Religions are all basically the same, right?!

As many of you already know, I drank the Stand to Reason kool-aid. They are an amazing organization that teaches you how to defend the Christian faith with gentleness and kindness and in truth. Check them out at www.str.org.

These thoughts are from the latest monthly newsletter.

As the holidays approach once again, you will most like encounter folks who are open to spiritual things, especially family. As spiritual conversations can get awkward, remember to get back to basics.

First, ask questions and listen, a lot.  Second, don’t swing for the fences. Instead, just try to get on base. Try to make one good point stick. Just put a stone in their shoe.

Many folks have strong opinions about religion that they may bring up without an invitation or reservation. Let them. As they speak pray a “Lord, help me” prayer. Listen, wait, and watch for the right opportunity to respond.

A Common Theme:

One of the more common arguments you might hear, regardless of peoples’ upbringing, is that the teaching of all religions is basically the same:Love: peaceful coexistence, people getting along. The problems come when those religious folks think their religions are the right one. Still be praying and waiting, usually you will be invited to share what you think. Even if every sentence has details you disagree with, simply contradicting what they say won’t work. Wait, and choose your own battlefield.

When they are done speaking they will invite you to share … usually saying “So, what do you think?”.
Now it’s time to speak. If they know you’re a Christian they may already be thinking that “You think 90% of the people in the world are wrong and going to Hell?” Even though this is probably true, this is not how you want to start this battle.

A simple way to start is by saying that you don’t believe all religions can be right. Then turn the tables on the person and ask, “You’ve considered what seem like similarities in religion, right?” this puts you in a position where they will actually listen. The following is an example how you might flesh this out (by Stand to Reason).  Ask…

But what of the differences?  When you think about it, Islam is not about love, but submission.  Christianity is not about love, but forgiveness. Buddhism is not about love, but escaping suffering.  Hinduism is not about love, but escaping the illusion of the world.  Love may be significant in each, but it’s not the central message of each.  Why think a modest similarity is more important than the massive differences?

As to the comment about 90% of people being wrong, I don’t see how anyone can avoid that, no matter how much love they have for people.  Look, maybe my religion is mistaken.  Maybe they’re all wrong.  But even if one group gets it right—pick any one, it doesn’t matter which—that means all the rest, 75–90% of the people on the planet, got it wrong.  It’s just simple math.

Two things that you shouldn’t miss:

First, wait some time before jumping in with both feet. Instead of sounding off the first time you heard something you disagreed with, wait for the right moment. When you’re not sure of the best way to maneuver, choose silence and attentive listening.

Second, when the opportunity arrives, be genial but direct, give them one main thing to think about, one “stone in his shoe.”  It just doesn’t add up to say all religions are true.  We can all be wrong, but we can’t all be right.

So here’s my advice for your holiday encounters.  First, shoot up a quick prayer for help, then be patient.  Listen a lot.  Ask plenty of questions.  Wait for the right opportunity before weighing in.  Second, take what God gives you, even if it’s less than you hoped for.  Don’t swing for the stands.  Just try to get on base.  Make one good point.

It’s not really that tricky.  It just takes getting back to basics.

excerpted from  www.str.org mentoring newsletter