I'm asking for people with experience in missions...specifically in the middle east i plan to go to Israel this year as a missionary, during the Pentecost. I'm worried though, because I've been told its not a low risk trip- is it against the law to spread Christianity there? is there a possibility that we will either be executed or killed by extremists? and if so how high is the risk? any info would be great. thanks.
Israel - 17 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Why don't you think of going to Pakistan or Afghanistan? It will be very safe to do Your dirty job there. After that good experience, you may choose Saudi Arabia followed by other Gulf countries! And being a Missionary, why you are so scared of getting killed by extremists? Jesus will save you. Take courage and go ahead. Book you tickets toi Karachi.
2 :
Israel is a country for Jewish people. Judaism is their religion, not Christianity. Why do you think you are entitled to go there and try to convert them to your belief system? How would you like it if Jews or Muslims constantly harrassed you to convert to their religion? As for your safety, yes there are some extremists there, much l\ike there are elsewhere in the world. Definite risks also, with the possibiility of suicide bombings, and with the middle east being an explosive regioun in general.
3 :
You are so right. It is by and large a violent place even for the Jewish people. Bless them but don't talk about born again around them....Not Wise!
4 :
actually there is a small christian community which are catholics and orthodoxs.. as catholic.. protestants or evangelics are not welcomed to middle east in general.. becuase you want to convert them.. the roman catholic or the orthodox churches are not doing that work, and our communities have been in Israel before the protestantism comes.. so you are not welcomed
5 :
It is a criminal offense in Israel to give or promise anything materialistic to some one in order to change his/her religion. There's also a proposal to make it illegal to preach for conversion. Generally, Jews frown upon missionary work, and there have been some instances of violence against missionaries, especially against those who call themselves "Messianic Jews".
6 :
It isn't a crime to be Christian. In fact, Christianity is very much embraced in Israel. I'm not a missionary, but I've been to Israel, and along the Jordan River, they have baptisms daily with people from all around the world. No-one is going to execute you, unless you take someone hostage, which I sincerely doubt you'd do :) As for risk factors, don't wave a Palestinian flag in the streets, and don't look like you have a bomb. Also, don't try to pass around leaflets about Christianity, or try to convert people - Israelis don't take kindly to that. You should be fine. Have a safe, fun, and productive trip!
7 :
Israel has laws which prevents you from publicly organizing to spread any religion. This includes passing out pamphlets and religious texts for free. This comes from a Jewish tradition to not spread religion, but instead allow only people to come to you, with the belief that people who come to you are sincere about converting. If you want to spread Christianity, it should be done on a more personal level, telling people you know that you think that they should convert. That is legal in Israel. As for the risk factor, there is the chance some of the ultra-religious Haredi or Muslims (depending on who you preach to) will be violent, and attack you. They aren't legally allowed to do this, but they still do, sometimes. Otherwise, you could be arrested for trying proselytizer potential converts. Since Israel is a democracy, you will receive a fair trial. It is not as high a risk as many other surrounding countries.
8 :
First I would like to know by what authority or bible verse you feel you have a mandate to convert Jews. There are plenty of Christians living there for that. There is need in America. God has his own plan for Israel and it doesn't involve Evangelicals. If you just have to go somewhere and spread the word stand outside any school in America they sure aren't getting any there. The country is going to Atheist and Pagans. But you need to save Israel? I suggest you learn more of your Old Testament before you take on the Jews.
9 :
Nope,Israel is rated number 4 among the top five most dangerous places on Earth. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1090160.html Next to Angola and Somalia.
10 :
forget it, that society is not that tolerant, or open minded to others beliefs, some people are real whack jobs. protesting because a car park opened! haha gets me everytime.
11 :
As my friend once put it, why target other monotheists when there are many polytheists out there?
12 :
As other people already stated; why are you going so far away anyway dear? I mean there must be evangelists in that country, maybe not that much, but I am nearly sure they exist. So helping your own nation seems like a wiser idea. And also another point of view, I live in Turkey and we have evangelists around here too and as far as I know, they can do their thing quite safely, but what I noticed about this issue is; evangelists who are nationals of that country (who speaks the language, who knows the culture, etc) tend to be more succesful in that thing they do (giving leaflets or CDs, answering questions, knowing where they should go on talking and when they should stop it and more listen etc.). People tend to believe in them but not a foreigner also :) You know it is just an idea, but it may lead you somewhere...
13 :
i personally would be more worried about what israelis will do to you than anything else. .. Us jews had 2000 years of forced conversion, conversion attempts that are still going on today in the form of jews for jesus etc ... ISRAEL IS A JEWISH COUNTRY.. jews go there because they want to live a fully jewish life - in a jewish country, under jewish law.. away from the discrimination and conversion attempts of other countries... There are laws in israel against preaching on the street and israelis in general really dont take kindly to conversion attempts... especially in more religious areas... us israelis can be very blunt and far more direct and in your face than in other countries.and youll find that there are a lot of people who wont be afraid at all to tell you what they think of you trying to convert them .. not only that but its likely that if you are caught preaching youll be put in jail or deported. neither will be a pleasant experience. .. to add to that , there is the security situation and areas where you will - as foreigners be at a higher risk of kidnapp etc... its not as bad as places like afghanistan - but some areas are very dangerous... and if you think israeli jail would be bad... it will be nothing compared to staying at the pleasure of hamas terroristss... my advice - come to israel - its a beautifull place... but please respect the faith of the people and the country and leave the conversion and preaching behind... surely t hat is a better way to express your faith ???
14 :
You can do it only if you don't mind getting spit on or getting rocks thrown at you or getting yelled at. Believe me that's what you're going to get from israelis. No mercy.
15 :
i doubt you would be killed but i highly suggest you don't, you do know a lot of Jewish people especially in Israel really don't like when people try to convert them. like I'm sure you don't like when people try to convert you. since Israel is a democracy I'm sure its against the law to kill someone. but if you are I'm sure you'll be glad to know they might be punished (if they're caught of course) :) you really shouldn't go. Israel is a Jewish state but not everyone is Jewish and it is not against the law to spread Christianity but like i said before - don't go they will not appreciate it
16 :
The law here states that you cannot offer anything to anyone in exchange for conversion of their beliefs. A little while ago, the mormons came here offering for Jews to move to the states and be given houses and jobs after converting. So if you really think you can sway or beliefs simply by reading to us, go right ahead. It's not like you'll get any better results just knocking on peoples' doors. But be forewarned. If you run into me, I would be I could sit you down and talk you into giving up your missionary work. My count for that is already at 4 with probably another dozen or so still pondering their belief structure.
17 :
Israel is safe, as long as you don't enter the West Bank, Gaza strip or any town 40 km from the Gaza strip.I would advise against proselytizing in Israel because proselytizing any type of religion in Israel is illegal due to the fact that it instigates violence. But it is not illegal to practice Christianity in Israel.
