evangelization as opposed to proselytizing?

chataranga · #1 Jul 9, '12, 2:54 pm

I came across a "sticky" at one of the forums that read basically no proselytizing or your account will be closed. I'm at a loss to understand the difference between evangelization and proselytizing. Is it a matter of degree? Is there a defined line that lets one know this is one and that is the other? Thank you for any light you may shed. Blessings and stay safe.

**1ke** · #2 Jul 9, '12, 4:18 pm

Evangelization is the process/mission/ministry of bringing the Gospel to those who do not know Christ. In the case of what the Catholic Church calls the "new evangelization" it is the ministry of bringing the Gospel to those who have fallen away from the Faith.

Although in a broad sense, proselytizing also means sharing the Good News with those who don't know the Gospel, in the context that it is banned on this forum it means an attempt to convert a Catholic to another Christian denomination, arguing that Catholic doctrines are false, etc.

**1ke** · #3 Jul 9, '12, 4:49 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by andreashofer

What I also learned is that we are not allowed to make up our own teachings of the Catholic Church. Very good, thanks be to God.

Well of course not.

Quote:

Originally Posted by andreashofer

Does she know the teachings of the Catholic Church so well in order to distinguish what is false and what is right without giving me her sources (church documents)?

Of course she does.

Jeffgo · #4 Jul 10, '12, 5:50 pm

I can understand why we have the policy for not letting people come in here and try to convince people to leave the Catholic Church, but at the same time, part of me thinks it would be a good idea to allow people to try to do it if they want. They'd get soundly refuted pretty quickly, and would in all likelihood run into some strong arguments in favor of Catholicism in the process. In short, it would be a good evangelism opportunity on our part, kind of like when door-to-door evangelists ring the bell at the Catholic men's house that I live in...

chataranga · #5 Jul 11, '12, 11:21 am

So it seems to me that evangelization is getting another to believe my faith while proselytizing is another trying to get me to believe their faith? While my question came up because of something I read here on caf, I didn't quite understand (and maybe still don't) the difference between the two in any setting. Seems to me there is no difference at all except in who is trying to convince who (whom?).

novusCatholic · #6 Jul 12, '12, 1:41 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1ke

Evangelization is the process/mission/ministry of bringing the Gospel to those who do not know Christ. In the case of what the Catholic Church calls the "new evangelization" it is the ministry of bringing the Gospel to those who have fallen away from the Faith.

Could the effort to share the teachings of the Catholic Church with non-Catholic Christians also be considered evangelization because you are bringing them the FULL Gospel? This is my view, but I got slammed on it from some who thought that evanelization was only for non-Christians.

**1ke** · #7 Jul 12, '12, 7:03 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by novusCatholic

Could the effort to share the teachings of the Catholic Church with non-Catholic Christians also be considered evangelization because you are bringing them the FULL Gospel? This is my view, but I got slammed on it from some who thought that evanelization was only for non-Christians.

I think the Church's documents on ecumenism are the best guide on that.

**Joe 5859** · #8 Jul 12, '12, 8:30 am

I always think of evangelizing as proposing and proselytizing as imposing.

animalis · #9 Jul 13, '12, 8:11 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe 5859

I always think of evangelizing as proposing and proselytizing as imposing.

This might be a tangent in a number of perceptions, but it fits well with the above quote. A recent homily from Pope Benedict XVI says, "Christianity, in highlighting those values which sustain ethics, does not impose, but rather purposes Christ's invitation to know the truth which sets us free."

And in the same homily, prior to the above quote, he said, "there are those who wrongly interpret this search for the truth, leading them to irrationality and fanaticism; they close themselves up in 'their truth', and try to impose it on others...Anyone who acts irrationally cannot become a disciple of Jesus." (March 28, 2012)

As regards to the right reason, the web page of this site in which to 'sign in' states, we search for truth in charity. It's a weighty demand to me.