Reading the recent threads on the Taliban, as well attending an excellent information session hosted by a couple who just came back last June from serving in that country, prompted a few questions and areas for discussion.

While, out of respect, I don’t want to disclose some of the detailed information I learned this evening regarding the recent situation in Afghanistan … in terms of general issues, I’d be interested in sharing my opinion on evangelizing and hear what others have to say. It’s a complex issue of course, but why not talk about it.

I tend to frown upon the idea of seeing nonbelievers, non-Christians, and others as targets for conversion and prefer to see others as unique individuals who have inherent worth and dignity and respect for exactly where they are in life. However, this does need to be balanced by the personal desire I have to share what Christ has done for me, and how much freedom can be found in a personal relationship with Christ.

Going with this, I find it disturbing, and I even get ticked off, while reading of the proselytizing and actions taken by the foreign aid Christian workers in Afghanistan …. especially because of the INSENSITIVITY of what they did. I don’t think it’s very freeing to barge in and attempt to have someone renounce Islam and convert to Christianity, which can incur serious consequences. On the other hand, it’s not just Christians who have done this sort of proselytizing, as other religions also are known for it.

On a more general note, I get turned off by ‘conquering’ styles of evangelism where the goal is to convert people to Christ quickly, by firing off a couple of Jesus videos or doing a mass preaching session. Because there’s a lack of respect for individuals and a tendency to judge non-Christians. The style that I’ve found that works for my personality and background is to build relationships with non-Christians, serve them, and respect them for exactly who they are in life … if they are interested and curious about Jesus, then I’ll gladly tell them. But if not, that’s OK too.

What I’m driving at is I find the principle of *imposition* of beliefs and values, to be something that doesn’t sit very well with me. It’s insensitive and doesn’t respect other people for who they are, and the intelligence that God gave them.

However, as much as I don’t like it, I’ve found myself doing it from time to time … carying the attitude that this person is living an immoral lifestyle and needs to have the Gospel preached to them. Also, the attitude of shunning intelligent and thought-out challenges to my own Christian faith, thinking that ‘the Bible says it, therefore it’s true, no more questions’. For example, I’ve caught myself making judgments about Muslims when I know next to nothing in terms of background information about these people and what they believe.

Going back full circle, one of the interests I have is learning about other religions, and Islam in particular. I keep saying I’d like to do it, and start making more friends of this faith … but what gets in the way is the proselytizing that I internalized from others, even though I find it doesn’t sit well, that says Christianity is the only way, everyone else is wrong. So it’s hard to get off the ground and slug through some of these internal conflicts. The fear is that I don’t want to offend others, either consciously or unconsciously … Christians have such a bad rap these days for offending people that I don’t want to assosciate with this kind of nonsense. Why can’t people just be real and accept others for who they are?

Anyone else know where I’m coming from and can offer some advice, or maybe I’m just out on left field here. It feels like that a lot with my fellow Christians who have a more bold evangelical bent.

Steve