“I wish I could live my life over again. I've lost everything I ever had because of drugs—not just my money, but my family, friends, health and self-respect. Now I'm in an institution and don't know if I'll ever get out. My parents tried to warn me years ago, but I wouldn't listen. Maybe some people would listen if you warned them.”
“I know Christians believe Jesus was divine (in fact, we heard a lot about this at Christmas, with the carols and everything). But why do they believe it? After all, Jesus didn't claim to be God, did He? Wasn't that a later invention?”
“I'd give anything to know that God has really forgiven me for all the wrong things I've done. I've prayed and prayed for Him to forgive me, but how do I know if He has? I'm still filled with guilt and remorse, no matter how much I pray.”
“Why don't Christians believe in reincarnation? Personally, I think it's kind of exciting to think that death isn't the end, and we'll get to come back and experience another life on this earth (or perhaps on some other planet).”
“Our neighbors really get into Christmas in a big way—lots of decorating, parties, expensive gifts and so forth. But to them it's just a time to have family fun, with no religious meaning. How can we get them thinking about the real meaning of Christmas?”
“Do you think people will ever learn to get along with each other so that wars and conflicts will eventually cease? Shouldn't we do more to try to get people to respect each other and live in peace?”
“I know Christmas is supposed to celebrate the birthday of Jesus, but is there more to it than that? I didn't grow up in a religious family, so I've never thought much about the meaning of Christmas. But now that I have a family of my own I'd like to explore some of the things I missed when I was growing up.”
“Is faith something that some people have and others don't—just like some people have blond hair and others don't? I'd like to have faith in God, but I've almost decided that I'm never going to have it because I wasn't born with it. What would you say?”
“I don't mean to offend you, but I don't believe people who tell me they have changed because they've given their life to Jesus. I'm in prison, and I think anyone around here who claims they've gotten religion is faking it. They're just trying to impress the parole board so they can get out earlier. What do you think?”
“My parents were very sincere Christians, but somehow it didn't rub off on me. I know I've probably been a big disappointment to them but that's the way it is. How do you account for the fact that religious people sometimes have the most rebellious kids?”
“I've tried to confess all my sins to God so He will forgive them, but what about the ones I can't remember? I know I've probably forgotten about some of the things I've done, but does this mean God won't forgive them and I won't go to heaven?”
“I know I've had a pretty messed up life so far—several marriages, drugs, lots of affairs, a couple of abortions, you name it. But I'd like to start all over again, so I've been trying to make some New Year's resolutions recently. What do you think I ought to include on my list?”