OK, I’m an atheist, but I’m interested in religion.
So: What is witnessing?
I’m interested in a simple definition of what it means to witness, but also what its function is.
from a christianity perspective witnessing is,simply put, an act of obedience by which christians are told to go into the world making disciples of all people.
Kinda like a mass recruitment.
It’s function is to convert people to christianity.
Greenback is basically correct. The reason it is called “witnessing” is that people usually tell their own experiences, feelings and beliefs while trying to convert someone else.
From Mark 16: 5 “And he [Jesus] said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
Some Christians call this “The Great Commission” and see it as a prerequisite for entry into heaven.
Others see it more as a “request” of Christ, not a commandment, and “witness” out of their genuine concern that their friends will burn in hell unless they successfully convert them.
I have lost friends in the past because they just WOULD NOT STOP witnessing to me. They would find a way to turn the conversation to God at every chance.
Me: “I’ve gotta run to the store and buy some sugar.”
Reply: “You know, Christ is as sweet as sugar.”
As Lissa implies, sometimes techniques for witnessing leave a lot to be desired! 
Extensive discussion of effective witnessing went on in this Pizza Parlor thread and its spin-off on Calvinism. Several members of both this board and the PP participated in these threads.
In my mind, the most effective means of witness is to live out what Christ said to do and to be upfront that you’re doing it at His behest – to, for example, show sincere friendship to others. St. Francis of Assisi once said in this regard: “Preach the Gospel to all people. If necessary, use words.”
This idea has Scriptural warrant in “By this shall all men know that you are My disciples, that you love one another.”
That Francis. What a card.
Thanks all for exaplaining… I was confused by English and had been under the impression that it had to involve saying you had seen or experienced something. But then lots of the time it seemed more liek what you’re all saying.
Language is a virus. -Laurie Anderson