Quick people, tell me the difference between proselytize and evangelize. To the editors of the Virginian Pilot, there seems to be a huge difference. One is allowed in the military and one is not, and those who say they are the same are mouth-breathing Neanderthals who want to establish Christian theocracy. They’re just crazy to imagine that the government would outlaw spreading the word of God. And you’re nuts is you believe that.
But if you want to look up the difference you’ll find that they are synonyms, you know, used interchangeably. So if you can’t tell the difference, then the difference is totally under the control of those who enforce the policy that says one is permitted and one is forbidden.
The first definition of evangelize is “convert to Christianity: to convert somebody or the people of an area to Christianity, especially by preaching or missionary work.” The second is to “be an advocate for a cause: to try to persuade other people to share enthusiasm for specific beliefs and ideals”
Looking up proselytize and you find “to try to convert somebody to a religious faith or political doctrine.” Now tell me again what the difference is.
The reaction of the editors of the Virginian Pilot is either due to ignorance or hostility. There is a chance that English majors or graduates of journalism school don’t understand that they are synonyms, but not much of a chance. That leaves hostility to both proselytizing and evangelization. Plus it gives them an opportunity to bash the Right and Christians, an opportunity they can’t allow to let pass; any reason will do, even if it’s stupid.
No comments:
Post a Comment