"Proselytism is solemn nonsense, it makes no sense. We need to get to know each other, listen to each other and improve our knowledge of the world around us....This is important: to get to know people, listen, expand the circle of ideas. The world is crisscrossed by roads that come closer together and move apart but the important thing is they lead towards the good" These are the words of Pope Francis in an interview with an Italian atheist, Eugenio Scalfari as reported in the Catholic Weekly, the Tablet. Shocking words for some.
Proselytisation has negative connotations as it suggests a certain inducement and pressure on people to convert to a religion other than their own. It's seen as an infringement of religious freedom and an indictment on other faiths as it suggests absolute truth in one and not the other. I have often heard it said in interfaith situations that Christianity is guilty of this but not others, with a certain pride in the openness of other faiths compared to Christianity. No doubt many Christians have been guilty of this kind of proselytisation in the past and perhaps some evangelicals might even have that approach today but many others, including the Pope, are committed to religious freedom and respect for other faiths, wanting to focus on dialogue and working for the common good.
This does not do away with a sense of mission, however. All faiths believe they have a universal truth which they want to share with others, even those that don't appear to be missionary. There is an obligation on Baha'is, for example, to teach their religion as a way of bringing peace and justice to the world. In fact Baha'is are encouraged to move to countries or cities where there are no or few Baha'is to help spread knowledge of their faith. This is often the reason that Baha'is are found in interfaith groups in even the remotest of areas.
Buddhism has historically been a missionising religion which spread mainly through monks and missionaries all over India, South Asia and Indo-China. Today Buddhists want to preach the Dhamma and offer talks and courses in public places to spread the teaching of the Buddha. Buddhism is also very successful at adapting its message to the contemporary world. As one Buddhist monk said, when he set out to teach meditation no-one came but when he called it stress management lots of people came.
So while the Pope decries proselytism he sees Christians as having a message and mission for the world. In the interview with Scalfari he tells us what this is "We have to be a leavening of life and love. Our goal is not to proselytise but to listen to needs, desires, and disappointments, despair, hope. We must restore hope to young people, help the old be open to the future, spread love. Vatican II ..........decided to look to the future with a modern spirit and to be open to modern culture. The Council Fathers knew that being open to modern culture meant religious ecumenism and dialogue with non-believers". This surely is a mission that all faiths can participate in.
Proselytisation has negative connotations as it suggests a certain inducement and pressure on people to convert to a religion other than their own. It's seen as an infringement of religious freedom and an indictment on other faiths as it suggests absolute truth in one and not the other. I have often heard it said in interfaith situations that Christianity is guilty of this but not others, with a certain pride in the openness of other faiths compared to Christianity. No doubt many Christians have been guilty of this kind of proselytisation in the past and perhaps some evangelicals might even have that approach today but many others, including the Pope, are committed to religious freedom and respect for other faiths, wanting to focus on dialogue and working for the common good.
This does not do away with a sense of mission, however. All faiths believe they have a universal truth which they want to share with others, even those that don't appear to be missionary. There is an obligation on Baha'is, for example, to teach their religion as a way of bringing peace and justice to the world. In fact Baha'is are encouraged to move to countries or cities where there are no or few Baha'is to help spread knowledge of their faith. This is often the reason that Baha'is are found in interfaith groups in even the remotest of areas.
Buddhism has historically been a missionising religion which spread mainly through monks and missionaries all over India, South Asia and Indo-China. Today Buddhists want to preach the Dhamma and offer talks and courses in public places to spread the teaching of the Buddha. Buddhism is also very successful at adapting its message to the contemporary world. As one Buddhist monk said, when he set out to teach meditation no-one came but when he called it stress management lots of people came.
So while the Pope decries proselytism he sees Christians as having a message and mission for the world. In the interview with Scalfari he tells us what this is "We have to be a leavening of life and love. Our goal is not to proselytise but to listen to needs, desires, and disappointments, despair, hope. We must restore hope to young people, help the old be open to the future, spread love. Vatican II ..........decided to look to the future with a modern spirit and to be open to modern culture. The Council Fathers knew that being open to modern culture meant religious ecumenism and dialogue with non-believers". This surely is a mission that all faiths can participate in.
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