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.
