3/23/19
Annabel, Mabel, Maliah, and Max
(See our conversation HERE)
They were a motley crew, sitting on the front stoop of a
house, enjoying the first warm sunny day in a long time. As I drove by I thought they might have some
time on their hands, so I pulled over and walked back to see if they would be
willing to allow me to record a conversation about their religious
beliefs.
They turned out to be Annabel, Mabel, Maliah, and Max; all good
friends and 3 of them members of a local rock band. Their religious upbringing was diverse: Mabel
from what she described as a non-religious but morally upright family; Max from
a Jewish background; Maliah from a Filipino Catholic tradition with a strong
emphasis on various superstitions; and Annabel, who grew up Roman Catholic but
no longer practicing. Several had been
dealing with the recent passing of a loved one, which was fresh on their minds
and hearts.
A common denominator in their beliefs is an appreciation for
their spiritual and cultural roots and a desire to pass on a positive legacy to
others through their relationships and values in a way that, while it may not
be the same as their ancestors, would be pleasing to them. Most described a general state of existence, something
like the Tree of Life in the movie “Avatar”, rather than the continuation of
individual personalities and relationships after we die.
I am used to talking with only one or two people at a time,
and after I hear the stories of their religious backgrounds, experiences, and
current beliefs, I am usually able to make connections to the biblical Gospel
in the process or as a result. But each
of the four in this close-knit group of friends had much to say about their own
particular experiences and beliefs, so there wasn’t much time to relate many gospel
truths in response. As much as I want to
share the Gospel, I really didn’t want to wear out the welcome which they had
so graciously given me.
So was this a conversation worth having? They all agreed it was and I do too, even if
all I did was ask some good questions and do a lot of listening. Jesus didn’t disclose all aspects of the
Gospel in every conversation. Instead,
he asked many thought-provoking questions that helped further his listeners
along on their spiritual journey.
But in His time, Jesus was widely recognized as a rabbi, a
religious teacher worth listening to. I
am not, and as a complete stranger walking up randomly to a group of young
people, I don’t expect them to value my opinion or listen just because I quote
from the Bible or claim to speak from the Lord.
I tried to begin where they are at, in order to see if there might be
some basic spiritual beliefs to build upon or compare the Gospel to.
I don't see a discussion of non-Christian beliefs and culture
necessarily as a means of conveying scriptural truth, but more as a way of
engaging in conversation and winning a hearing. Can we really expect disinterested
people to listen to us as Christians if we show no effort or desire to listen
to them? My knowledge of cultural and worldly issues and ability to speak to
the questions of unbelievers shows my willingness to listen, and usually
results in their willingness to listen to the Gospel in return. In this case, I believe I simply ran out of
time, but I could tell the process of self-refection these young people went
through to formulate their answers was extremely valuable, even if I didn’t
give them all the answers I’d like for them to have.
Thank you, Annabel, Mabel, Maliah, and Max, for allowing me
to record a part of your spiritual journey!
Our conversation can be seen HERE.
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