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Pray tell how Christians are going to avoid conflict while trying to steal believers from other religions? And why do these Christians feel they have a unique right to try and convert people? I saw no mention of the Christian position on allowing their own followers to switch away to Islam, Buddhism, or whatever else comes along that looks better.

Eric, please let me know if you do understand why there is only a "one way conversion" mentioned in this whole fiasco!

While I do not feel that any person of any faith should be faced with the prospect of prison, death, etc. for sharing about his/her faith; a "code of conduct" is taking the issue to an extreme. If one is afraid of the possible consequences of his/her missionary work, then why do it? There are Baptist groups that place "missionaries" in countries that are not as free about Christian faith as others. These "missionaries" are not what I would consider "full-time." Rather, they are 1/4 time!

So, I think this is rather a silly way of trying to protest/protect Christian missionaries/proselytizers.

Shalom

i find this whole issue amusing, especially in light of the fact that catholics are not evangelicals - yet they are spearheading this initiative ?? the pope goes to brazil - why - to stop the hemmoraging of his church by means of proselyting by evangelicals ! the rcc is losing millions of its parrishoners (not to mention tens of millions of their dollars). it may be that these millions of catholics found the protestant offerings more accessible and fulfilling to their spiritual needs.
this whole initiative is counter Christian imo. the gospel is simple and true - when i spread the gospel it is never my intent to raise tensions with muslims, hindus or other religious groups - however i cannot control THEIR emotions when the hear the gospel message. this initiative aims at placing codes, conducts and 'how to ' guidelines on evangelizing - i am not in the least surprised that the rcc would want to legislate how protestants evangelize - as earlier noted this evangelizing is cutting into their (rcc) growth and profits. i can't wait to see what the pontifical council (not another rcc council,oi vey)dictates what guidelines should be followed. imo it will be a declaration stating that evangelicals should water down the gospel lest we continue to hurt the feelings of other religions. Jesus never changed His message even in the face of emminent death, He never asked us to alter the gospel in order not to offend - He did commission us to GO and spread the gospel, which is what i hope continues to happen !!

darryl i don't think their sole intent is to protect Christain missionaries/proselytizers, it seems they don't want to offend anyone conscience either. the article clearly stated their objective is "to create a common code of conduct for religious conversions that would preserve the right of Christians to spread their religion while avoiding conflict among different faiths." didn't Jesus say something about Him not coming to earth to bring peace, but rather a sword !?

All the hoopla about taming Evangelical efforts to advance the Gospel message is transparently an attempt to throttle it. Since the RCC long ago abandoned the Gospel of grace (Trent), it makes them nervous in the extreme that other groups are preaching it. The Reformers knew full well that the Gospel of grace (sola gratia, sola fide) needed to be RE-introduced, as the Papal hierarchy had allowed the Church to slide into corruption and doctrinal error: so much so the light of the Gospel had been all but extinguished, except in isolated pockets of grace-oriented believers.

It’s little wonder that the very liberal WCC would also like to curb the inroads of Pentecostals and Evangelicals into their inert spiritual enclaves. They too have no Gospel of grace – only their radical, leftist liberation counterfeit.

Two dead peas in a pod! Again, there are isolated exceptions, but they are persona non grata in their communions.

Undoubtedly, there are those who are a bit “improper” in their efforts to gain converts from false religions, or no religion – mostly untrained, enthusiastic souls who have come to know the true liberation of the grace of God – too free and joy-filled to know any better. Such unbridled enthusiasm can, admittedly, be offensive at times. But this is not what’s at issue here. It’s big Gospel-less counterfeits embarrassed and threatened by the simple Gospel; which is “the power of God unto salvation.”

As Buz said, the Gospel was NEVER introduced into the world to curry favor with false religions, apostates, pagans, atheists and other assorted folk “alienated from the life of God.” Jesus indeed warned those who would take up their cross and follow Him, that they would be hated, even as he was; because, when divine Truth comes into contact with human falsehood and darkness, it inevitably sparks controversy and resistance. Always has – always will - like on this blog.

As Jesus also stated, “the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it (the Church).” This concept, and the Great Commission, are aggressive modes (spiritually), and show that it is God’s intention that Messiah and the Gospel rule the earth. Not that every soul would be converted to Christianity, but that the Kingdom of God (Messiah) would be in the ascendancy. This not because Christianity is some hateful, militant competitor with every other ideology and religion on the world stage; but because it’s THE Truth: by virtue of the saving act of its Christ, and the full and perfect revelation of the Word of God. Even if Gosple haters, in desperation, resort to death: “the blood of the saints is the seed of the Church.”

“Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”