What Religion Are You?

In many parts of the world you can tell a person’s religion by the clothes they wear.

A Common Question

Where I have been traveling and ministering lately, it is very common for people to ask, “what religion are you?”  It is a question of genuine interest.  It is a question meant to lead to a religious conversation.

At first, I was surprised by this openness to discuss matters of such significance as God and our proper relationship to Him.  I have enjoyed a number of these conversations, from a wide range of belief systems.

But I also learned very quickly that this seeming openness turns out so often to be nothing more than a front for an opportunity to promote one’s own obscure religious sect with it’s smiling heavy-set guru.

An Uncommon Question

In the USA one of the quickest and surest ways to offend someone is to ask him or her, “what religion are you?”  And in our present cultural climate there is a high likelihood that you will be talking with a “none,” so the answer is going to be boring or undefined spiritual nonsense.

We might be afraid to ask because we expect closed responses.  We expect offense, anger or disgust that we would dare touch on such a personal and potentially politically-charged subject.

But I have found that such closed responses are very thin.  People are often closed but open.  They are waiting for you and me to ask one or two more questions, and then they will be glad to enter a discussion.

Push Through to the Openness

So, might we find ways to ask the question, “what religion are you?” and find the openness that is behind the closed-ness?

People want to relax and discuss.  We need not fear or take offense at people’s initial responses.  We are not promoters of some man-made religion that will make people feel better about themselves.

We enjoy honest dialogue and the opportunity to show how Jesus Christ brings meaning, order and happiness to all aspects of our personal lives and our life together in community.