Article on Religious Supremacy

[Toy Poodles]

https://religionnews.com/2019/12/19/evangelism-and-religious-supremacy/

 

I thought this article was interesting and wondered what it might lead to if this thinking catches on.

These paragraphs stuck out to me.

 

"In the Western context, the most noticeable form of religious supremacy is that of evangelism. It’s so embedded within our culture that we have normalized it; most of us don’t even think of it as a form of religious supremacy."

 

"But evangelism is nothing more than a religious supremacist wolf in sheep’s clothing. The logic of evangelism requires one person to perceive the other — and that person's faith — as misguided, inferior and in need of saving."

 

"No community is untouched by the disease of religious supremacy that plagues our world. And these outlooks will continue to harm us all until and unless we are able to accept a new model."

[BenJepthah]

It is strange to think about. Most western Evangelicals are notoriously political or at least perceived to be.  For this reason we do not nor does the public generally think of Jehovah’s Witnesses as being Evangelical. But more than anyone we DO fit that description. As the Evangelicals continue to loose their political power while loosening their moral standards to accept corrupt politics, homosexual practices, and various other unwholesome things. We may be the ONLY true ones left.   The word Evangelical is just ALIEN to us. 

Edited December 21, 2019 by BenJepthah

[1MKnight]

I've had a discussion about this before. The person was wondering whether conversion was wrong. Like it's pressuring someone to change their beliefs. 

The point I tried making was that, at it's core, "conversion" is about the sharing of beliefs and ideas. That gives us the question: "Is it wrong or bad to ever share your ideas and thoughts with  the hopes that they accept it as well?" People constantly share their thoughts and opinions about food, music, culture, entertainment, lifestyle, politics, hobbies etc with other people every single day. Sometimes, they even do this publicly, on social media. 

Sharing a religious idea in the same manner is no different. Though, we specifically give it a name - evangelism. 

We all have to tolerate that friend who says his new diet will help you sleep better and live longer, why should the guy who says his religion will help you be any different?

[Sheep]

Are Jehovah's Witnesses trying to convert others? That's a difficult question to answer. If we say No, that wouldn't be completely true. But if we say Yes, that wouldn't be entirely true either. The real answer lies in the middle somewhere.

 

Years ago the subject came up for discussion when a Circuit Overseer told us that we are trying to convert others. If not, then Jesus' command to "make disciples" would be meaningless. So off I went to do some research. I found this article (although old) that gives a very balanced view.

[minister159]

There's a definite difference between proselytizing and evangelizing. In Russia we were accused of aggressive proselytizing, when in fact, all we were guilty of was zealous evangelizing, or preaching the Good News as Jesus said His disciples would do during the last days. He said it would be done for a "witness," to all the nations, not a conversion.

When we preach and teach, as through Bible studies, there's no obligation to become one of Jehovah's Witnesses. In fact, one has to qualify and want to become one of Jehovah's Witnesses, which includes becoming an unbaptized publisher first, before he can qualify for baptism. Our main purpose is to give them the opportunity to make an informed decision after gaining an accurate knowledge of what the Bible teaches, nothing more, nothing less.

Edited January 23, 2020 by minister159

[Sheep]

58 minutes ago, minister159 said:

When we preach and teach, as through Bible studies, there's no obligation to become one of Jehovah's Witnesses. In fact, one has to qualify and want to become one of Jehovah's Witnesses, which includes becoming an unbaptized publisher first, before he can qualify for baptism. Our main purpose is to give them the opportunity to make an informed decision after gaining an accurate knowledge of what the Bible teaches, nothing more, nothing less.

Good comment. Jesus did say we are to make disciples. In general, that is our commission. However, it doesn't mean we are a failure if we don't "convert" every person we meet. If someone asks if I am trying to convert people, here's how I usually answer them:

 

In reality, we have never succeeded in converting anyone. We simply give the witness to people, as Jesus commanded. If we meet someone who wants to know more, we offer to help them understand the Bible better through a Bible study. So, this interested person studies the Bible with us. He (or she) learns about Jehovah's personality and his requirements for us. He comes to love Jehovah and wants to serve him forever, and wants to get baptized. He makes that decision, not us. If anything, it is that person who converts himself! No one else can do that for him.

 

Edited January 23, 2020 by Sheep

[Beggar for the Spirit]

While there is a difference between how we proselytize compared to most religions, likely more and more people are going to find reasons to dislike or hate any form of religious teaching, preaching, evangelism, proselytism. We know that soon there will be a worldwide attack on all religions. Why? Because the world is going to view, not just evangelizing or proselytism as negative, but view all religion as bad because in their view religion causes division, feelings of supremacy, bias, prejudice, and even hatred of others.  And to be honest, we agree with this for the most part, with exception to 1 specific religion.

 

But we ourselves know that various religions over many centuries have forced their beliefs and religion on others, demanding that the people either convert or pay a penalty, in some cases the penalty has been death. However, our religion is rare. We do evangelize and proselytize, but not by putting pressure on people, or by offering incentives, or forcibly converting others. Are we trying to convert others? Yes of course, just like Eric nicely mentioned in his post about the CO's response. But we have the best motives for trying to convert others, and even the writer of the article that Deena shared with us basically said that if religions' motives were better, then he wouldn't mind evangelism/proselytism. Here is brief quote:

Quote

Many of us don’t see evangelism as religious supremacy because it doesn’t necessarily look like a problem. It can feel to the evangelist like a wish to share the joy in one’s faith...This may seem innocuous on its face.  “What’s wrong with sharing something that I think can help you?”

My honest answer: If this were how it played out in reality, I wouldn’t mind so much.

But this writer is looking at the problems with "white supremacy" and the terrible history of "religious supremacy" in which the sharing of one's beliefs and helping others are not the motives.  Sadly many people are going to include us with all religions and view us as having an agenda or having religious supremacy. Even today, haven't many of us had experiences with our relatives, neighbors who say to us, "You people think you are better than others!". So all we can do is try our best to cultivate humility, view others as superior, evangelize, proselytize, convert, but in the only proper way to do so, the way Jesus taught and proselytized himself.

 

And here is a good explanation of the fact that we actually do proselytize, but unlike other religions, our methods and motives are based on love, not based on providing enticements or pressure.

Quote

*** w02 1/1 pp. 10-12 pars. 8-15 All True Christians Are Evangelizers ***

Is proselytism harmful? It can be. Jesus said that the proselytism of the scribes and Pharisees was harmful to the converts they made. (Matthew 23:15) Certainly, “forcible conversion” is wrong...
Are conversions forced today? In a sense, some are. Certain missionaries of Christendom reportedly offer overseas scholarships to potential converts. Or they may make a starving refugee sit through a sermon in order to obtain a ration of food. According to a statement issued in 1992 by a convention of Orthodox Primates, “proselytism sometimes occurs through material enticement and sometimes by various forms of violence.”
 Pressuring people to change their religion is wrong. Certainly, Jehovah’s Witnesses do not act in such a way. Hence, they do not proselytize in the modern meaning of the word. Rather, like the first-century Christians, they preach the good news to everyone. Any who respond voluntarily are invited to take in more knowledge by means of a Bible study. Such interested ones learn to put faith, solidly based on accurate Bible knowledge, in God and his purposes. As a result, they call on God’s name, Jehovah, for salvation. (Romans 10:13, 14, 17) Whether they will accept the good news or not is a matter of personal choice. There is no compulsion. If there were, conversion would be meaningless. To be acceptable to God, worship must come from the heart.—Deuteronomy 6:4, 5; 10:12.

 

Edited January 23, 2020 by Beggar for the Spirit

[Shawnster]

7 hours ago, Sheep said:

Are Jehovah's Witnesses trying to convert others? That's a difficult question to answer. If we say No, that wouldn't be completely true. But if we say Yes, that wouldn't be entirely true either. The real answer lies in the middle somewhere.

 

Years ago the subject came up for discussion when a Circuit Overseer told us that we are trying to convert others. If not, then Jesus' command to "make disciples" would be meaningless. So off I went to do some research. I found this article (although old) that gives a very balanced view.

*** w01 12/1 p. 8 “You’ve Dialed the Wrong Number” ***
After a moment of silence came the response: “I suppose you’re right. You’d better come. But mind you, you will never convert me!”
“Mrs. G—, I could never convert you even if I wanted to,” Caroline replied. “Only Jehovah can do that.”

[Bek]

Quote

Of course, they do not use force or unchristian methods in their preaching work. No coercion is employed to bring about conversion. Instead, Biblical truths are taught today by Jehovah’s Christian witnesses. Those with righteous hearts respond to the truth. It is not the personal force of the minister that changes the person, for Christ said: “No man can come to me unless the Father, who sent me, draws him.” (John 6:44) It is the truth of God’s Word, as preached by Jehovah’s witnesses, that sets persons free from religious bondage. (John 8:32) Those who hear the message of truth must individually decide whether to accept or reject it. They determine whether to turn around, to make a change in life, to quit being fashioned after this system of things and become converts to true Christianity.—Rom. 12:2.

But Jehovah’s witnesses are doing a proselyting work, a work of conversion, just like that of the early Christians. Due to their ministry, hundreds of thousands of persons have abandoned Babylon the Great. And we joyfully look to the future, for there still remains some time for others to heed the admonition: “Get out of her, my people.”—Rev. 18:4.Source

@leoperalesSo technically we do the work of conversion (or drawing people), but we do not do the converting/drawing itself. It is Jehovah who draws people. 

 

The words conversion/proselytising are very negative in former Soviet countries and in Muslim world. It is often unlawful to do it and a person can end up in jail or even be killed. That is why we never say that our purpose is to convert someone. 

 

 

Edited January 25, 2020 by Bek

[Avuhe]

Recently I was out in the ministry and a woman after listening to the good news, asked. Why do you people feel that your religion is better than others? I just simply reply her that not just us but all religious groups have the believe that their way of worship is better. Like what African proverb said. No body would agree that his mother's soup is not sweet. So I told the woman that it is normal for every group to claim they have the truth, but the main thing is ask the person to prove why he or she feels they have the truth and if the proof doesn't satisfy you then move on. The woman saw the point and the discussion went on successful