Ethics of Proselytization

[ViaCrucis]

I could have put this in a Christians-only section, but I wanted this open to non-Christians.

Somewhat recently I had an experience at my work; for context I work at a popular retail warehouse store, I don't work for them but I do work in that warehouse, along with vendors of other companies who operate in the same space. A lot of people from different companies all operate within the same space, and naturally we interact with one another on a regular basis. As such I've built up friendly relationships with a lot of people who I interact with regularly.

Over several months I have interacted with a certain individual, it's always casual always friendly, but they work for a different company than I do. However several weeks ago this individual gave me a card, it had a pretty picture of sunflowers on it, and I didn't think much of it, I smiled, thanked them, made a comment about needing more sunshine in my life, that sort of thing. I slipped the card away and didn't really take a look at it until after work. Well, it was a Gospel tract disguised as a card.

Receiving religious material isn't the weirdest thing that's happened to me at my job, but usually it's customers leaving things on a cart, or slipped between food items to be found by a random passerby.

But this particular experience gave me pause and a thought: Has this individual's actions and behavior toward me, their demeaner, their friendliness (etc) been part of an attempt at proselytizing. I mean, I'm a Christian and the card/tract was generically Christian enough that I have no idea what denomination they are part of. I wasn't offended obviously, but it led me to wonder to what degree their interactions with me came from sincere comradery, or whether it is a kind of "missionary" tactic.

I may not have thought this except that, growing up in a particular kind of Christian environment, missionary-friendship and missionary-relationships were considered a valid "tactic" at trying to make converts. So that background does mean that I am aware that this is something that exists. It's not part of my current religious practice, but it was in the background I was raised in.

And I guess here's the point: When I thought about this, I felt a kind of betrayal. As though this person had been insincere in their interactions with me, I felt like a target, or an objective--not a person. And again, I wasn't angry, I wasn't particularly offended, but I felt dehumanized--even if just slightly.

As I was thinking about all of this again this evening, I wanted to open up this topic more broadly. Because I have a feeling many people--especially people outside of my religion--know exactly the feelings I felt, and I thought this could be a good topic of discussion. And ideally, a way for Christians like me to learn more, take feedback, and consider the ethics of religious outreach.

A secondary thought I had in all this: In some ways I feel like I would prefer a total stranger leaving a tract or pamphlet than someone who has been regularly interacting with me. There is a sense in which now I question and doubt the sincerity in friendliness of this person that I didn't before. And that's kind of an awful feeling to have. I'm not angry with them, or offended, but I now doubt their authenticity toward me. And I feel like this experience I had might provide me with a slight amount of insight and empathy with those who experience this more regularly.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[linux.poet]

I tend to think it's generally rude to try to Evangelize someone who is already a Christian. When you're trying to evangelize someone, the first few questions you ask should be to establish whether they are a believer in Christ or not. I've had some awkward encounters with people asking me evangelism questions only for them to find out - whoops! - I'm already a Christian!

Back when I was in college, that was how I found a college ministry to go to and hang out with for awhile - a leader of the ministry came up to me and asked me an evangelism question, and we ended up talking about which church I went to. I did a Bible study with them for awhile. At least that ended well.

When I was doing OfferUp stuff I encountered a strange lady who was giving out Gospel tracts along with her free items. This left me feeling guilty for the free items I took, but I really needed that bag and pair of shoes. I really think people trying to meet practical needs should be a bit more thoughtful, because Christians have those too.

If you have the gift of evangelism, I get it, but try to screen people first, okay? At best it's just awkward if you're already a Christian, and at worst you feel targeted and like someone else is questioning your salvation. Not a good deal.

 

[Larniavc]

And I guess here's the point: When I thought about this, I felt a kind of betrayal. As though this person had been insincere in their interactions with me, I felt like a target, or an objective--not a person. And again, I wasn't angry, I wasn't particularly offended, but I felt dehumanized--even if just slightly.

That was my initial reaction. But then I did a switcheroo in my head and thought about it in a way that I could relate to. I play dungeons and dragons and am always on the look out for new players for games I run. But I don't just ask anyone. I wouldn't even think of it in normal conversation if my interlocutor didn't seem like the right sort. But if they did I might invite them because they might be a good fit.

So chances are this guy who has a 'club' that they are invested in thought that you were the 'right sort'. Chances are they wouldn't invite you if they thought you were going to ruin the vibe of their 'club'.

I'd take it as a complement.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

I could have put this in a Christians-only section, but I wanted this open to non-Christians.

Somewhat recently I had an experience at my work; for context I work at a popular retail warehouse store, I don't work for them but I do work in that warehouse, along with vendors of other companies who operate in the same space. A lot of people from different companies all operate within the same space, and naturally we interact with one another on a regular basis. As such I've built up friendly relationships with a lot of people who I interact with regularly.

Over several months I have interacted with a certain individual, it's always casual always friendly, but they work for a different company than I do. However several weeks ago this individual gave me a card, it had a pretty picture of sunflowers on it, and I didn't think much of it, I smiled, thanked them, made a comment about needing more sunshine in my life, that sort of thing. I slipped the card away and didn't really take a look at it until after work. Well, it was a Gospel tract disguised as a card.

Receiving religious material isn't the weirdest thing that's happened to me at my job, but usually it's customers leaving things on a cart, or slipped between food items to be found by a random passerby.

But this particular experience gave me pause and a thought: Has this individual's actions and behavior toward me, their demeaner, their friendliness (etc) been part of an attempt at proselytizing. I mean, I'm a Christian and the card/tract was generically Christian enough that I have no idea what denomination they are part of. I wasn't offended obviously, but it led me to wonder to what degree their interactions with me came from sincere comradery, or whether it is a kind of "missionary" tactic.

I may not have thought this except that, growing up in a particular kind of Christian environment, missionary-friendship and missionary-relationships were considered a valid "tactic" at trying to make converts. So that background does mean that I am aware that this is something that exists. It's not part of my current religious practice, but it was in the background I was raised in.

And I guess here's the point: When I thought about this, I felt a kind of betrayal. As though this person had been insincere in their interactions with me, I felt like a target, or an objective--not a person. And again, I wasn't angry, I wasn't particularly offended, but I felt dehumanized--even if just slightly.

As I was thinking about all of this again this evening, I wanted to open up this topic more broadly. Because I have a feeling many people--especially people outside of my religion--know exactly the feelings I felt, and I thought this could be a good topic of discussion. And ideally, a way for Christians like me to learn more, take feedback, and consider the ethics of religious outreach.

A secondary thought I had in all this: In some ways I feel like I would prefer a total stranger leaving a tract or pamphlet than someone who has been regularly interacting with me. There is a sense in which now I question and doubt the sincerity in friendliness of this person that I didn't before. And that's kind of an awful feeling to have. I'm not angry with them, or offended, but I now doubt their authenticity toward me. And I feel like this experience I had might provide me with a slight amount of insight and empathy with those who experience this more regularly.

-CryptoLutheran

This is an outcome of living and working side by side with people who think their denomination (or their pseudo-Christian cult like the JW's) is the ONLY WAY, THE REALLY REALLY ONLY WAY.

And so, rather than getting to know you as a person, they assume you're lost and they'll maintain social distance with you, even through the daily smiles and hellos. Through those niceties, you'll remain their potential "project" because you're not a part of their in-group.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

I could have put this in a Christians-only section, but I wanted this open to non-Christians.

Somewhat recently I had an experience at my work; for context I work at a popular retail warehouse store, I don't work for them but I do work in that warehouse, along with vendors of other companies who operate in the same space. A lot of people from different companies all operate within the same space, and naturally we interact with one another on a regular basis. As such I've built up friendly relationships with a lot of people who I interact with regularly.

Over several months I have interacted with a certain individual, it's always casual always friendly, but they work for a different company than I do. However several weeks ago this individual gave me a card, it had a pretty picture of sunflowers on it, and I didn't think much of it, I smiled, thanked them, made a comment about needing more sunshine in my life, that sort of thing. I slipped the card away and didn't really take a look at it until after work. Well, it was a Gospel tract disguised as a card.

Receiving religious material isn't the weirdest thing that's happened to me at my job, but usually it's customers leaving things on a cart, or slipped between food items to be found by a random passerby.

But this particular experience gave me pause and a thought: Has this individual's actions and behavior toward me, their demeaner, their friendliness (etc) been part of an attempt at proselytizing. I mean, I'm a Christian and the card/tract was generically Christian enough that I have no idea what denomination they are part of. I wasn't offended obviously, but it led me to wonder to what degree their interactions with me came from sincere comradery, or whether it is a kind of "missionary" tactic.

I may not have thought this except that, growing up in a particular kind of Christian environment, missionary-friendship and missionary-relationships were considered a valid "tactic" at trying to make converts. So that background does mean that I am aware that this is something that exists. It's not part of my current religious practice, but it was in the background I was raised in.

And I guess here's the point: When I thought about this, I felt a kind of betrayal. As though this person had been insincere in their interactions with me, I felt like a target, or an objective--not a person. And again, I wasn't angry, I wasn't particularly offended, but I felt dehumanized--even if just slightly.

As I was thinking about all of this again this evening, I wanted to open up this topic more broadly. Because I have a feeling many people--especially people outside of my religion--know exactly the feelings I felt, and I thought this could be a good topic of discussion. And ideally, a way for Christians like me to learn more, take feedback, and consider the ethics of religious outreach.

A secondary thought I had in all this: In some ways I feel like I would prefer a total stranger leaving a tract or pamphlet than someone who has been regularly interacting with me. There is a sense in which now I question and doubt the sincerity in friendliness of this person that I didn't before. And that's kind of an awful feeling to have. I'm not angry with them, or offended, but I now doubt their authenticity toward me. And I feel like this experience I had might provide me with a slight amount of insight and empathy with those who experience this more regularly.

-CryptoLutheran

I think I am confused, why did you not think anything of it? Obviously it was a conversation starter and if you had taken the time to look at it you would have realized it was a Christian tract. Now would it not have been nicer to acknowledge a fellow brother in Christ right at that moment rather than feel as you do now? I'm sorry, I really don't understand your reasoning here. I receive tracks, look at them and acknowledge that I am a fellow Christian. How beautiful is that?

Sorry for being so candid.

Blessings

 

[PloverWing]

Thank you for bringing this up.

My K-12 and undergraduate education was in Evangelical Protestant schools. Thus, my time in grad school was my first time in a setting where my fellow students were from a variety of faith backgrounds (Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, and agnostic, along with a few Christians). At that time, I was still in transition from the evangelism-oriented Baptist tradition of my childhood to my current religious tradition, and the evangelism imperative from my former church was still nagging away at me. Shouldn't I be trying to convert all the people around me? That's what the church says...

I found, though, that this attitude had me thinking about all the people around me as targets to be conquered. For every single person, I'm supposed to evaluate whether they're a Christian (and if they're Christian, are they a nominal Christian or a real Christian, because if they're only "nominal", then they're a target too). Then I look for openings, and steer the conversation, and -- this is CF, most of you have probably been through these evangelism classes.

What I found is that this attitude is incompatible with genuine, respectful friendship. It felt deeply wrong. Looking back on my life, I can identify a handful of times when I think that God gave me a firm nudge, saying "don't go that way; go this way instead", and I think this was one of those times. I set aside the whole evangelism-target thing and went for honest friendships instead. No proselytization, just living side by side in a multi-faith world. There's more integrity down this path.

 

[Hazelelponi]

I could have put this in a Christians-only section, but I wanted this open to non-Christians.

Somewhat recently I had an experience at my work; for context I work at a popular retail warehouse store, I don't work for them but I do work in that warehouse, along with vendors of other companies who operate in the same space. A lot of people from different companies all operate within the same space, and naturally we interact with one another on a regular basis. As such I've built up friendly relationships with a lot of people who I interact with regularly.

Over several months I have interacted with a certain individual, it's always casual always friendly, but they work for a different company than I do. However several weeks ago this individual gave me a card, it had a pretty picture of sunflowers on it, and I didn't think much of it, I smiled, thanked them, made a comment about needing more sunshine in my life, that sort of thing. I slipped the card away and didn't really take a look at it until after work. Well, it was a Gospel tract disguised as a card.

Receiving religious material isn't the weirdest thing that's happened to me at my job, but usually it's customers leaving things on a cart, or slipped between food items to be found by a random passerby.

But this particular experience gave me pause and a thought: Has this individual's actions and behavior toward me, their demeaner, their friendliness (etc) been part of an attempt at proselytizing. I mean, I'm a Christian and the card/tract was generically Christian enough that I have no idea what denomination they are part of. I wasn't offended obviously, but it led me to wonder to what degree their interactions with me came from sincere comradery, or whether it is a kind of "missionary" tactic.

I may not have thought this except that, growing up in a particular kind of Christian environment, missionary-friendship and missionary-relationships were considered a valid "tactic" at trying to make converts. So that background does mean that I am aware that this is something that exists. It's not part of my current religious practice, but it was in the background I was raised in.

And I guess here's the point: When I thought about this, I felt a kind of betrayal. As though this person had been insincere in their interactions with me, I felt like a target, or an objective--not a person. And again, I wasn't angry, I wasn't particularly offended, but I felt dehumanized--even if just slightly.

As I was thinking about all of this again this evening, I wanted to open up this topic more broadly. Because I have a feeling many people--especially people outside of my religion--know exactly the feelings I felt, and I thought this could be a good topic of discussion. And ideally, a way for Christians like me to learn more, take feedback, and consider the ethics of religious outreach.

A secondary thought I had in all this: In some ways I feel like I would prefer a total stranger leaving a tract or pamphlet than someone who has been regularly interacting with me. There is a sense in which now I question and doubt the sincerity in friendliness of this person that I didn't before. And that's kind of an awful feeling to have. I'm not angry with them, or offended, but I now doubt their authenticity toward me. And I feel like this experience I had might provide me with a slight amount of insight and empathy with those who experience this more regularly.

-CryptoLutheran

Before I was saved I never questioned the motives of Christians being nice to me, and I have been given many a tract.

I never once wondered whether they were only being nice in order to give me a tract. Many tract givers aren't actually Christian, I think many are Mormons, but some are Christians.

But maybe that's me, I don't suspect people who are nice to me, most people I meet are quite friendly and they come from a variety of backgrounds. Some give tracts about their faith - which never bothered me even if I didn't read them.

A card with a couple passages of Scripture is just being friendly in my view. That always felt like the spirit anyway.

But with me it's just because everyone is friendly, so people of Christian backgrounds giving tracts is just kind of part of who they are, and they always seem was quite nice.

I'd be more shocked if people were rude to me than if they gave me a small tract.

 

[Paulos23]

I have had similar interactions with some Christians. This is tame and better than some attempts to convert me (even when I believed, but I was going to the wrong church).

What the OP has gone through is shallow, but much calmer than other evangelical attempts I have experienced. I would take a card over an hour long conversation about how I am going to hell, my life is empty, etc.

 

[essentialsaltes]

As far as the ethics of it go, I think things like 'flirty fishing' cross the line.

For the OP's case, while I can sorta understand the feeling of betrayal or suspicion, the actual act was pretty low-key and I don't see a great moral issue. If anything, the other person should have a little more guts and ask "Are you believer?" or whatever rather than passing a card/tract. Obviously, they should drop the subject if you express no interest in that conversation.

The only situation I recall that's similar is way back when I was temping at a mindless summer job, and a couple fellow temps were very Jesus-y. We were all temps and not very professional and it was a mindless job and just chatting was what kept us sane. It was more a debate than proselytization and I was certainly an active willing participant.

I think like Penn Jilette, I'm not at all surprised that people who think they have a precious treasure want to share it with others. But I hope they'll clam up about it if I'm not interested.

 

[Robban]

I could have put this in a Christians-only section, but I wanted this open to non-Christians.

Somewhat recently I had an experience at my work; for context I work at a popular retail warehouse store, I don't work for them but I do work in that warehouse, along with vendors of other companies who operate in the same space. A lot of people from different companies all operate within the same space, and naturally we interact with one another on a regular basis. As such I've built up friendly relationships with a lot of people who I interact with regularly.

Over several months I have interacted with a certain individual, it's always casual always friendly, but they work for a different company than I do. However several weeks ago this individual gave me a card, it had a pretty picture of sunflowers on it, and I didn't think much of it, I smiled, thanked them, made a comment about needing more sunshine in my life, that sort of thing. I slipped the card away and didn't really take a look at it until after work. Well, it was a Gospel tract disguised as a card.

Receiving religious material isn't the weirdest thing that's happened to me at my job, but usually it's customers leaving things on a cart, or slipped between food items to be found by a random passerby.

But this particular experience gave me pause and a thought: Has this individual's actions and behavior toward me, their demeaner, their friendliness (etc) been part of an attempt at proselytizing. I mean, I'm a Christian and the card/tract was generically Christian enough that I have no idea what denomination they are part of. I wasn't offended obviously, but it led me to wonder to what degree their interactions with me came from sincere comradery, or whether it is a kind of "missionary" tactic.

I may not have thought this except that, growing up in a particular kind of Christian environment, missionary-friendship and missionary-relationships were considered a valid "tactic" at trying to make converts. So that background does mean that I am aware that this is something that exists. It's not part of my current religious practice, but it was in the background I was raised in.

And I guess here's the point: When I thought about this, I felt a kind of betrayal. As though this person had been insincere in their interactions with me, I felt like a target, or an objective--not a person. And again, I wasn't angry, I wasn't particularly offended, but I felt dehumanized--even if just slightly.

As I was thinking about all of this again this evening, I wanted to open up this topic more broadly. Because I have a feeling many people--especially people outside of my religion--know exactly the feelings I felt, and I thought this could be a good topic of discussion. And ideally, a way for Christians like me to learn more, take feedback, and consider the ethics of religious outreach.

A secondary thought I had in all this: In some ways I feel like I would prefer a total stranger leaving a tract or pamphlet than someone who has been regularly interacting with me. There is a sense in which now I question and doubt the sincerity in friendliness of this person that I didn't before. And that's kind of an awful feeling to have. I'm not angry with them, or offended, but I now doubt their authenticity toward me. And I feel like this experience I had might provide me with a slight amount of insight and empathy with those who experience this more regularly.

-CryptoLutheran

Maybe a discreet way of saying, we are on the same page.


Have heard that before times they had a fish synbol.

 

[Richard T]

Matthew 10:16 (ESV)
16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

It is hard to judge the intent of the person's heart. Could be they are more interested in freindship, or it could be they just are trying to get you saved. If it is the opposite sex, it could be they are interested to find out if you are a Christian. That would be wise before asking someone out. Too shy to ask directly, but hopeful.

I was taught friendship evangelism and use that model all the time. I do not set out to do it in a disingenous way. I truly care about any person I attempt to friend and at some point hope to share, invite them to church etc. I will say that I think that everyone should evangelize at times to reach a large number of people. But there are some instance too where the quality of the relationship is important.

To me getting the card or tract is meaningful and caring. Even if that person was simply being nice to share the gospel, where is the harm? Be more worried about those wanting money, sex, adoration or other selfish reasons for initiating a relationship.

 

[zippy2006]

Because I have a feeling many people--especially people outside of my religion--know exactly the feelings I felt, and I thought this could be a good topic of discussion.

What would you have preferred them to do? How do you see the charge to evangelize?

Aversion to proselytism seems to be a secular and rather anti-religious dogma. The reason someone within a secular culture would be averse is because they would be taught by secularism that proselytism involves insincerity and an objectification of persons. But anyone who is a Christian believes in evangelization and arguably proselytism, and there is no reason to believe that evangelization must be insincere or involve objectification. Many would take it as a compliment that someone cares enough about them to broach a subject they deem serious. That someone cares enough about you and the faith to take it all seriously.

(I am presuming that this person does not know that you are a Protestant Christian, and maybe that's part of the difficulty here.)

 

[zippy2006]

I set aside the whole evangelism-target thing and went for honest friendships instead. No proselytization, just living side by side in a multi-faith world. There's more integrity down this path.

What's interesting here is that friendships without challenges actually lack integrity, and to avoid all serious topics and disagreements (religious, political, etc.) is actually a sign of a shallow friendship. Nowadays there's easily as much danger of banal, mutually-affirming "friendship"* as forms of objectification.

* Friendships of pleasure but not virtue, according to Aristotle.

 

[zippy2006]

A more substantive look at the issue can be found in the article linked in this thread: "What are the ethics when it comes to evangelizing?"

 

[NBB]

Being disgusted because a person tried to get someone saved, is disappointing to say the least.

 

[fhansen]

I could have put this in a Christians-only section, but I wanted this open to non-Christians.

Somewhat recently I had an experience at my work; for context I work at a popular retail warehouse store, I don't work for them but I do work in that warehouse, along with vendors of other companies who operate in the same space. A lot of people from different companies all operate within the same space, and naturally we interact with one another on a regular basis. As such I've built up friendly relationships with a lot of people who I interact with regularly.

Over several months I have interacted with a certain individual, it's always casual always friendly, but they work for a different company than I do. However several weeks ago this individual gave me a card, it had a pretty picture of sunflowers on it, and I didn't think much of it, I smiled, thanked them, made a comment about needing more sunshine in my life, that sort of thing. I slipped the card away and didn't really take a look at it until after work. Well, it was a Gospel tract disguised as a card.

Receiving religious material isn't the weirdest thing that's happened to me at my job, but usually it's customers leaving things on a cart, or slipped between food items to be found by a random passerby.

But this particular experience gave me pause and a thought: Has this individual's actions and behavior toward me, their demeaner, their friendliness (etc) been part of an attempt at proselytizing. I mean, I'm a Christian and the card/tract was generically Christian enough that I have no idea what denomination they are part of. I wasn't offended obviously, but it led me to wonder to what degree their interactions with me came from sincere comradery, or whether it is a kind of "missionary" tactic.

I may not have thought this except that, growing up in a particular kind of Christian environment, missionary-friendship and missionary-relationships were considered a valid "tactic" at trying to make converts. So that background does mean that I am aware that this is something that exists. It's not part of my current religious practice, but it was in the background I was raised in.

And I guess here's the point: When I thought about this, I felt a kind of betrayal. As though this person had been insincere in their interactions with me, I felt like a target, or an objective--not a person. And again, I wasn't angry, I wasn't particularly offended, but I felt dehumanized--even if just slightly.

As I was thinking about all of this again this evening, I wanted to open up this topic more broadly. Because I have a feeling many people--especially people outside of my religion--know exactly the feelings I felt, and I thought this could be a good topic of discussion. And ideally, a way for Christians like me to learn more, take feedback, and consider the ethics of religious outreach.

A secondary thought I had in all this: In some ways I feel like I would prefer a total stranger leaving a tract or pamphlet than someone who has been regularly interacting with me. There is a sense in which now I question and doubt the sincerity in friendliness of this person that I didn't before. And that's kind of an awful feeling to have. I'm not angry with them, or offended, but I now doubt their authenticity toward me. And I feel like this experience I had might provide me with a slight amount of insight and empathy with those who experience this more regularly.

-CryptoLutheran

I think that where love is at the heart of our relationships, whether we’re evangelizing or not, then we’ll be authentic and give no reason for offense. And if love’s not the basis of evangelization, then we’d have nothing to offer anyway.

 

[Paulos23]

Being disgusted because a person tried to get someone saved, is disappointing to say the least.

If it is an unwanted interaction, it is understandable to me. It doesn't matter how well intentioned the interaction is, if it is unwanted or tone-deaf, it will be seen in a negative light.

And some of us are just tired of being evangelized too after so many attempts.

 

[ViaCrucis]

Being disgusted because a person tried to get someone saved, is disappointing to say the least.

In my post, at several points, I highlighted that I wasn't upset, angry, or offended in any way.

But I have seen several posters in this thread nevertheless assume I was, which I consider rather curious.

What in my post indicates that I was disgusted?

-CryptoLutheran

 

[ViaCrucis]

I think I am confused, why did you not think anything of it?

It was a card with a picture of sun with sunflowers, I was on the clock and working. I simply took it as a friendly gesture, thanked her for it, and continued working.

Obviously it was a conversation starter and if you had taken the time to look at it you would have realized it was a Christian tract. Now would it not have been nicer to acknowledge a fellow brother in Christ right at that moment rather than feel as you do now? I'm sorry, I really don't understand your reasoning here. I receive tracks, look at them and acknowledge that I am a fellow Christian. How beautiful is that?

Sorry for being so candid.

Blessings

I was working. I don't have the luxury of being idle when I am working. As such I was unable to take a closer look until I had the free time to do so.

And as for my reasoning, I provided it in my post. As I mentioned in my post I was raised in a religious environment which actively taught evangelistic tactics, on how to establish relationships with people for the express purpose of trying to proselytize. This included things like "missionary dating", where you date someone with the intended purpose of trying to make them a convert. That means I am firmly aware of using interpersonal behavior with insincerity, as a gimmick and a tactic. Building a genuine relationship with another person and conversation--including evangelistic conversation, as part of that relationship isn't something I oppose; because it's organic and emerges out of sincerity. But I do not regard treating other people as statistics, numbers, or quotas to be an organic, genuine, and sincere way of engaging with other people. I also don't think it is especially Christian to regard my fellow human being as a quota to be conquered, rather than a human person to be loved.

The point I am raising is this: It seemed rather sneaky to deliver a hidden tract disguised as a card. I am not saying she had ill-intentions, but I think it perfectly valid to look at behavior and wonder about it. But given my own experiences and background, I feel confident that this probably was a "hand out these cards at work" tactic, the same as when I was in youth group and we were given tracts/cards/etc and try to find ways to hand them out in our school to fellow students. Perhaps I am entirely wrong, perhaps she specifically went and purchased this card, and specifically wanted me to have it built on a genuine friendly working relationship.

Further: I presented my experience here largely to discuss the larger question of ethics in the context of proselytizing. My experience here is merely the catalyst that wanted me to explore a larger ethical subject.

Perhaps my original post wasn't as clear as it could have been. In which case, I apologize.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[ViaCrucis]

Being disgusted because a person tried to get someone saved, is disappointing to say the least.

Perhaps it would be helpful if, when exploring the topic of this thread, you look at it from the perspective of someone from a different religion proselytizing you.

If in my story I shared in the OP the person had been a Muslim and the goal was converting me to Islam, would you have the same response here? Perhaps more importantly: Would you have been offended or disgusted? Again, I wasn't disgusted--nor offended, nor angry, not even upset. Though for the sake of actually having a conversation, how would you feel?

-CryptoLutheran