“I’d like to start going to church, but the only time I’ve been no one greeted me or made any attempt to make me feel welcome. I guess they realized I didn’t belong. Maybe I’m just not cut out for churchgoing.”
“What do you think about someone who claims to be a Christian, but thinks nothing of gossiping about other people, lying, or things like that? My neighbor is like that, and her attempts to get me interested in her church really turn me off. ”
“I’ve always been an optimistic person, believing we can solve our differences and create a better, more peaceful world. But frankly it’s been harder for me to think this way recently. Will we ever see true world peace?”
“I’d probably enjoy my job more if it weren’t for my boss. He’s always criticizing me and pointing out things he thinks I could have done better, and he never has a good word to say about anything. I need the job, but this is really getting me down. How should I react?”
“My doctor just called to say I need to go back to the radiologist for another X-ray, because something suspicious showed up on the first one. But I can’t face going back. I’m so frightened that I might have breast cancer. I know that’s stupid, but I can’t help it. Why is God doing this to me? ”
“We had a big debate the other day in our Bible study class about which is the more damaging emotion—anger or hatred. We couldn’t decide, but wondered what you’d say.”
“I can’t help my feelings of jealousy, although I’ve tried. For example, if I see my husband talking with another woman, I’m always afraid they’ll get too friendly. He gets upset at me for this, but he just doesn’t understand my feelings.”
“You preachers are always saying we need to change our behavior and become better people, but I don’t agree. I think we need to learn to accept ourselves just as we are, and quit feeling guilty over our shortcomings. We’ll never be perfect anyway, so why worry about it?”
“I’m probably more fearful than most people, but why shouldn’t I be? After all, the world is a scary place and a lot can go wrong. My husband says I shouldn’t be so worried about things, but I can’t help it. I guess it’s just my personality.”
“I think all you evangelists are just in it for the money. I watch some of you on TV occasionally, and all you do is ask for money. Religion is just a fraud as far as I’m concerned. Why should I listen to any of you?”
“I heard from a religious friend of mine that Jesus is going to come back to earth someday. But how will we know if He does? Maybe He’ll be born in some remote part of the world and we’ll never even hear about Him.”
“We moved to a new city a few months ago when my husband was transferred. He loves his new job, but I’m miserable because I don’t know anyone here, and I’m just getting more and more depressed. I’ve even thought about going back home, although I don’t want to. What would you advise?”