CHRISTIANS: What would you say to Nonbelievers who encouraged you to practice only "RESPECTFUL EVANGELISM"?

Question

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For now, I'll define the practice of "Respectful Evangelism" as the following:

1. Requesting permission to talk about your faith.
2. Accepting a refusal with grace and understanding.
3. Stopping when someone indicates in any way that they've heard enough.
4. Openness to hearing others' experience, even if it contradicts your story.
5. Never displaying dissatisfaction with the other person's response.

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JULIA: I'm only trying to encourage a format that maintains decorum and gives those who don't want to hear a sermon an avenue to get our needs respected. I don't think we can pretend to change the basic premises of a religion, but perhaps we can encourage its practitioners to behave in more respectful ways.

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OHNO: I grew up the son of a Methodist minister in east Tennessee and I have encountered more than one fanatic. I have lived among fanatics. I have shared meals with fanatics. I have shared bunk rooms, dormitories, & showers with fanatics. I have driven hundreds of miles with fanatics in my car (or I in theirs). Believe me: these courtesies are anything but common.

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CHRIS: Thank you for offering Ohno an example of the fanaticism I was speaking of. Are you from Tennessee as well?

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Answer 1

Many Christians I know would answer this by snippily informing you that, "I have a right to express my opinion!"

Well, they DO. And that's not what you're talking about. You're talking about the WAY they express their opinion.

Unfortunately, most fanatics think "freedom of speech" includes "freedom to be totally obnoxious, and nobody is allowed to criticize my behavior."

Answer 2

Actually, respectful evangelism also goes under the title "earning the right to be heard." And #4 should actually be #1: first we listen and learn where the other person is coming from, then we reciprocate.

As for people objecting to requesting permission to talk about their faith, I see their point when it's in day-to-day conversation and not a "witnessing event."

Answer 3

First, I'd like to play ombudsman and correct something in your question. The idea of political freedom is not inherited from Christianity. It is inherited from the enlightenment thinkers such as Rousseau, who devised the social contract. A government can only govern by consent of the governed. So we give up some liberties in exchange for protections and services rendered by the government. It's a balance that we have to re-establish generation after generation. As far as how the Christian religion is imposed, I agree with the idea of teaching creationism in school. That is a very good example of how the Christian religion is imposed. One can argue that it's not Christianity, but all one has to do is ask about the nature of the creator of the universe, and he sees quickly exactly who creationism advocates have in mind. For the rest, the imposition is through legislation that is based on Christian ethics: the ban on gay marriage, the resistance and limitations of stem cell research, the continuing fights over abortion. These are more indirect ways that Christianity tries to foist itself on the population at large. You have to remember that we are not a Christian nation. We are a nation with Christians in it, as well as Jews, and Muslims, and atheists and agnostics, and Buddhists and Pagans. We don't all agree with the Christian ethic. To put legal strictures on us based on Christian beliefs is to deny non-Christians the freedoms that Christians take for granted.

Answer 4

If someone asks me about my faith, I will answer them. I'm interested in other religions, so if the topic comes up I like to hear about what others believe. But there are some people I've encountered who wear their belief (or non-belief) like a chip on their shoulder, almost asking for an argument about it. What they don't realize is that unless someone wants to talk about religion because it's an interesting topic, I really don't care what they believe and have no interest in trying to convert people.

Answer 5

You're asking people to be courteous. These are common courtesies that anyone should adhere to, regardless of the conversation subjects.
Perhaps you have encountered a fanatic. And they come in all shapes, sizes and religions, not just Christians.

Answer 6

I would think as a christian I already do the above. #5 would be a bit of a problem as I think it's human nature to display some dissatisfaction at views opposite of your own. Overall I think your 'rules of respectful evangelism' are fair and reasonable and may even provide a better forum for evangelism. Thanks for posting.

Answer 7

Thats like enforcing everyone in the planet to be respectful.

And that would be quite a miracle.

Can I tell you a little secret? Christians are just as much sinners as any other group of people in God's eyes. The only difference being that we acknowledge our need for a Savior.

So I guess... you can look forward to a healthy mix of respectful and disrespectful evangelism.

God Bless You.

Answer 8

The underlying problem hasn't been solved there.

That being, that Christians somehow feel that everyone else's religion/beliefs/lack of beliefs, are wrong and must be changed.

Whether they attempt to do that "respectfully" or not, the entire premise is already disrepectful to everyone else.

Answer 9

I'll encourage that! Not only that, but I'll encourage that for everyone, Christian or otherwise. Respect will be the key to human survival.

Answer 10

I'll put my own spin on respectful evangelism:

How about not expecting others to follow your standards when they don't believe the same things you believe?

How about practicing the principles of your religion before you try to enforce them on others?

My thoughts. Peace to you.