There are so many things I can ask here to you all at Revelife.
But my most burning question is, why is God such an unappetizing conversation topic outside of church? Even at church or faith communities, conversations more readily and often turn to routine schedule, the next most exciting event we look forward to, gossip, or stuff about our families.
Obviously with that comes a host of other things that aren't talked about with gusto that much, related to the Bible and leading a Christian walk while living in a lost world, but that's my question for you all today.
Leave your observations, musings, hypotheses, or a pretty doodle interpretation. Look forward to seeing what you come up with!
How do you respond? Why does the topic of God seem to be less important outside of Christian communities? What is generally the topic of conversation at church on Sunday? What should it be?
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Comments (11)
I dunno why I don't want to talk about it much, unless it's in a Bible study or something. I guess I assume that people get bombarded with it all the time when they don't want it. Why should I add to it? They'll automatically come up with assumptions about me that aren't true and not want to talk to me anymore. Why start conflict if there doesn't need to be any? I'd much rather show through my actions that I'm Christian. That seems more like I'm saying "See? Christians aren't horrible people..." instead of forcing religion on someone. However, this does also apply to when I talk to people who ARE Christian. In that case I'm not sure why I don't talk about it.
It used to be avoided as a topic of conversation because too many folks couldn't handle a discussion about religious topics as if they were mature adults. That's still very true today.
The other issue is that we are often more distracted and less present to the world around us, which inevitably decreases our awareness of God.
To your first question, people find it difficult to talk about God because they don't feel they understand Him very well or know what it is He really wants or expects of them or anyone. While I am far from perfect, I am very grateful for the relationship I have with Heavenly Father and Jesus. That leads me to look for opportunities to share faith-promoting and uplifting stories, quotes, scriptures, and experiences with others. I started sharing things like that at our daily production planning meeting, and now there are three other people who also occasionally share things.
To your second question, at church, while we do talk a little about our secular lives, we also talk about church activities and how they can be more meaningful experiences to bring us closer to Christ. We talk about our families, our blessings, our trials and challenges, how to help others, and how to make the Gospel more meaningful in our lives. I've heard it said that if you go to church to be entertained you will generally leave unfulfilled, but if you go to church prepared and seeking to worship God, He will grant unto you a measure of His peace and His Spirit. In my experience, that is true.
The topic of G-d isn't as important outside of religious communities because those groups aren't centered on Him. Why would, or should they be? Seems like an odd question. It's also important to understand that outside religious communities, the idea of G-d is up to the individual. Talking about something for which there isn't "scientific proof" of doesn't really go anywhere since its bascially up to the individual.
When people think religion, they think the worst, they automatically think of all the homophobic and homicidal incidents that have happened in the name of religion. And then they think of a higher power that can make the decision whether they suffer for eternity, or live in peace for eternity, people don't like to be reminded of their mortality, and they certainly don't want to think about a deity that is more powerful than them, a deity that watches our every sin and judges us for them and asks us to repent for our misdoings. This is why it's such a sensitive topic to most people, at least that's what I believe.
People go to church for the social atmosphere and to share their hatred for some identifiable group - such as Musims. My parents go to church and have all of their lives. Church is the only place my elderly parents have friends. No one talks about god because most are only HOPING it is true. Any clear thinking individual has to be suspicious of the motives of a priest or pastor who fancies himself as closer to god. It is just not a proper place to get lectured about anything.
when we don't spend a lot of one-on-one time with God it becomes a sore subject...
At church... the deeper I dig into the Word and want to share and talk to others about it, the more easily recognizable it is when I approach the subject with someone just "going thru the motions". They have just put in their church time and are instantly back into their own little worlds once the sermon, bible study etc is done. Maybe it is time to find new people in your church to talk to or to find a new church all together?
People outside the church especially have to be in a certain mood to even consider God. Sure we could point fingers and say the fault lies with another Christian's bad witness, or point to bad past experiences within the church. But lets face it, a lot of rebellious self centered attitude is involved too. Each and every one of us, myself included, had the same attitude at one time; sometimes still fighting it. What breaks down the walls to comfortably share you faith is going to be different with each person. Unfortunately the time investment in getting to know the person to properly do so is harder with all of today's distractions.
Hey...okay - Q1) Guilt...
Q2) Humanity is so wrapped up in themselves alone...
Q3) Badly needed...
Q4) Is & should always be the only true appetizing subject...
...you did ask - didn't you ?
(& HE is coming soon too !)
I've found that relationship with God is very personal...and can at times be painful. So just as my daughter and I rarely talk about the divorce of her mom and I, relationship with God I think can be intentionally avoided. And I think it can be painful for several reasons: 1) its very tempting to be offended by God (many in the Bible were including, John the Baptist, Peter, Elijah, Jonah) particularly if one is taking big faith risks (as those guys in the Bible were) 2) a well-meaning (or not) church member with untested beliefs reciting doctrine can cause pain unknowingly or unlovingly.
And even if relationship with God is kickin' at the moment, since relationship with God can be incredibly intimate, people may only want to discuss within the context of trusted human relationship. But if one has an understanding that God is truth and life, than any discussion of the meaning of life or exploration of truth can be had from a foundation of belief (even if explicit divine relationship is held only by one of the conversation participants). For example, I meet regularly with a group of guys and as far as I know I'm the only one with explicit relationship with God, but we talk about lots of stuff where I share my understanding of truth in relationship with God...and many times without mentioning God by name.
For many, God is not an unappetizing topic. God is disparaged routinely in the media, yet the US is still a country of believers.
In the public realm athiests have sued to have 10 Commandments monuments and Crosses removed in my State -- this is an attempt to push back, to turn believers into second-class citizens, and often be liberal bigots. Except that courts recently have ruled in favor of some religious public displays.
So: the future looks more fair for believers to simply be able to talk about God, and make God a more appetizing topic.
I believe that we all need God. Our society does much to feed and clothe people, to give us techno things like TV radio and the internet. We can easily feel that man can solve all problems, and hence no need for God, but we all will die one day. Most people who don't like to talk about God also don't like to
thinkabout death and how our time here is limited.