The evangelist places himself in a position of close minded authority. The evangelist fundamentally disrespects my own religious beliefs and experiences, which lie at the very core of my existence. By assuming an authoritative attitude, he denies that my religious beliefs have validity. My existence as a non-Christian is not an equal existence. The evangelist believes that he is doing something for me for my own benefit while closing his mind to that which I hold most dear.
Evangelism is fundamentally disrespectful.
In my own conversations about spirituality, I have noticed that the most loving thing to do is to share my own experiences with people who have taken some interest in me and then listen, listen granting them their own beliefs and self-respect. These conversations have resulted in profound relationships. When we allow ourselves to really listen to other people's beliefs and experiences, we discover the beauty and magic inherent in the variety of existence on our planet. Inc. You may not reproduce this material in any form without the permission of The Brown Daily Herald. Contact The Herald if you have any comments or suggestions.