Do religious folks spread their faith more effectively by proselytizing or by being a quiet example?

Question

In my experience it has been the latter.

I'm not attacking anyone or the way they profess their faith, just looking for personal opinions on the subject.

Answer 1

Your experience is correct. I wish more would realize that "preaching the gospel" can be done without words.

Answer 2

A true Christian is to do both, they have Jesus Christ as their example and leader and he said in Matthew 28: 19, 20.."Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, babtizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit. Teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you. And, look! I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things." As leader of the Christian congregation, Jesus watches over the preaching work being done throughout the earth, as he stated:'I am with you." But we also have to show that we are living our lives the way Jesus would have us do, and one scripture that came to my mind when I saw your question was the one specifically for wives, stated at 1 Peter 3:1, 2..."In like manner, you wives, be in subjection to your own husbands, in order that if any are not obedient to the word; they may be won WITHOUT A WORD through the CONDUCT of their wives, because of having been eyewitnesses of your chaste conduct together with deep respect." People do observe if someone is different, does not always go along with what everybody else does and keeps quiet when they need to keep quiet. Ecclesiastes tells us that in chapter 3:7...."a time to keep quiet and a time to speak."

Answer 3

Realistically? Proselytizing is far more effective. The same way aggressive used car salesmen get more sales, and pushy people get more breaks in life.

Note that the largest growing churches and denominations are the ones that go out and seek new members. Those mega-churches aren't just doing charity work and hoping someone will come through the door.

Also, if you compare world religions, you'll see that the Proselytizing faiths (like Islam, Christianity, and Buddhism) are far outnumbering the non-proselytizing faiths (like Judaism, Hinduism, and Sikhism.)

Answer 4

Example is certainly a good way. Whether best depends on where you are.

I'm one of JWs and here in USA that is really good. People are scared of us and told awful things about what we supposedly believe even the claim that we don't believe Jesus is our Lord and Savior (which we do).

But we are not thought of as in USA in many countries. Those that are war torn and in which the other faiths are murdering innocents, we stand out as different and people tend to stand in line for Bible studies there.

The poor people around the world are often more humble and thirsting for the Bible and for those who act in a Christlike, non murderous fashion. The difference is easy to spot there.

Here, people are more engaged in the pursuit of wealth, possession and pleasures. 2 Timothy 3:5, 7, Titus 1:14, 16 So while they may attend church or have a little bit of study of some kind, they are more about money and fun.

Have you ever noticed that they accuse religions they don't like such as JWs of being "un-fun" or boring (which we are not). They offer their religion as "more fun".

Debbie

Answer 5

Quiet is good for 99% of the time, but you have to be ready to clear up major misunderstandings as well. In other words, be quiet AND informed, and don't be afraid to stand for truth.

Answer 6

I'd be more open to the idea by seeing someone living it and being an example of the teachings, rather than someone yapping in my ear and telling me I'm going to a place of that faith's own invention, Hell.

Answer 7

hey i'm a chistian and i try to spread my faith by being an example and by telling people fo my faith. this is a great question. I'm not religious. Christians are just sinners trying to do right. That is a geat question!!!!!!

Answer 8

I've never known anyone (unless they're very weak minded or fear for their life) to convert via someone proselytizing. I have met people who were converted by viewing quiet examples.

Answer 9

I try to be a quiet example. I do not proselytize, EVER.

Answer 10

I recently realized that I think both are a fine opportunity for spiritual growth in the person observing --not just the latter like I had previously thought.

Answer 11

How about by beating people and forcing them to believe in the same ideology?

Or better yet, threatening them that they will burn in hell for all eternity for not believing in jesus

I consider the latter a perfect example of verbal and emotional abuse