“Our son is coming home from college this Christmas, and we’re kind of dreading it. He’s let us know he no longer believes in God and has no intention of going to church with us. We don’t want to spend the holidays arguing, but how should we react? ”
“We’re debating whether or not to invite my aunt for Christmas dinner. We normally do, but last year she was so sharp-tongued and critical about everything that no one wants to be around her. We don’t want our Christmas spoiled. What should we do?”
“I always get letters from charities and religious organizations this time of year begging for money, and I just throw them out. I don’t think they ought to keep asking for money all the time.”
“Why wasn’t Jesus born into a wealthy, influential family, instead of an insignificant, poor one? Wouldn’t people have paid more attention to Him, instead of rejecting Him and condemning Him to death?”
“Do you think the world will ever be at peace? For some reason, everyone talks about peace on earth at Christmastime, but if anything, the world just seems to be getting worse. What’s the problem? ”
“Why are some people so hostile toward religion? One of my co-workers claims to be an atheist, and if anyone says anything about God, their church, or anything like that, he gets very belligerent. Why is this? ”
“My husband has a long-term medical condition, and I’m his only caregiver. I wish he’d understand how hard this is, especially when all he does is complain. He reads your column, so maybe you could say something about this.”
“I started reading the Bible during my summer vacation, but I got bogged down after a few days and finally just gave up. I know it would probably help me, but how can I understand it?”
“I had major surgery recently that my doctors say will take months to heal. I’ve always been very active, but I’m already depressed and bored because I can’t do anything but watch TV all day long. Why is God doing this to me? ”
“I memorized some prayers in our church when I was a child, but I haven’t been religious since then. For some reason, however, I’ve had a desire to pray recently, but those childhood prayers seem kind of empty. Can you suggest some other prayers?”
“This year’s elections will be over by the time you get my letter, but my wife and I are so fed up with politics that we decided not to vote. Our pastor said everyone ought to vote, but the Bible doesn’t say anything about voting, does it? ”
“I know we’re supposed to give money to our church and to other worthy causes, but we’re so deeply in debt that we can’t even think about it right now. Will God forgive us for not doing this? ”