Sorry, I just can’t get past my 1950s and 1960s education. We were exhorted to convert by our examples and not by our words. IMO, it is just rude to try to argue or preach someone into believing what I believe.
Obviously, it's rude (and counterproductive) to spring on some unsuspecting non-Catholic who was just minding his own business with an assault of apologetics! But religion does sometimes come up in conversation. Sometimes people even ask voluntarily why Catholics believe something or what Catholics believe -- or spontaneously offer a totally wrong explanation of Catholic belief. In those circumstances, you gotta come up with something!
Evangelization is not about being rude or trying to convince someone.
Evangelization is first about learning about your faith yourself. There is a lot of learning/study/scripture/catechesis that goes on in this step. (Maybe this is where you are.)
Seond, evangelization is about talking with your family and close friends about your faith. Not trying to argue or preach, but when asked a question, answering it honestly. If you don’t know the answer — then tell them that and say that you will find out. Then get back to them with the answer.
Third, evangelization is about talking to the people in your community — like you do here on Free Republic. When I am out and about in the store and buying things, people ask me, what on earth are you getting ALL this for? Then I tell them it is for our Faith Formation 101 at St. Edward, and I explain that it is an evening where the Catholic faith is discussed with a priest or deacon as leader. Then I invite them to come. Then I drop it.
It all is powered by the Holy Spirit — so pray for that guidance and the words will come. I am amazed sometimes at the words that come out of my mouth in answers to questions!! And I also pray for the Holy Spirit to tell me when to SHUT my mouth!!
Know that where you are personally is OK. Some people are at my level. Some people are logical like some other posters on FR. Some are just learning. It’s OK. Just keep striving to learn — (Narrow Gate!!) LOL!
By the way, you are striving to learn or else you wouldn’t be here posting on this thread or even on the Religion Forum. Congratulations and may God continui to bless you.
But since they won't let us do it like that -- some people have NO sense of fun, you ever notice that? -- I'm more interested in addressing misperceptions than in arguing or preaching in general. I like the advice to always be ready explain who and what it is you hope in and for.
One person posted on FR that he often went to Catholic Masses and no one has ever evangelized him? I wondered why he thinks any Catholic would assume he NEEDS to be evangelized, He's in a Catholic Mass and he doesn't have a sign that says "I'm not Catholic. I think that comes from the Catholics not missing Mass even when they are on vacation and we're used to having a lot of unknown people at our place of worship.
I believe I can make more of a difference by example too.