jenny Posted March 1, 2004 Share Posted March 1, 2004 actually, moi, i was not bashing. look through again. i'm honestly just curious because i don't understand it. i don't like it, sure, but that is because i don't understand it. i thought most catholics do follow the pope, and that is also part of the doctrine, but maybe i misunderstood there as well. i am not bashing. i am curious. this is clearly not just a historical idea; it still exists; and i would like to know more about it. i'm not a christian bashers, and i beleive that you yourself are making a generalization there. Link to post Share on other sites
moimeme Posted March 1, 2004 Share Posted March 1, 2004 I'm thinking Errol that you have a different frame of reference that the Canadians don't relate to unless they've also lived in the Bible belt. It isn't germane to the point, which is that even despite the preponderance of proselytizing Christians in SOME portions of the US of A (and, I daresay, someplace in Canada, though I don't know where), the fact remains that not all denominations, or religions as Errol calls, them urge their adherents to 'spread the word' or force Christianity down the throats of unwilling listeners. Whether or not you have had your own door knocked upon by several thousand proselytizers in your lifetime is not statistical proof that all Christians or even most Christians do that. Link to post Share on other sites
brashgal Posted March 1, 2004 Share Posted March 1, 2004 pros·e·ly·tize ( P ) Pronunciation Key (prs-l-tz) v. pros·e·ly·tized, pros·e·ly·tiz·ing, pros·e·ly·tiz·es v. intr. To induce someone to convert to one's own religious faith. To induce someone to join one's own political party or to espouse one's doctrine. v. tr. To convert (a person) from one belief, doctrine, cause, or faith to another. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I guess the Hare Krishnas I've been approached by really wanted to sell me something - they were after money. So not sure if they proselytize - I would think they must, otherwise there would be a finite number of HKs. The Moonies invaded our college during summer session and audited classes. They would join small study groups and start talking about their movement and try to get us to meet with them and convince us to join their movement. Since I was attending my last class needed for graduation as was my study partner, we weren't too patient with those Moonie fellows - we didn't have time to waste talking about religion. Link to post Share on other sites
moimeme Posted March 1, 2004 Share Posted March 1, 2004 i thought most catholics do follow the pope Not really. Nor are they required to, strictly speaking. We have discussed 'ex cathedra' pronouncements before, specifically Quankanne provided much useful information. But no, we don't all 'follow the pope', particularly on issues like birth control, homosexuality, the dictate against priests marrying, etc. etc. Back when 'the pope' thought women ought not read the readings in church, my mom used to do them at the request of our parish priest. The Pope offers guidance, not hidebound legislation. Catholicism is not run the way fundamentalist denominations are. If it were, I'd have ceased my association long ago. Link to post Share on other sites
Arabess Posted March 1, 2004 Share Posted March 1, 2004 Moonie proselytize HAHA Quank....don't try to say it five times fast after drinking a beer! Most religions want to 'share' their beliefs because it works for them and they want other people to have the opportunity of finding what they have found. Maybe it's an error in judgement.....but it doesn't make them horrible people. My brother is a 'charismatic' preacher, who used to be on tv and radio in Alabama. He's travels all around. This is his mission. Is he a pain in the ass when you've got a hangover at a family reunion??? YOU BET! I come away with brochures stuck in my purse, guilt up to HERE and a new understanding of why I drink. If I can live with him....you guys can surely live with whoever is knocking on YOUR door! At least you can tell them to go away. HAHAHAHAHA! Link to post Share on other sites
brashgal Posted March 1, 2004 Share Posted March 1, 2004 Way harsh Moi - we've established that semantics is your strong suit. I think it might be time for a waltz around the living room, you are unnecessarily agitated. Link to post Share on other sites
quankanne Posted March 1, 2004 Share Posted March 1, 2004 hmmmm ... I wonder if it would be safe to speculate that because times change and people's outlook change, the Catholic Church responds to those changes (in regards to evangelization). we've had mentioned dark periods in Church history where evangelization meant programs like the Crusades and the Inquisition, basically forcing religion on groups of peoples. However, as time passes, and mindsets become more "in tune" with the Spirit's kinder, gentler side, evangelism takes on a kinder role. Like building those crummy houses in Honduras and Ecuador, which shows the faith of followers of Christ being put into action in a positive way, rather than the "accept Christianity or die" gambit of centuries ago. I've noticed that evangelization today focuses on doing the right thing and helping God's other little children first and foremost. Conversion of the party helped is not the "goal" as is conversion of soul for the person offering the help ... Link to post Share on other sites
moimeme Posted March 1, 2004 Share Posted March 1, 2004 Way harsh Moi Again - huh? Frankly, it's bugging me, yes, that all I said 'way back there was 'please don't tar all Christians with the same brush' which has turned into a massive debate for nothing. Generalizations are unfair. I hate unfairness so I dislike generalizations. It would be nice if people would refrain from using them rather than defend them is all. Link to post Share on other sites
jenny Posted March 1, 2004 Share Posted March 1, 2004 But no, we don't all 'follow the pope', particularly on issues like birth control, homosexuality, the dictate against priests marrying, etc. etc. Back when 'the pope' thought women ought not read the readings in church, my mom used to do them at the request of our parish priest. The Pope offers guidance, not hidebound legislation. ok, cool - thank you! that a civil, interesting, and helpful piece of information, and germaine to the conversation. so, while the pope might explicitly condone missionary work, the individual catholic is free to either accept or reject this idea, just as they are on homosexuality, birth control, or abortion. i'm guessing the ones i know, who do admittedly veer towards fundamentalism, do see conversion and missionary work as part of their spiritual mission. is there anyone on forum who does see a need or a justification for missionary work or door to door work? i'm still open to learning about it, but in an objective and neutral way - this is not an invite to convert, but rather a chance to explain to those us annoyed by conversion attempts why it is beneficial or desirable to do so. Link to post Share on other sites
quankanne Posted March 1, 2004 Share Posted March 1, 2004 is there anyone on forum who does see a need or a justification for missionary work or door to door work? by missionary work, do you mean going some place far from your comfort zone and serving the people of God because you feel moved to live out your faith by doing for someone who has less than you? or do you mean, go abroad with catechism book in hand and pound faith into the natives so that you can win over more members of your religious community? I'm not sure the term "justification" works when talking about going out and sharing yourself with others because you feel moved by the Spirit – that would be pidgeon-holing said Spirit, which is much, much grander and broader than our little minds can grasp. However, I can see "justification" going hand in hand with the door to door work, because in my experience, there is a definite goal among those who take on that particular ministry: to "save" people. Sort of like collecting Boxtops for Education or soda tabs to save little kids with cancer ... The whole concept of going door to door to witness bothers me because the playing field isn't a level one. Again, in my experience, I've not seen any fair sharing of faith, just people who are part of some Bible program at church who are encouraged to go knock on doors in hopes of saving us heathens from ourselves because we don't attend a particular church. But I'm just being jaded here; I don't remember having to do stuff like that in my CYO or CCD groups when I was a kid! Link to post Share on other sites
mfrmboy Posted March 2, 2004 Share Posted March 2, 2004 I didnt read all the post but as far as the bible and christianity are concerned - Jesus never spoke on the subject so he must not have felt it was a big deal. Whatever others (matthew,mark,luke,john,paul) had to say about it was a matter of their own opinion. Link to post Share on other sites
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