Evangelicals Among Us

I had an opportunity last night to sit with 10 other women and discuss religion. It was a phenomenal group and I was extremely pleased with the energy and overall tone of acceptance. We all came with different backgrounds and experience that led us to our beliefs and understandings of not only religions but also our faiths. I have been thinking about it all morning.

I really enjoy situations like last night, where intelligent people can discover each other’s opinions and insights in an unthreatening manner. I was probably the most threatening person in the group, constantly asking for more information and prying into the personal beliefs of these women. No one seemed offended and no one told me to mind my own business, so I happily delved as far as possible.

The part I found most fascinating is they all held very strong beliefs. Even the women that don’t have religious beliefs held strongly to their point of view. No one, not one single woman in the group, claimed to be “right”. I thought this was incredible. I know that in our hearts we all believe ourselves to be right, why would we hold on to any idea that we were unsure about? But in this gathering of confident, articulate women, no one felt the need to force their ideas on anyone else.

Don’t get me wrong, there was some preaching, some definite ideas of how things should be done, but through it all, it really felt like the women understood that this subject is very personal. I guess that’s why so many people have a hard time talking about it.

We had a segue that specifically dealt with the idea of evangelizing to others. Some felt that it’s just inappropriate to try and sway people toward your point of view. I argued that maybe it’s not in the presentation of the information that is at fault, but on the receiving end. If you don’t want to hear it, kindly say so.

The questions become, is it evangelizing when you are telling people what you believe and why? Or is it in the tone that it is offered? Are you trying to persuade me with your ideas or simply sharing more about yourself? Is it only okay when you are specifically asked?

I think that when voicing our opinions we are always trying to persuade. It doesn’t mean that I should be offended. It doesn’t mean that I will change my point of view. I simply appreciate the opportunity to hear others thoughts and feeling about important subjects. I enjoy knowing how they got to that understanding or belief. I thank these women for sharing with me. I am richer today because of them.