Do you think evangelism objectifies people?

Question

This made a very real and powerful point to me just now.

http://atheism.about.com/b/a/211847.htm?nl=1

"[F]or many of the people I interviewed, witnessing is an essential part of their Christian faith. In order to understand that faith. I had to be willing persist in listening even when my salvation, beliefs, and life became the uncomfortable object of the conversation. I am using the word object here deliberately because, in many ways, I found witnessing to be an objectifying experience. No matter in what way I articulated or failed to articulate a reasonable position for myself, my lack of belief turned me into an object. In Martin Buber’s language, I often felt at these moments that I turned from a “Thou” in the conversation into an “It.”

If you evangelize, do you try to prevent that, and if so, how?

If you aren't Christian, do you feel objectified by evangelism? Why or why not?

Answer 1

It shouldn't, witnessing is to bring others closer to God.

Love for God and love for neighbor should be the motivating force behind all witnessing.

The problem is the people doing the witnessing are

are not perfect.
have a different level of maturity in their faith
don't the appropriate training.

Then you have the imperfections of the one you are talking to.
Their level of maturity in their faith

I've had the situation, where I've respectfully listen, and in trying to answer their questions, they continue to interrupt.

So it can work both ways.

If Christians didn't speak about God, then the rocks would cry out.

which I've thought might be more effective.

Answer 2

Some people need to have a score card in order to feel like they are being successful. How many converted this week due to my evangelism? Billy Graham himself, however, has shared his frustration with having reached and converted millions wondering how many of these converts actually stayed in the faith.

Jesus simply stated some will be cast away because He didn't KNOW them. Therein is the true goal in evangelism. It's in building RELATIONSHIPS that true evangelism takes place. One sinner introducing another sinner to the Savior is only part of the process. Evangelism isn't just about a message, it's a lifestyle, it's a society, it's a way, it's a dimension.

Once a person is objectified, the evangelist ceases to be in the WAY, and therefore is no longer evangelizing the true Gospel.

Answer 3

The reason "christians" objectify people is because they are not truly or completly christians. They are not doing what Christ preached long time ago:

"But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave then to the innkeeper, and said to him, 'take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you' ". Luke 10:33 -35.

And of course, there are a lot of other scriptures related.

If we christians don't treat people like the samaritan treated the hurted man, we are not truly christians, we are being hypocrites.

Answer 4

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Answer 5

Yes I have been made to feel like an object designed for a means to an end for the one evangelizing. I also have been looked upon as a type of exotic animal. Christians have looked at me like I know they look at animals in a zoo.

This is when I know they are not doing their 'thing' FOR me but for themselves.

Answer 6

Yeah, I think that's a pretty accurate observation. They don't seem to get it that we are people with our own opinions, beliefs, and experiences Either that or it just doesn't matter to them.

Answer 7

hmm thats very interesting. yes i have to agree with it. my friend went hardcore into evangelism and now he treats everyone around him that way. he constantly tells his friends that they are going to hell cause they dont believe (this has pushed most of us away from him, none of us can stand being around him cause all he does is push his belief on us. )

Answer 8

no