“I got pregnant when I was 16, and after my boyfriend and I got married we only stayed together a few months after our son was born. That was almost 30 years ago, but my biggest heartbreak is that this son now says he doesn't want anything to do with me. I know I haven't been a perfect mother, but is God judging me for what I did wrong?”
“How do you know there is only one God? Some religions in other parts of the world believe there are thousands and thousands of gods and goddesses, and how do you know they aren't right? I find the idea rather attractive myself.”
“Recently, I read a book about a religious cult that had hurt a lot of people—ruining them financially, destroying their families, taking away their freedom, and so forth. Why does this kind of thing always seem to happen with religious groups like this?”
“My mother lives alone and it's getting harder and harder for her to take care of herself. But she's always been very independent and gets upset if I even hint that she ought to consider moving into a nursing home. How should I deal with this?”
“Do you think computers could ever take over the world someday? I know it sounds like science fiction, but computers are becoming so sophisticated that I wonder in what kind of a world we'll be living in 50 years. Does the Bible say anything about this?”
“Our two young boys are at the age when they are asking all sorts of questions, including a lot of questions about God—most of which we can't answer. Where can we find some answers that will satisfy them?”
“I think the world would be a much better place if religion was banned. All that religion has done is cause wars and conflicts over the centuries, and it isn't any different today. I don't expect any politicians will have the courage to actually ban religion, but we'd be better off if they did. I have no use for religion.”
“What makes Jesus different from all the other religious leaders who ever lived, as you Christians say He was? I know He was a great man, and I respect His teachings, but other major religious leaders were just as great, in my opinion.”
“My neighbor keeps trying to get me to read the Bible, because she says it will answer my problems. I appreciate her concern, but how can something written thousands of years ago help us right now? We live in a different world, and we don't have the same problems they had back then.”
“Some people in our community want to use some space in our church basement to start a community food bank. I think it's a good idea, but a couple of people in our church oppose the plan. They say it might bring in the wrong kind of people and create problems. What would your opinion be?”
“I've heard preachers say we ought to read the Bible, and I'm sure they are right. But I have a learning disability that makes it very hard for me to read, and I just can't tackle something as big as the Bible. Will God be angry at me for not reading the Bible?”
“Do you believe God has a plan for each person, and when we ask Him, He'll tell us which way we ought to go? I'm facing a major decision in my career right now, but to be honest I'm not sure if God cares which choice I make. Am I wrong about this?”