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Slain relief workers were not proselytizing, Christian group insists

CWN - August 09, 2010

After 10 members were killed in Afghanistan, a Christian relief group has denied that its members are engaged in efforts to convert Muslims.

Leaders of the International Assistance Mission, responding to reports that 10 staff members were killed by the Taliban, said that their mission in Afghanistan is humanitarian. "Our faith motivates and inspires us, but we do not proselytise. We abide by the laws of Afghanistan," insisted Dirk Frans, executive secretary of the group.

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  • Posted by: stpetric - Aug. 09, 2010 7:26 PM ET USA

    I would appreciate greater clarity in the understanding and use of the word "proselytize". The media-and even some in the church-seem to use it as a synonym for "evangelize". But it seems to me that "proselytize" has negative connotations that we ought not associate with evangelism, such as implications of deception, coercion, bribery, etc. In my more paranoid moments, I suspect many in the media are happy to foster that confusion, because they see evangelism as inherently suspect.

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