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The 'problem' of proselytism
Q: Is there a problem with proselytism overseas by U.S. religious groups? Isn't sharing one's faith part of religious freedom? When does it cross the line into manipulation and coercion?
Wrestling with this issue first means wrestling with our terms of reference. "Proselytism" is officially recognized by the international covenants as part and parcel of one's freedom of conscience or belief--it is the freedom to share the essence of one's identity. Today, however, "proselytism" and "sharing" have quite different connotations.
Proselytism now connotes an asymmetrical power relationship, a quid pro quo where the one with more power exerts an undignified influence over the one with less. You can have this bowl of soup, this amount of money, etc., but only if you make this profession of faith. It is the worst of religion, threatening to create a sacred public square that coerces uniform belief.
Sharing, on the other hand, suggests a relationship of mutual respect; a relationship where individuals are honored that people would care so much that they would share their faith with them...even if they end up disagreeing agreeably about irreconcilable convictions (theological and political). It is the best of faith, encouraging a civil public square that invites all beliefs to the conversation.
As a Christian who travels worldwide working for religious freedom, I believe that I honor God and His gift of freedom of conscience by working for a global and civil public square where people can reject God. Furthermore, as someone who happily answers to the etymological roots of the label "evangelical"--the Good News--I am painfully aware of the negative stereotypes of Christian proselytizing.
As someone who tries to daily follow a Middle Eastern Jewish Teacher who made an inclusive invitation based on an exclusive claim, I believe that Christians can sometimes get confused about what it means to follow Christ. His teachings can be boiled down to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. Their order is not coincidental.
The Great Commandment is to love God and love your neighbor. I can't love God unless I love my neighbor. In fact, I become more of what God intended for me the more my identity is rooted in my neighbor--someone also created by God in His own image. The crux of the issue is how to love. Love is an action verb necessarily anchored in the language and logic of the neighbor...otherwise it is not love. While Jesus' message never changed (know me), his methodology changed with each person in order to love them where they were "at." For example, Jesus appoints His disciples foremost to "be with Him" (Mark 3:14), to be in relationship with Him such that they could truly understand His Kingdom teachings about neighbor (something he constantly and clearly illustrated through the example of the Samaritans--the most despised minority of the day.)
Jesus issues the Great Commission by first reminding His followers that all things are under His authority--He is sovereign--before asking them to make "disciples" of all the nations. If He is truly sovereign, then it is imperative for we Christians to understand that He doesn't need us to introduce His unconditional love (but that He longs for His disciples to come alongside what He is already doing). Also, it's important to note that Jesus didn't say "go make converts" of all the nations.
Some Christians, usually with the best of intentions, are mesmerized by making and counting converts. Jesus reserves His harshest words for those who travel the world singularly focused on converts, calling them "sons of hell" (Matthew 23:15). I think Jesus was against such proselytism because it had become about them, not Him. They were worshipping at their own altar of quantification as they proselytized a religion instead of sharing a faith. Jesus rebukes them, reminding them of the "weightier provisions of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness" (Matthew 23:23).
Bottom line for the Christian: Don't go if you can't love.
Bottom line for the non-Christian: Please respect and engage Christians who respectfully share their faith--it is who we are--and challenge those who proselytize.
Finally, if you'd like to read more on this issue, my organization hosted two 2005 conferences on this topic. The best papers were published in our journal--The Review of Faith & International Affairs (Routledge Press)--and include such thoughtful experts as Scott Appleby, Lamin Sanneh, and John Witte (among others). You can read their articles here.
By
Chris Seiple
|
March 3, 2010; 8:30 AM ET
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Posted by: YEAL9 | March 9, 2010 3:46 PM
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test
Posted by: YEAL9 | March 9, 2010 3:42 PM
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I enjoyed this article and thoroughly agree. It is unfortunate, that in the past, and now still today, some Christians have tried to force their beliefs on others or have not responded in love. Those past problems have really produced a stumbling block to many people's view of Christianity. I would urge anyone who has been mistreated by someone who claimed to be a Christian to inquire into Christianity and the Bible to find out the true message. Also, please know that there are many Christians and Christian organizations out there that make a difference, both here in the US (such as in our inner cities) and abroad. They may run an orphanage, offer shelter to the homeless, care for the sick, help the poor etc. I would say the majority of these organizations (hopefully all of them) offer their services without forcing any "conversions". Christians want to simply love those around them. That is the beauty of Christianity...you don't need to count the converts. That is not the point. You just need to love those around you. And if that leads to curiosity about the faith, then God's perfect love can be described. The Bible is very clear on the importance of love -- both with God and our neighbors.
I really enjoyed the point in this article on how we love God by loving those around us. Forcing your beliefs on someone is not loving them. However, sharing your identity as a child of God, is not harming anyone. If you have a powerful belief, you want to share it just as anyone posting on here would like to share their opinions/beliefs.
Ultimately, it is comforting to know, that despite the failings of humans, God's love is perfect. We were loved even before we knew God, we simply need to accept God.
Posted by: cassie123 | March 9, 2010 1:49 PM
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I believe that the big problem with proselytism is that it starts with the presumption that YOUR faith is the "true" faith and that the "target's" faith is wrong. No big surprise there. It is human nature to assume that our own beliefs are correct (or at least close). If you don't believe that then they are not beliefs. What most of us do not have though is an understanding that others feel the same way about their own faiths. And there is no empirical proof either way who is right or closeset to the truth (if there is a "truth").
Regardless, where the act of proselytism goes wrong, particularly when we talk about christian sects, is the act of proactively seeking out people to save. Trouble is, it's really not your right to presume to convince someone that their belief system is wrong absent a question from them or a request that you explain your faith or belief system. Once they've asked then go for it... preach away, but until then your efforts should be restricted to "witnessing by action and deed" not by "word."
Posted by: wildfyre99 | March 9, 2010 12:55 PM
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Thank you for the article.
Posted by: ralagesan | March 9, 2010 11:38 AM
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Excellent article with original ideas and views. Kudos to Chris.
Question 1: What is the real problem with proselytism overseas by U.S. religious groups?
Answer 1: The root cause of problem with proselytism overseas by some U.S. religious groups is their genuine belief that target's religion is path to eternal damnation. It is extremely difficult to respect path to hell. Hence, Many proselytisers start walking on tensed and slippery slope of "disrespectful tolerance". Some in their righteous zeal to save slip into unethical verbal violence, immoral manipulation and illegal coercion.
Question 2: Isn't sharing one's faith part of religious freedom?
Answer 2: Yes. Both sharing and practising one's faith is part of religious freedom. Sharing should not inhibit practising and vice versa.
Question 3: When does it cross the line into manipulation and coercion?
Answer 3: When a proselytiser slips from "disrespectful tolerance" to "illegal coercion". Thus, Inhibiting target's right to practise his or her current faith.
Visit: www.uscirf.blogspot.com for details.
Posted by: reformuscirf | March 7, 2010 1:53 PM
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PROSELYTIZATION is a manifestation of the SUPREMACIST foundation of Christianity & Islam.
No one else has this serious flaw that Christians and Muslims have in their "religions" or spiritual systems. Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs, Zoroastrians, Jews, Wiccans, Animists, etc.. are all trying to make themselves better, not trying to undermine others.
Conversion has caused some of the biggest problems in third world countries.
The "charity" and "kind deeds" are insincere and deceptive actions, and therefore, are acts of evil.
Muslims & Christians don't seem to get the basics of goodness and spirituality. Pretending to be good while having and ulterior motive fools no one and is an act of evil. This can lead to crusades and suicide terrorism.
REMEMBER: Almost all religious conflicts in the world involve Muslims or Christians on one side or both.
Sneakiness, deception, conversion, undermining other cultures, etc... is offensive and nonspiritual.
You really feel the urge to do charity? Go to the inner city in America and help those in need. Look in your own family and help those who are depressed or drunk or angry.
Stop going to 3rd world countries and causing problems & hurting others.
Posted by: clearthinking1 | March 5, 2010 4:42 AM
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From: IRS Form 990 for 2008,
Chris Seiple's salary in 2008 was $162,261. Approximately 30% of this group funding is from government grants.
One of the largest expenditures for this group is the money paid to an independent contractor in China, Beijing Pu Shi Zhi Quan Cultural Co Mei Lin Hua Yaun, Beijing, China for cultural consultancy. Strange that government grant money is being used in China for cultural consultancy???