Luna,
Hello. It is always good to talk with you.
IMSassafras said:
If a Baha'i posts on a Forum under a non-Baha'i section, we considered it proselytizing.
Lunamoth said:
Well, this would be an even more stringent definition of proselytizing than I would suggest, and most of our Baha'i members have done this.
I need to clarify my above statement, but Baha'is do, in fact, have very defined guidelines concerning proselyzing. I do not know of another religion having any such guidelines for proselytizing. I do, though, know adherents are expected to administer their religion's beliefs to those not of their faith.
Clarification:
If a Baha'i [starts] a post on a Forum under a non-Baha'i section with a pure and loving gesture, we consider it teaching.
If a Baha'i [starts] a post on a Forum under a non-Baha'i section with a definitive or harsh tone to their post, it may be considered proselytizing or teaching depending on the intentions and motives of the individual. How the post was received by readers will, and should, also, be taken in account.
I hope this better clarifies my above statement. My apologies for not accurately conveying my thoughts the first time.
Lunamoth said:
It is hard to judge intent in posts, it is even hard often when talking with someone face to face. I usually go by statements that seem to say, in effect, "I am right, or my religion is right, and you (or your religion) are wrong, incomplete, missing out, corrupted, clouded etc. in your beliefs." Those types of statements, in combination with where posted and in what context, can suggest proselytizing to me. However, if someone misrepresents or misunderstands your religion then it would be only right set the record straight, and there are many examples of this at CR.
Conversing on a Forum is more difficult than in person. In person, we have our emotions, attitudes, vocal tones, and our reactions in order to convey to each other how we like or dislike what we are hearing. On a Forum, we have to fill in the blanks. There are many times, in person, I will not get into an indepth conversation about a topic if I am under the impression that person is going to argue with me or try to push their views onto me. On a Forum, I don't know how a person is going to react to something until I post, reply, confront, question, answer, or just have a conversation. Misunderstandings are bound to happen. There is also the possibility that a chain reaction of misunderstandings can occur leading to hurt feelings and a misconstrued judgement of an individual or group of people.
IMSassafras said:
If a Christian hands out a pamphlet, it is considered teaching.
If a Christian walks down a street or sidewalk ranting and raving, it is considered evangelizing.
Lunamoth said:
I would say that neither of these is evangelizing. Both are ineffective and the second is downright rude and anti-social. Evangelizing is not a dirty or negative word, although I do understand the connotations it has taken on with the conservative Christian movement. Evangelizing means sharing the good news that God loves us and it is best done by deeds, not words. I'm sure this is something we both can agree on.
"Evangelizing" is an aggressive approach to converting adherents of another religion. It is rude. It is close-minded. It is outdated. It is spooky. It is cultish. It doesn't "share" anything. It simply evokes a stringent view upon the listener.
"________ is sharing the good news that God loves us and it is best done by deeds, not words."
Fill in the blank with another word. Maybe, then, we can agree. I think Baha'i would suggest the word, "
Teaching". I would.
IMSassafras said:
If a Baha'i hands out a pamphlet and the receiver does not know it is about the Baha'i Faith, we would considered it proselytizing.
Lunamoth said:
What's the question?
With Loving Kindness,
Sassafras
