Post by KaiAidan on Aug 7, 2004 13:38:39 GMT -5
Proselytizing: Why or Why Not?
In case you're not familiar with the term,
proselytize means to try to
convert other people to your religion. Not only is
this practice acceptable to those
in other religions, it's actively pursued by some.
This article explains why
this is not done by pagans, and includes some of my
own opinions on the
matter.
No matter what most pagans may feel about some other
religions and their
behaviors, it's generally accepted that all
religions are valid paths of
spirituality. To try and change someone's religious
views, implies that one religion is
better than another. There is no limit to the number
of ways to connect with
the Divine. Which path a person chooses is between
them and the Gods.
Now, there is a difference between proselytizing and
sharing information.
Answering questions for someone who is seeking some
spiritual answers is not the
same as trying to convert them. Because Wicca,
witchcraft and other forms of
paganism have gotten so much bad press over the last
few hundred years, there
is a lot of misinformation out there. Trying to
ensure that new pagans have
access to accurate information isn't the same as
trying to convert people to
paganism.
One form of proselytization that I have strong
feelings against is Christian
missionary work. Well-meaning Christians who travel
all around the world, to
teach the natives about God. In their efforts to
bring 'civilization' to these
people, they destroy the native religions and
cultures. I makes me sad to
think how many people lost their own religions,
because another was forced upon
them.
Be happy that you have found a spiritual path that
suits you, and share
information about it when other are interested, but
don't try to tell others that
your path is better than theirs. It's not.
__________________________________
In case you're not familiar with the term,
proselytize means to try to
convert other people to your religion. Not only is
this practice acceptable to those
in other religions, it's actively pursued by some.
This article explains why
this is not done by pagans, and includes some of my
own opinions on the
matter.
No matter what most pagans may feel about some other
religions and their
behaviors, it's generally accepted that all
religions are valid paths of
spirituality. To try and change someone's religious
views, implies that one religion is
better than another. There is no limit to the number
of ways to connect with
the Divine. Which path a person chooses is between
them and the Gods.
Now, there is a difference between proselytizing and
sharing information.
Answering questions for someone who is seeking some
spiritual answers is not the
same as trying to convert them. Because Wicca,
witchcraft and other forms of
paganism have gotten so much bad press over the last
few hundred years, there
is a lot of misinformation out there. Trying to
ensure that new pagans have
access to accurate information isn't the same as
trying to convert people to
paganism.
One form of proselytization that I have strong
feelings against is Christian
missionary work. Well-meaning Christians who travel
all around the world, to
teach the natives about God. In their efforts to
bring 'civilization' to these
people, they destroy the native religions and
cultures. I makes me sad to
think how many people lost their own religions,
because another was forced upon
them.
Be happy that you have found a spiritual path that
suits you, and share
information about it when other are interested, but
don't try to tell others that
your path is better than theirs. It's not.
__________________________________