Proselytism
The
English language word
proselytism is derived ultimately from the
Greek language prefix 'pros' (towards) and the verb 'erchomai' (to come).
Historically in the
New Testament, the word
proselyte denoted a person who had converted to the
Jewish religion. Though the word proselytism was originally tied to Christianity, it is also used to refer to other religions' attempts to
convert people to their beliefs or even any attempt to convert people to another point of view, religious or not. Today, the connotations of the word proselytism are often negative but this article will use the word neutrally to refer to any attempts to convert a person or people to another faith.
Many
Christians consider it their obligation to follow what is often termed the
Great Commission of
Jesus, recorded in the final verses of the
Gospel of
Matthew: "Go to all the nations and make disciples. Baptize them and teach them my commands." The early Christians were noted for their evangelizing work.
Some Christians make a distinction between proselytism (illegitimate) and
evangelism (legitimate). An
Eastern Orthodox writer, Stephen Methodius Hayes has written: "If people talk about the need for evangelism, they meet with the response, 'the Orthodox church does not proselytize' as if evangelizing and proselytism were the same thing."
Most Christian groups have organizations devoted to
missionary work which in whole or in part includes proselytism of people of other faiths (including sometimes other variants of Christianity) or none. Groups noted for their extensive proselytism include
*
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (also known as Mormons)
*
Jehovah's Witnesses*
Southern Baptist Convention*
Jews for JesusSee the article on
missionary for more information.
Some religions such as
Islam share the Christian belief that they should convert people. Others such as
Judaism do not, though they will accept converts (traditionally after discouraging the one who wishes to convert; See
Ger tzedek). Still others do not accept converts at all (membership is inherited), such as the
Druze and
Zoroastrians.
Hinduism (and to a certain degree, other
dharmic religions) are largely
pluralistic, drawing their beliefs from a
Vedic proclamation which states that "Truth is One, though the sages know it as many". As a result of this acceptance of alternate but valid religious practices, the phenomenon of proselytisation is largely absent in these religions.
Legitimate versus illegitimate proselytism
The difference between legitimate proselytism and illegitimate proselytism may not be definable. What one person considers legitimate, another may consider improper or even illegal. Proselytism can include:
*No attempt to convert others unless they specifically ask about one's religion
*Preaching
*Providing physical benefits only to those willing to listen
*Providing physical benefits only to proselytes
*Forcing people to become proselytes
Illustrating the problems that can arise from such subjective viewpoints is this extract from an article by Dr. C. Davis, published in
Cleveland State University's
Journal of Law and Health:
According to the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, Jews for Jesus and Hebrew Christians constitute two of the most dangerous cults, and its members are appropriate candidates for deprogramming. Anti-cult evangelicals ... protest that "aggressiveness and proselytising ... are basic to authentic Christianity," and that Jews for Jesus and Campus Crusade for Christ are not to be labelled as cults. Furthermore, certain Hassidic groups who physically attacked a meeting of the Hebrew Christian "cult" have themselves been labelled a "cult" and equated with the followers of Reverend Moon, by none other than the President of the Central Conference of American Rabbis.[1]
Propriety of proselytism
Views on the propriety of different types of proselytism, differ radically. Some feel that freedom of speech should have no limits and that virtually anyone, anywhere should have the right to talk about anything they see fit. Others see all sorts of proselytism as a nuisance and an intrusion and would like to see them restricted (either completely or to a limited arena). Thus, Prof. Natan Lerner of Tel Aviv University observes that the issue is one of a clash of rightsâ€"the right of a person to express his or her viewsâ€"versus the right of a person not to be exposed to views that he or she does not wish to hear.
Some don't mind preaching but are concerned if the speech is accompanied by physical benefits (e.g., a soup kitchen that provides food, but only under the condition that the recipients listen to an evangelical discourse) or new converts are given physical benefits not available to those who don't convert. Others are concerned if the preaching is aimed at children without the knowledge and consent of the parents.
Legal standpoint
From a legal standpoint (international and United States), there do appear to be certain criteria in distinguishing licit from illicit proselytism:
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights Article 18 states:#Everyone shall have the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This right shall include freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice, and freedom, either individually or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in worship, observance, practice and teaching.#No one shall be subject to coercion which would impair his freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice.#Freedom to manifest one's religion or beliefs may be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary to protect public safety, order, health, or morals or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others. #The States Parties to the present Covenant undertake to have respect for the liberty of parents and, when applicable, legal guardians to ensure the religious and moral education of their children in conformity with their own convictions.
In the United States, the first amendment to the Constitution provides that all humans have:
* the right to have religious beliefs (or not) (
Freedom of Religion);
* the right to form organizations for the purpose of worship, as well as for promoting their cause (
Freedom of Association); and
* the right to speak to others about their convictions, with the purpose of influencing the others. (
Freedom of Speech).
By the same token, these very rights exercise a limiting influence on the freedoms of others. For instance, the right to have one's religious beliefs presumably includes the right not to be coerced into changing these beliefs by threats, discrimination, or similar inducements.
Limits
Limits on proselytism is a combination of what is considered legal (and this varies from country to country) and what is considered moral (and this varies from person to person).
Some countries such as Greece prohibit all proselytism, some such as Morocco prohibit it except for particular religion. Some restrict it in various ways such as prohibiting attempts to convert children or prohibit offering physical benefits to new converts.
Religious groups also draw lines between what they are willing to do or not do to convert people. For instance the
Roman Catholic Church in
Ad Gentes states that "The Church strictly forbids forcing anyone to embrace the Faith, or alluring or enticing people by worrisome wiles." The World Council of Churches in
The Challenge of Proselytism and the Calling to Common Witness (note this document uses proselytism in the negative sense only)
19. Proselytism as described in this document stands in opposition to all ecumenical effort. It includes certain activities which often aim at having people change their church affiliation and which we believe must be avoided, such as the following:
*making unjust or uncharitable references to other churches' beliefs and practices and even ridiculing them;
*comparing two Christian communities by emphasizing the achievements and ideals of one, and the weaknesses and practical problems of the other;
*employing any kind of physical violence, moral compulsion and psychological pressure e.g. the use of certain advertising techniques in mass media that might bring undue pressure on readers/viewers;
*using political, social and economic power as a means of winning new members for one's own church;
*extending explicit or implicit offers of education, health care or material inducements or using financial resources with the intent of making converts;
*manipulative attitudes and practices that exploit people's needs, weaknesses or lack of education especially in situations of distress, and fail to respect their freedom and human dignity.
Since the collapse of the former
Soviet Union and the rise of
democracy in the Eastern Bloc, the
Russian Orthodox Church has enjoyed a revival. However, it takes exception to what it considers illegitimate proselytising by the
Roman Catholic Church (even though the Roman Catholic Church had been setup in Russia before the Soviet Bloc severely limited the contacts of Roman Catholics with the outside world), the
Salvation Army,
Jehovah's Witnesses and other religious movements in what it refers to as its
canonical territory. [
2]
Greece has a long history of conflict, mostly with
Jehovah's Witnesses but also with some
Pentecostals over its laws on proselytism. This situation stems from a law passed in the
1930s by the dictator
Ioannis Metaxas. A Jehovah's Witness,
Minos Kokkinakis, won 3,189,500 drachmas (US $10,600) in damages from the Greek state after being arrested repeatedly for preaching his faith from door to door [
3]. In another case, Larissis vs. Greece, a member of the Pentecostal church also won a case in the
European Court of Human Rights.
*
List of proselytes*
Religious conversion*
Missionary*
Dawah*
* [
4] International Religious Liberty Association: "Proselytism, Change of Religion, and International Human Rights" by Natan Lerner.
* Pope
Benedict XVI asks always for guarantees that Christian faith can be "proposed" and that it can be "freely chosen":
When Civilizations Meet: How Joseph Ratzinger Sees Islam* For a discussion of some of the legal aspects of defining illicit proselytism, see the article
Proselytism, Change of Religion, and International Human Rights, by Natan Lerner, PhD*
Christian Aggression in India*
Missionaries converting Hindus with threats of Naxalite reprisals*
Proselytism and Crypto-Christians in Cyprus
