How does one evangelize a Muslim in online conversations?

**Holly3278** · #1 Jul 14, '12, 12:28 am

Hey everyone. How does one go about evangelizing a Muslim in online conversations? I have been talking with a Muslim who is on these forums to evangelize her and could use some tips.

dzheremi · #2 Jul 14, '12, 1:59 am

Poorly?

But seriously...

- Pray.
- Know the distinctive doctrine of your faith, and know it well.
- Show them the Christianity that they do not know, and learn it for yourself if you do not know it. I like things like this video, because it's great and because Muslims have told me that they like it.
- Be open and responsive to their criticisms and concerns. There are various books out there that can help you. I remember enjoying quite a bit Dr. Nabil Jabbour's "The Crescent Through the Eyes of the Cross", as it is written by a native Middle Eastern Christian (from Syria, lived for a while in Egypt), so it is in no sense projecting Western aspirations onto other people, and helps to give you an appreciation for Muslims as they are.

God be with you. Do not be discouraged if in the end no one is converted by your efforts. That's not for you to ultimately do, anyway, as I am sure you know. We can only toil in the vineyard of the Lord. The Holy Spirit will confirm the truth if/when your friend is receptive to Him.

Terry Washingto · #3 Jul 14, '12, 2:16 am

Carefully! ( the penalty in Islam for apostasy-ie renunciation of the faith-is death)

Terry

Gods_Peace · #4 Jul 14, '12, 7:59 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terry Washingto

Carefully! ( the penalty in Islam for apostasy-ie renunciation of the faith-is death)

Terry

No, it is not.

Catya · #5 Jul 14, '12, 8:46 am

If you're just getting started, a general comparison our your two faiths, at the very first touching on the similarities and clearing up misconceptions each of you might have about the other's religion is a pretty safe first step. It opens the topic & makes both of you comfortable.

After that gentle introduction, the advice from dzheremi is first rate

exoflare · #6 Jul 14, '12, 8:48 am

Punishment for apostasy in Islam really is the death penalty, but it shouldn't be an issue for the person unless they're either living in a Muslim country or haven't moved out of their parents' home yet. Otherwise the worst thing a Muslim would likely have to worry about if they ever apostatized would be the huge chance of their family disowning them.

In any case, they are still very difficult to have any sort of dialogue with. I have some experience in this area myself, albeit in real life rather than online, and my only advice would be not to force the issue on anything lest you only drive them further away. Wait until they ask you about something themselves before you bother explaining it to them. (if you live out your faith in a way they're bound to see, they WILL ask if they're interested at all!)

DebChris · #7 Jul 14, '12, 6:41 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catya

If you're just getting started, a general comparison our your two faiths, at the very first touching on the similarities and clearing up misconceptions each of you might have about the other's religion is a pretty safe first step. It opens the topic & makes both of you comfortable.

After that gentle introduction, the advice from dzheremi is first rate

I leave evangelization to God. In other words, the grace of conversion belongs to God, not me. My job lies in sharing how God has worked in my own life. I would not approach a Muslim any differently than I approach members of any other Faith or religion.
Pope Benedict XVI defined dialogue as communication across differences. In order to be effective, this dialogue must begin with respectful listening. Begin with what is shared in common. One of the worst things to do is to begin by "pushing the Bible." As Fulton Sheen brought out in one of his talks, members of other religions have their own holy books. Learn what he/she believes, and know your own faith well.

AndyF · #8 Jul 16, '12, 6:44 am

The basis for evangelizing muslims is quite simple if we categorize levels of difficulty. It's a religion not wrapped in subtlety and sophistication and not claiming too much in the exercise of spiritual discerning.

The story reads like a successful Karesh story with it's typical hero with good intentions falling prey to charisma and it's temptations. Mohammed seems to have started well in inspiration, but the attractions of fame eventually took hold evidence his appetite preoccupation with worldly attractions.

I would just relate how a prophet who believed in Christ, received all the indicators that Christ was Lord, wrestled with these facts in his life by the continuous implications in his writings that there was definitely something different about Christ, even Divinely connected, but was drawn into the fame vacuum.

From www.devoted.to/truth (bold mine) we have this entry which in itself is a neatly packaged argument buster on it's own merit.....

Islam proclaims Jesus a wonderful prophet, a healer, and one who brought the dead back to life. No such acts or powers are ascribed to Mohammed. So, the Koran itself ascribes greater power to Jesus than Mohammed.

In Oud Emrom 5-45, Jesus is referred to as, "the greatest above all in this world and the world to come."

S-5-46: "And, in their footsteps, we.......

..... etc,etc more at that site.

Demotriton · #9 Jul 16, '12, 7:04 pm

By loving them.......praying for them.

Gordon Sims · #10 Jul 17, '12, 5:16 am

I have a handful of Muslim friends and while I haven't actively tried to evangelize them, I've tried to have conversations with them about faith-related topics which they've brought up. Each time I mention Catholicism or Christianity, they shut me up and quit talking to me for days or weeks on end. The one is pretty hardcore and is constantly posting things on Facebook about how distasteful it is for women to wear less than the full burqa or niqab, links to stories calling for people to be stoned for fairly minor things, etc. I have a feeling that doing anything more than answering his questions (which currently results in him blocking me out for weeks on end) would cause major friction between us.

mangy dog · #11 Jul 17, '12, 5:52 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holly3278

Hey everyone. How does one go about evangelizing a Muslim in online conversations? I have been talking with a Muslim who is on these forums to evangelize her and could use some tips.

Keep what you say as simple and catholic as possible.

There is only one Lord and God of all.........Jesus Christ.

His prophet is St. John the Baptist.

His mother is the Immaculate, Perpetual Virgin, Mother of God.

The Rosary and the Scapular are the weapons we use against evil.

The Bible is the Word of God and together with Divine Revelation and the Magisterium of the church- they contain the fullness of the deposit of truth.

Keep things short and to the point. Don't try to substitute what he or she says about Islam. Instead affirm what you know to be true. Don't aquiesce to a middle ground of compromise...stick to the sound doctrine.