Does proselyzing hurt or harm people?

[darkendless]

Not to mention rude, arrogant, condescending, irritating, insensitive, adharmic, plain silly, and hypocritical. it's hypocritical because when turned in the other direction, for some reason, its NOT okay.

:yes:

Pretty much. There is a lot of hypocrisy in Christianity.

 

[The Sum of Awe]

Of course:

Harold Camping
The Dark Ages
Slaughter of the Infidels
Holocaust (if you believe Hitler did it for religious reasons)
And others.

 

[uu_sage]

There's a difference between proselytizing and evangelism. Evangelism is bearing witness to one's faith through word and action while respecting the person's choice in faith tradition or no faith whatsoever. However, proselytizing is bearing witness to your faith and imposing it on them with no respect for the person or their tradition. Proselytizing is rude and disrespectful and I do not like it one bit.

 

[Vinayaka]

There's a difference between proselytizing and evangelism. Evangelism is bearing witness to one's faith through word and action while respecting the person's choice in faith tradition or no faith whatsoever. However, proselytizing is bearing witness to your faith and imposing it on them with no respect for the person or their tradition. Proselytizing is rude and disrespectful and I do not like it one bit.

I think it depends on who's doing the defining, the intent, and how the receiver of information reacts. Wiki here .. Evangelism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia .. does make a distinction. Yet it remains a bit foggy to me. What I've seen happen is a playing around with words. "We're not proselytizing, we're just sharing, or we're just evangelizing. I think whenever religious fervor goes where its not wanted, its wrong. That's why RF has DIR places. So the difference is subtle. Take for example, church signs. I have no problem with ones that praise that faith, but when they are turned around to ridicule another faith, I find that offensive.

 

[Vinayaka]

Another link to a ban on it ... many reasons but gist is 'disruption to society ..
Cambodia bans Christian proselytizing

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

There's a difference between proselytizing and evangelism. Evangelism is bearing witness to one's faith through word and action while respecting the person's choice in faith tradition or no faith whatsoever. However, proselytizing is bearing witness to your faith and imposing it on them with no respect for the person or their tradition. Proselytizing is rude and disrespectful and I do not like it one bit.

In the Christian context, the two terms are synonyms, actually:

- Evangelism is attempted conversion to Christianity.

- Proselytizing is attempted conversion in general.

That's it. Neither one necessarily has the positive or negative attributes you implied.

Either one can be the "soft" or "hard" approach. If there is an attempt to convert a person, whether it's by "bearing witness to one's faith through word and action while respecting the person's choice", or whether it's done in an imposing way, it's proselytizing. If it's Christian proselytizing, then it's evangelism.

 

[ChristineES]

:yes:

Pretty much. There is a lot of hypocrisy in Christianity.

There is a lot of hypocrisy in humanity.

 

[waitasec]

There is a lot of hypocrisy in humanity.

is that a disclaimer? christianity is supposed to be set a part...
otherwise what's the point?

 

[darkendless]

There is a lot of hypocrisy in humanity.

Yes but Christianity stereotypically is exceptionally good at it.

 

[ChristineES]

is that a disclaimer? christianity is supposed to be set a part...
otherwise what's the point?

I am getting tired of my faith being singled out as if only Christians can be hypocrites. No one really likes stereotypes. :angel2:

 

[waitasec]

I am getting tired of my faith being singled out as if only Christians can be hypocrites. No one really likes stereotypes. :angel2:

well, you responded to a post that stereotyped christians by saying christians are no better than anyone else, i then asked what's the point then if your religion doesn't set you a part from everyone else...in other words, it's not a good argument...and btw, i would include any religion that claims to set people in a higher standard...

you maybe in the minority of those very few who upholds to a higher standard, but that can also be said about unbelievers too...

 

[Vinayaka]

I am getting tired of my faith being singled out as if only Christians can be hypocrites. No one really likes stereotypes. :angel2:

Which religions are known for proseltysing? Have it as something built right into the faith itself? Which ones have a higher percentage of people who do? (Christianity and Islam) Some sects or individuals within other faiths do, but not at the same rate.

Of course you are correct that there are hypocrites in all faiths, political agendas, and more. Hypocrisy abounds. Its also correct that wonderful people exist in all faiths. Please forgive me if I'm wrong, but I think you personally feel offended by being included in the hypocritical lot without any real knowledge about you personally.

I'm downright embarrassed some days by what some members of my religion say. I just feel like yelling, "You don't speak for me." In fact I have felt compelled to say something to someone offended. I've also had a nice Christian friend come up and tell me, "Please don;t judge my faith by what that idiot (another Christian ... different mindset) had to say.

 

[ChristineES]

Which religions are known for proseltysing? Have it as something built right into the faith itself? Which ones have a higher percentage of people who do? (Christianity and Islam) Some sects or individuals within other faiths do, but not at the same rate.

Of course you are correct that there are hypocrites in all faiths, political agendas, and more. Hypocrisy abounds. Its also correct that wonderful people exist in all faiths. Please forgive me if I'm wrong, but I think you personally feel offended by being included in the hypocritical lot without any real knowledge about you personally.

I'm downright embarrassed some days by what some members of my religion say. I just feel like yelling, "You don't speak for me." In fact I have felt compelled to say something to someone offended. I've also had a nice Christian friend come up and tell me, "Please don;t judge my faith by what that idiot (another Christian ... different mindset) had to say.

But I don't proselytize. I never have. Why should I be sorry or be blamed for something that I never did as an individual.
With that mindset, all bodybuilders should apologize because Arnold cheated on his wife and had love children. It makes no sense to me.
I don't think I am a hypocrite, either.

As Whoopi Goldberg asked in her new book- how would you feel if it was done to you?

 

[waitasec]

But I don't proselytize. I never have. Why should I be sorry or be blamed for something that I never did as an individual.
With that mindset, all bodybuilders should apologize because Arnold cheated on his wife and had love children. It makes no sense to me.
I don't think I am a hypocrite, either.

As Whoopi Goldberg asked in her new book- how would you feel if it was done to you?

but who is blaming you?
we are talking about those who do...

why defend those who's actions have nothing to do with you?

 

[Vinayaka]

But I don't proselytize. I never have. Why should I be sorry or be blamed for something that I never did as an individual.

Yes, I understand that. (I think) There are those of course who do proseltyse but claim they don't. They just mess around with words. Like the bully who says: "WE were just foolin' around." while the victim is bawling. Same thing with being a man, or subject to any other stereotype.

But in your case, I feel you legitimately don't. Course i don't know you personally. I can also say I don't proseletyse. That would be very hypocritical indeed.

 

[ChristineES]

Yes, I understand that. (I think) There are those of course who do proselytize but claim they don't. They just mess around with words. Like the bully who says: "WE were just foolin' around." while the victim is bawling. Same thing with being a man, or subject to any other stereotype.

But in your case, I feel you legitimately don't. Course i don't know you personally. I can also say I don't proselytize. That would be very hypocritical indeed.

I live by the golden rule (At least I try to). I lived by the golden rule even before I had any faith. It is treating people the way you'd like to be treated. Such a good rule, that many religions have used it and many cultures have used since time was recorded. So since I don't want anyone preaching to me or proselytizing to me, I refrain from doing it to others.


The only problem that comes up with is if someone who follows the golden rule is a person who want to be abused or harassed.

 

[Vinayaka]

It is treating people the way you'd like to be treated.

The golden Rule is one philosophical step from the doctrine of karma: You ARE treated as you treat. You reap what you sow. And so forth.

So that rule shows an excellent actual understanding of the way the doctrine of karma should be applied in day to day living. Unfortunately some so called believers in karma just see it as some vague philosophical concept and don't really get its application in the present.

 

[darkendless]

I am getting tired of my faith being singled out as if only Christians can be hypocrites. No one really likes stereotypes. :angel2:

Perhaps if other faiths were so vocal in their hypocrisy in the western part of the world i'd have someone else to single out

 

[ninerbuff]

I believe that there are many ways that proseltysing hurts. When the hoped for outcome (conversion) happens, it causes so much disharmony in families. Brothers won't speak to each other , cousins can't enjoy get-togethers. and much much more.

Then there is just the annoyance factor. With the advent of the internet and libraries, every single faith system is available to anyone on the planet.

Historically, although today is somewhat better, it has caused disappearances of entire gentle cultures. Extinction. Loss of knowledge (ancient herbology, to mention one)

I have nothing at all against ethical conversion, where there is no sneakiness or proseltysing tied to things like food and weakness on deathbeds.

Thoughts?

Thinking Camping followers here............

 

[Vinayaka]

News story from India ...

The Hindu : Kerala / Alappuzha News : Conversion: foreigners detained