Posted on 06/18/2010 2:43:23 AM PDT by markomalley
Really? This guy insults a vast majority of Catholics and then goes on to tell us what we should do. and, we're supposed to listen to him?
I guess he really wants to be a politician.
Among Eastern Orthodox there is even less of a zeal for aggressive evangelizing Protestant style. This attitude, which both Churches share for traditional reasons, comes from Judaism — always ready to help someone interested in coming over, but not shoving it down their throat.
Actually, I agree with him.
Don't think about Catholic FReepers (we are the exception), but think about your average butt-in-the-pew on Sunday Catholics. How many sign up for adult formation? How many are involved in Bible studies at the parish? How many are _______ (fill in the blank)_____? As opposed to how many show up in softball uniforms on Sunday morning...if they don't have a conflict with the kids' games.
Maybe your parish is an exceptional one...
Talk to indigenous peoples like the Maya, etc. They were evangelized quite well.
Didn’t catholics evangalize most of the western hemisphere?
What is wrong with sharing the good news of Christ our Savior?
It had to do more with the mentality of colonization than faith. The colonies were considered part of the colonizing country and were made to conform to mother country's societal standards. Every superpower does that even to this day.
But he’s right — the vast majority of us DON’T know our faith well enough. Folks like you are in the minority :)
Perhaps he’s talking about present day Western Catholics. In India and Africa there is a lot of evangelization going on, but in America, S. America, Europe, very little.
Not really. The Spanish WENT to the New World to spread the faith. They were moved by the 7 centuries of Islamic colonization to cross the world and wage wage on the Moose-slime from the rear.
“To take it a step further, many Catholics don’t feel the need to learn or understand their faith, let alone share it with others.”
Really? Why?
“To take it a step further, many Catholics don’t feel the need to learn or understand their faith, let alone share it with others.”
Really? This guy insults a vast majority of Catholics
Techniqually he did say “many” not “vast majority” so I fail to see how that line could or should insult you unless it describes you.
Ah yes. The old "shot" disguised as a "straw man". Very becoming.
Sorry, I did not mean “you” personally, I mean’t “you” in a more plural sense.
I disagree. The Spanish went to colonize the world in order to open trade routes and gain access to spices and find gold. The ambition was political and economic.
Ping!
I must admit that I felt this way for many years. Even though I went to Mass every Sunday, talking about God to others was something for Protestants and “Jesus Freaks”.After reading the first quote, I had to give a bit of an eye-roll. Going to Mass on Sundays only, does not a great evangelist make. After the second quote, I felt the author was stating what *he* thinks the Church teaches. Evangelizing is not necessarily verbal. It can also be via missionary work, good deeds, suffering, etc. FINALLY, at #4 he says, "Prayer and frequent reception of the Sacraments ..." IMO this should be #1 and it should list the Rosary (by name) as a *daily* prayer to be recited, in addition to THE most important way to evangelize -- through the reception of the *daily* Eucharistic Lord at Mass whenever possible. Very frequent Confession (didn't JPII go every day?) should be listed *by name again* and the myriad of sacramentals that can be used should also be listed. Miraculous medals, scapulars, holy water, and so on. I don't think I would want this particular author evangelizing my kids ... he doesn't make the Church/faith sound much different from a Protestant one.
While it is crucial to set a good example, the Church teaches that we must also share our faith verbally. [emphasis;mine]
Avoiding foul language, making the sign of the cross and saying grace before meals, having a positive disposition, and avoiding gossip are all ways that can be used to set a positive example for others.
Prayer and frequent reception of the Sacraments will allow these gifts to grow and will ultimately lead to greater success of our evangelistic efforts.
Oh, so that's how all Western Europe became Catholic and Eastern Europe became Orthodox--the bishops and theologians just sat in their cathedrals and millions of people showed up and asked questions.
It's been a while since I've read the "new testament," so maybe you can refresh my memory. Where did it tell how Paul just sat and waited for all of Anatolia and Greece to come to him?
The Catholic/Orthodox attitude toward proselytization doesn't "come from" Judaism but rather shares with Judaism the fact that they are ethnic religions (similar to the Black Church in America). Catholic and Orthodox chr*stianity keep going via reproduction, not missionary activity. All this is true. But to imply that this is the original apostolic attitude? Shame on you, old friend!
BTW, while Judaism isn't conventionally proselytary, it does proselytize for the Noachide Laws. The current withdrawn non-activist attitude of Orthodox Judaism doesn't come from the religion but from two millennia of living in a situation where all that mattered was survival and where any proselytization would have been met with mass slaughter.
No — if you read what Isabella and Ferdinand wanted to do, the primary reason was going after the Muslimes. Later generations yes went after the gold. The initial aim right from Henry the Navigator of Portugal was anti-Islamic. Vasco de Gama and the other Portuguese attacked Muslime concerns in E Africa, the Arabian peninsula and W. India
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