How should we go about spreading the good news?
Recently, in religion class, the teacher told me that it's never acceptable to tell someone that their religion is false or that their god isn't real. This raised important questions for a Christian such as myself, since, necessarily, evangelization requires us to proclaim the gospel as the truth--and therefore imply, at least, that other religions aren't real or are at least partially false.
After a good deal of reflection, I've come to some conclusions about the ideal methods of evangelization. I've come up with three, but let me know in the comments below if you think of any that would be just as effective, or even more useful!
1. Simply saying the truth without directly condemning the lies
People are naturally curious, but at the same time we don't usually like our own views to be confronted. We like discovering things and being right about it.
Simply telling someone about Christ in a positive way might get them asking questions and seeking more information, or just trying to understand. In contrast, telling them that they are wrong in a negative way might cause them to get defensive. Of course, these are broad generalizations, but that's how it goes most of the time.
2. Asking questions
Another broad generalization is that people like talking about themselves, their beliefs, etc. Unless the person is an introvert. (In that case, I've found that they'll get me talking despite my efforts to ask them questions.)
Say you're talking with a friend and the topic of religion comes up. Here's an example of what you can say:
You: What do you believe about religion?
Friend: Oh, I'm atheist.
You: I'm curious; what does that mean to you?
Friend: I don't believe in any god or supernatural being; that would be ridiculous.
You: Hmm. Why would it be ridiculous?
Friend: Well, science explains more than religion does. And besides, there's no concrete proof for religion.
You: What would you consider to be proof?
And it goes on. Potentially, you could get your friend (or teacher, or classmate, or colleague, or anyone really) to reflect on their beliefs and perhaps question themselves. This could lead them to Christ. At least it allows them to open up their minds and think about why they believe what they do, and, in any case, it makes for good conversation.
3. Through good actions
The beautiful hearts and actions of the parishioners at my church are what converted me to Catholicism. At the time, I wasn't too keen on the Church; to me, it was (as it seems to many in modern day times) an instrument of oppression. But when I started going with my family to church each Sunday, I began to realize that the people there were not interested in condemning me or hurting me at all.
About five months after we began going to my parish, I was baptized and had my first communion, and during Lent that year, it was as if my eyes were opened to all the lies I had previously believed. Gently, Christ guided me towards the light.
If not for the happiness and the kindness of Christians around me, I might still be lost today.
You can also use your actions in order to spread the good news simply by acting in love for God and others! Sometimes, that's all someone needs.
And that concludes my three-point list of ideal ways to evangelize! Of course, that's not all the ways to spread the gospel, and free speech allows for most of us to proclaim the good news without fear.
Don't forget to comment on the ways you like to spread the good news to others!
