fulfilling.

The Restored Church of God offers no political opinions. Again, it does not involve itself with any political movement or agenda. Rather, it teaches love—outgoing concern—for all peoples of the world.

While the Christian’s first priority is always to the government and instruction of God, the Bible teaches the need to properly submit to the governments of men. We strongly adhere to this teaching.
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Post by Enforcer Talen »

. . . Whats your question? :?
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vargo
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Post by vargo »

Definition of proselytize:

1 : to induce someone to convert to one's faith
2 : to recruit someone to join one's party, institution, or cause

Definition of evangelize:

1 : to preach the gospel to
2 : to convert to Christianity
I guess what i'm kinda asking...... is Evangelize still Proselytizing.?

The fundies say no... I think other wise.
"While modern science, history, geology, biology, and physics have failed to convince you otherwise, some idiot rolling around on the floor speaking in "tongues" may be all the evidence you need to "prove" Christianity."
----- #3 on the Top Ten Signs You're a Fundamentalist Christian ( I love this one )
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Post by Superman »

This is another reason why I find it hard to trust these idiots. Fundies love to play the semantics game. They say Christianity is not a religion. They say it takes faith the acknowledge evolution. This is just another one of their word games... And by the way, anyone with half a brain can see right through them. I guess that sort of explains the people they DO manage to convert...
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Post by Enforcer Talen »

I dont see any difference.
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Post by Darth Raptor »

If "evangelize" simply means to make their gospels available to everyone, then there is a possible distinction. There's a difference between advertizing and harrassment. They can build their churches, host their websites and print their literature. What you do with any of that is up to you.
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Post by Ritterin Sophia »

The 'Convert to one's Faith' definition is redundant and is covered by the second definition, however, both those definitions of synonimous with the second definition of evangelicize, thus they're being semantic whores and need to shut the fuck up.
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Post by General Trelane (Retired) »

But 'proselytize' has such a negative connotation, so we'd prefer to use 'evangelize'.
Time makes more converts than reason. -- Thomas Paine, Common Sense, 1776
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Post by wolveraptor »

I fail to see the difference between "announcing God's word" and proselytizing. You obviously don't waste your time telling people what "Jesus sez" with the hope that they'll will ignore you. You're hoping to convert the person. It's proselytizing.
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