Talking with non-Catholic Christians.

ErricFiggy · #1 Jul 25, '12, 1:04 am

I wasn't sure if this belongs in this forum or the Evangelization forum. So if it's the wrong one, i'm sorry

I always approach evangelization with Protestants with the mindset of "If they misrepresent, misunderstand, or attack a Catholic belief, then I'll use my knowledge of Apologetics to defend. That will also be a good opportunity to evangelize to that person as to why I'm Catholic and no other religion."

But lately I've began to wonder; should I actively try and do more? What I mean is, should I not only attempt to evangelize when I'm presented with an opportunity to correct that person, but should I ask them questions about their own beliefs and begin the conversation myself instead of wait until I'm the one that is engaged? I always felt that if I attempted to start the conversation, I'd be seen as attacking their beliefs, and might turn them off from having future discussions withcfor fear of their beliefs being challenged. Although i know that challenging someone else's beliefs isn't always a bad thing....

Should I stick to the strategy I'm currently using, or should I try and do more like what I described?

**po18guy** · #2 Jul 25, '12, 1:26 am

We are called to lead others to the fulness of revealed truth. You might ask them if they ever hunger for more of Christ. Ask them to imagine what it might be like to stand in His presence - of course, you will have more credibility here if you spend time with our Lord at adoration. As well, in His presence, you will gain graces, as well as being able to offer prayer for our separated brothers and sisters directly to Him. Of all Christians on earth, only the Catholic and Orthodox may spend time in our Lord's true Eucharistic presence. It is the best kept secret in all of Christianity.

**Church Militant** · #3 Jul 25, '12, 2:06 am

To me, it's pretty simple. If they make any attempt to evangelize me, that opens the door for my own counter evangelism. I make no apology for that for the simple reason that having discovered the fullness of truth for myself it is only the charitable thing to do to offer that same truth to anyone who shows the least interest, since I believe that every such opportunity is from the Holy Spirit and to fail in that regard would be sin for me.

ErricFiggy · #4 Jul 25, '12, 2:21 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Church Militant

To me, it's pretty simple. If they make any attempt to evangelize me, that opens the door for my own counter evangelism. I make no apology for that for the simple reason that having discovered the fullness of truth for myself it is only the charitable thing to do to offer that same truth to anyone who shows the least interest, since I believe that every such opportunity is from the Holy Spirit and to fail in that regard would be sin for me.

So does that mean that you tend to wait until they attempt to evangelize you before you attempt to speak to them about your own beliefs?

Crescentinus · #5 Jul 25, '12, 4:37 am

St Francis · #6 Jul 25, '12, 4:48 am

If both sets of people always waited til the other brought up religion, then no conversations would ever start, right?

How do they bring it up--maybe you could learn from that. For example, if they drag the topic into the conversation and seem aggressive about it, and that makes you feel uncomfortable about it, then you might want to avoid that way of bringing it up.

But if they do it in a way that you think is helpful, then you could try that.

Small Fish · #7 Jul 25, '12, 6:18 am

I'm definaty not Catholic (yet)

nor am I any other Christian. I'm a Muslim looking into Catholicism. I speak to the parish priest in my area once a week and I am learning a lot and working on adjusting to Christianity and its practices. Undoing ALOT of conditioning if you will. The topic is awesome and I would like very much to ask : Why is it important to be a Catholic and are all of the other Christian people wrong?

Ps. I love going to Adoration, I was very afraid at first but have come to find it peaceful.
Peace and thank you

**po18guy** · #8 Jul 25, '12, 6:46 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Small Fish

I'm definaty not Catholic (yet)

nor am I any other Christian. I'm a Muslim looking into Catholicism. I speak to the parish priest in my area once a week and I am learning a lot and working on adjusting to Christianity and its practices. Undoing ALOT of conditioning if you will. The topic is awesome and I would like very much to ask : Why is it important to be a Catholic and are all of the other Christian people wrong?

Ps. I love going to Adoration, I was very afraid at first but have come to find it peaceful.
Peace and thank you

Truth is the enemy of this world. The Church that is universally attacked represents the truth. Jesus Christ, in the Holy Eucharist, is the Truth. Only the Catholic and Eastern/Oriental Orthodox Churches have the Truth in the Holy Eucharist. Yet, one must choose. Peter and his successors are a mark of the true Church. The Catholic Church is truly universal, being represented in virtually every nation on earth. That is the fulfillment of Christ's great commission in Matthew 28:19. The Orthodox Churches lack only the seat (position) of, and obedience to, the successor of Peter. They lack nothing else. All other Churches lack that, as well as the Truth in the Holy Eucharist. The Catholic Church lacks nothing.

Once you are convicted that Christ is present in the Holy Eucharist (if not already), you will desire to go nowhere else. You will be at home.

MarcoPolo · #9 Jul 25, '12, 6:46 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Small Fish

Why is it important to be a Catholic and are all of the other Christian people wrong?

You don't have to go about saying "you're wrong." But you can tell them their faith is incomplete. The truth matters, right?

One of the reasons I like to have a larger Church that authentically participates in the Eucharist is because the whole world benefits when the many partake. There is spiritual power in the reception of the Eucharist that benefits the whole world.

Aide: The Whole World Benefits from the Eucharist
How the Eucharist Benefits the World

**po18guy** · #10 Jul 25, '12, 6:52 am

The Qur'an teaches that, of all born of woman, only Jesus and Mary were not touched by Satan (fallen human nature). This aligns with Catholic teaching.

Typist · #11 Jul 25, '12, 7:08 am

As a non-Catholic, my advice would be....

Focus on service. Find people who really need help, and serve them. Forget about talking the talk, and focus on walking the walk.

If you walk the walk well enough, people will naturally come to you and ask for your advice. That's the time to talk the talk.

Simple Premise: Nobody takes advice they haven't asked for.

This is my advice to you, which you didn't really ask for, and so will very understandably ignore.

Taestron · #12 Jul 25, '12, 7:21 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErricFiggy

So does that mean that you tend to wait until they attempt to evangelize you before you attempt to speak to them about your own beliefs?

As a protestant, I also have this dilemma. I would say you must be in tune with the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Some people actually enjoy religious discussion. I for one would be thrilled if you tried to evangelize me.

Others I could only talk to if they are the ones who initiate the conversation. I guess the general rule of thumb is if someone has brought up religion in the past then it is generally safe to bring the topic up again.

**Church Militant** · #13 Jul 25, '12, 10:07 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErricFiggy

So does that mean that you tend to wait until they attempt to evangelize you before you attempt to speak to them about your own beliefs?

Who? Moi?

Fat ever lovin' chance of that!

No, I'm always watching for any chance to share the faith. If someone professes to be a believer then I always seek some dialog and see where it goes. I generally carry a supply of good Catholic Tracts, which are usually a parting shot to add info to anything that we might touch upon in discussion. I also carry a few copies of Top Ten Questions Catholics are Asked because these folks often have mistaken issues about the Catholic faith.

Many of them are surprised to encounter a Catholic who knows his Bible as well as I do, but that's something that was inspired by my sainted Grandmother when I was a kid and has been nurtured by long years of exposure to n-C communities and the need to be able to know and defend my faith over the years. (See My Testimony)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fr of Jazz

You raise a very good question. I would argue that there is a third option: search for and/or establish common ground. Then explore the hows and whys of differences from there.

Obviously that common ground should include canons about sound and intellectually honest scholarship, and intellectually honest discussion.

Y'know, I found a good article that touches on this.
Friendship: The Key to the Evangelization of Men

ErricFiggy · #14 Jul 25, '12, 2:19 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by po18guy

We are called to lead others to the fulness of revealed truth. You might ask them if they ever hunger for more of Christ. Ask them to imagine what it might be like to stand in His presence - of course, you will have more credibility here if you spend time with our Lord at adoration. As well, in His presence, you will gain graces, as well as being able to offer prayer for our separated brothers and sisters directly to Him. Of all Christians on earth, only the Catholic and Orthodox may spend time in our Lord's true Eucharistic presence. It is the best kept secret in all of Christianity.

Yes, the Eucharist has always been the number one reason that I give them for being Catholic. Of all the beauty of Catholcism, nothing else compares

Fr of Jazz · #15 Jul 25, '12, 7:15 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErricFiggy

I wasn't sure if this belongs in this forum or the Evangelization forum. So if it's the wrong one, i'm sorry

I always approach evangelization with Protestants with the mindset of "If they misrepresent, misunderstand, or attack a Catholic belief, then I'll use my knowledge of Apologetics to defend. That will also be a good opportunity to evangelize to that person as to why I'm Catholic and no other religion."

But lately I've began to wonder; should I actively try and do more? What I mean is, should I not only attempt to evangelize when I'm presented with an opportunity to correct that person, but should I ask them questions about their own beliefs and begin the conversation myself instead of wait until I'm the one that is engaged? I always felt that if I attempted to start the conversation, I'd be seen as attacking their beliefs, and might turn them off from having future discussions withcfor fear of their beliefs being challenged. Although i know that challenging someone else's beliefs isn't always a bad thing....

Should I stick to the strategy I'm currently using, or should I try and do more like what I described?

You raise a very good question. I would argue that there is a third option: search for and/or establish common ground. Then explore the hows and whys of differences from there.

Obviously that common ground should include canons about sound and intellectually honest scholarship, and intellectually honest discussion.