Conversion is a Part of Christian Mission, Too
By Diane Glass
ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION
Posted on Sat, Sep. 17, 2005
Tallahassee Democrat
For those of you who believe in the power of prayer, I sure hope you were praying for Katrina's victims long before the formally sanctioned "day of prayer" granted by President Bush. This officious day of remembrance smells a lot like a Marxian opiate to me. Otherwise, how could I explain the oddity of our leader violating our First Amendment right to the separation of church and state? Because, as Shaunti is wont to point out: Secularism is also a religious belief, one that isn't included in official calls of prayer, or the persistent, annoying sound of evangelical proselytizing.
Shaunti deflects who is really responsible because what we're talking about are Christian aid relief organizations, not all "religious-based" groups. Other world religions don't have the same single-minded call to convert, as there is in Christian theology.
Which is why it's naive to think evangelical aid workers are there only to help. Missionaries have a "mission," and evangelicals are "committed." They may provide assistance to those in need, but they aren't in it to help so much as to amass obedient followers.
The Christian and Missionary Alliance Web site clearly states that their intent is to encourage "believers of diverse backgrounds and theological traditions to unite in an alliance to know and exalt Jesus Christ." The National Association of Evangelicals has identical objectives to "extend the Kingdom of God" through fellowship. Then there's the modern-day tenets of the "Jews for Jesus" organization that litters the streets with pamphlets in pursuit of passing yarmulkes. And let's not forget that Jesus told his posse to be "fishers of men" before ascending to the heavens.
I think it's much more noble (not to mention Christian) to give aid with no ulterior motive. I also think it's dishonest to assist someone in the guise of helping him while he's vulnerable, like a wolf in a Grimm's fairy tale. Relief workers would do better to assist (and not persist) in spreading the Gospel, simply because helping someone is kind; stalking the weak and vulnerable is predatory.
ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION
Posted on Sat, Sep. 17, 2005
Tallahassee Democrat
For those of you who believe in the power of prayer, I sure hope you were praying for Katrina's victims long before the formally sanctioned "day of prayer" granted by President Bush. This officious day of remembrance smells a lot like a Marxian opiate to me. Otherwise, how could I explain the oddity of our leader violating our First Amendment right to the separation of church and state? Because, as Shaunti is wont to point out: Secularism is also a religious belief, one that isn't included in official calls of prayer, or the persistent, annoying sound of evangelical proselytizing.
Shaunti deflects who is really responsible because what we're talking about are Christian aid relief organizations, not all "religious-based" groups. Other world religions don't have the same single-minded call to convert, as there is in Christian theology.
Which is why it's naive to think evangelical aid workers are there only to help. Missionaries have a "mission," and evangelicals are "committed." They may provide assistance to those in need, but they aren't in it to help so much as to amass obedient followers.
The Christian and Missionary Alliance Web site clearly states that their intent is to encourage "believers of diverse backgrounds and theological traditions to unite in an alliance to know and exalt Jesus Christ." The National Association of Evangelicals has identical objectives to "extend the Kingdom of God" through fellowship. Then there's the modern-day tenets of the "Jews for Jesus" organization that litters the streets with pamphlets in pursuit of passing yarmulkes. And let's not forget that Jesus told his posse to be "fishers of men" before ascending to the heavens.
I think it's much more noble (not to mention Christian) to give aid with no ulterior motive. I also think it's dishonest to assist someone in the guise of helping him while he's vulnerable, like a wolf in a Grimm's fairy tale. Relief workers would do better to assist (and not persist) in spreading the Gospel, simply because helping someone is kind; stalking the weak and vulnerable is predatory.
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