Video
Twitter
Facebook
RSS Feed
Too many 'i's' in proselytizing
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?
There is a difference between sharing and forcing. Unfortunately, in my limited experience, those who proselytize have merely been trying to force their views and their religion on me. And every time it has happened, I have resented it.
Thomas Farr says that proselytizing is a fundamental part of religious freedom; if I have understood his comments correctly, he believes that proselytizing is "sharing."
But it is not merely sharing. Sharing promotes discussion, not argument. Sharing invites questions, and allows room for an interchange of information without defensiveness. Sharing is giving one something of value to someone who might want or need it, but does not force one to take it, or become antagonistic if the one being offered the gift says "no, thank you."
But when it comes to religion, specifically an interchange of ideas between Christians and Muslims as Farr mentions, sharing is not what is done. Both of these major religions have the audacity to believe that their way is THE way. Both religions stand arrogantly on their truth and dismiss all other ideas as invalid.
That is insulting.
I have been taught that Roman Catholics feel their religion is THE religion, the only religion, the only right religion. Christians think that confessing Jesus is the only way to get to heaven. For Muslims, adhering to the tenets of the Qur'an and living the Muslim life constitute a life of Truth.
These religions in effect limit the capacity of God to embrace all of the people God created, seeing as how religions do teach that God created all people. These religions, through their proselytizing, serve to confuse and coerce people into THEIR way, and suggest that all who do not commit to THEIR way are apostates.
Please.
Would it be a fact that this God, the creator of us all, would have created people of different cultures who would create different religions based on their cultures would ban those people, condemn them to hell or eternal suffering?
Can it really be that God, who is supposed to be loving, would allow such errant ways to go on for such a long time if their ways were all so abominable to Him?
It seems that the way to "share" one's religion is to live it. A life lived that shows love and compassion and inclusion and empathy would be a draw for anyone seeking peace and truth. God is Love; that is what we are all taught. Proselytizing does not transmit a feeling of love; it creates an atmosphere of tension based on religious competition.
In settings where "sharing" has happened amongst religious folks, I have grown. There is much similarity between religions, and what is different is often fascinating. What is different often helps us, or helps me, to see things more clearly.
In the end, I have to say that the thought of proselytization seems antagonistic to and at odds with the notion of God as One God, as the Shema says. There is One God, writes Paul. There are several ways to get to this God, and I would bet that God is all right with all of them. At the end of the day, it is not how we get to God that is most important.
It is, rather, that we, no matter what religion we are, get to him
By
Susan K. Smith
|
March 2, 2010; 8:47 PM ET
Save & Share:
Previous: The fine line between persuasion and manipulation |
Next: The Young Muslim Americans Project
Posted by: GiveMeThat | March 6, 2010 5:04 AM
Report Offensive Comment
Ms. Smith states: "I have been taught that Roman Catholics feel their religion is THE religion, the only religion, the only right religion. Christians think that confessing Jesus is the only way to get to heaven. For Muslims, adhering to the tenets of the Qur'an and living the Muslim life constitute a life of Truth."
Funny...I have been taught that Roman Catholics ARE Christians. I'm glad the all-knowing graduate of the Yale Divinity School was able to set me straight. Nice.
Posted by: 1RLI | March 5, 2010 12:54 PM
Report Offensive Comment
What is Ms. Smith's basis for saying " there are several ways to get to this God"? She is a graduate of divinity school and calls herself a "pastor" yet is either oblivious or chooses to overlook some of the most basic tenets of the Christian faith - all of which are clearly documented in scripture and point to Jesus Christ being the only way. Example: John 14:6, 1 Timothy 2:5, John 3:36 and a slew of others.
Scripture is clear and exclusive. And regardless of how that makes people "feel" the choice is on all of us whether to believe it or not. We will all find out one day who is right. I put my faith in the word of God (the bible), not the musings of an apostate like Ms. Smith.
Posted by: MD14 | March 5, 2010 12:50 PM
Report Offensive Comment
The comments to this entry are closed.
We see in Ms Smith why the United Church of Christ is one of the fastest declining denominations (last year it was the fastest, this year it is number two).
Can Christianity and Islam both be true when they give contradictory narratives? Of course not. Either Christianity is true, Islam is true or both are false. This is simple logic.
For Ms Smith, just follow the "golden rule" and you will "get to God." But what does Jesus say right after the golden rule? (Matthew 7:12-14):
"12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. 13 Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
Why get up on a Sunday morning to listen to Ms Smith's universalistic tripe? If many paths lead to God, than more and more people are choosing not to attend her "church" - make that social club and are choosing the golf cart path.