Then there is this one. “The Church has made a mess of thing. I want no part of religion.” Or, “Look at all the wars that have been fought over God; what kind of a God is that.” All at once organized religion and God are lumped together as one. These theological issues have been with us through the centuries; volumes written; arguments made; thesis nailed to church doors; heretics tortured and killed. Part of me says that I ought to work up a few succinct responses. But another voice says that there is little point in countering someone’s definition of God with my experience of God. We can’t have a discussion if we’re operating out of different paradigms.
Ah, that gives me an idea. Maybe here’s my response: “ That may be the way you define God; I experience God differently.” If that ends the conversation, so be it. If it opened up a conversation, I’ll just know that God is working in God’s mysterious ways.