Proselytism

So I understand proselytism to be external coercion, and I think...

I wish the Holy See would define it this way.

Proselytism is seeking to get people to convert by unholy means.

And I think two examples of that that I've seen in my own life, you see this with Protestant missionaries.

Okay, I'm going to get a little controversial here.

And so we get there, but just the quoting scripture to me, knowing what I want to hear.

So by the end, I wasn't sure, what's that word? Proselytize? What's that word?

Proselytize?

I'm pretty sure I got proselytized.

I can't even say it.

I mean, they were like-

Proselytize, yes

... preaching-

Yes, yeah

Evangelism is an open invitation, um, to a personal relationship with Jesus.

Proselytism is a coercive effort to convert someone.

We need to search our hearts as individuals and churches as we serve refugees and ask some tough questions.

Are refugees feeling pressured or compelled to convert to Christianity? Are people, refugees, feeling like our service, acceptance, and compassion for them are conditional on them becoming Christians? That's a good question to ask as we seek to serve these people, and I've, I've seen this sort of proselytism being hugely damaging to our witness as Christians, and I think it's something we need to be wary of.