In a recent Barna survey, adults in the US were asked why they don't more often about their faith. Here's a summary of what they found:
People who don’t talk very often about faith offer different reasons, but most of these fall into two broad categories: avoidance and ambivalence. For instance, the two avoidant responses (among the top four) given for not engaging in conversations are: “Religious conversations always seem to create tension or arguments” (28%) and “I’m put off by how religion has been politicized” (17%). The other two responses indicate ambivalence: “I’m not religious and don’t care about these kinds of topics” (23%) and “I don’t feel like I know enough to talk about religious or spiritual topics” (17%). Here’s the full list of options:
- Religious conversations always seem to create tension or arguments: 28%
- I’m not religious and don’t care about these kinds of topics: 23%
- I’m put off by how religion has been politicized: 17%
- I don’t feel like I know enough to talk about religious or spiritual topics: 17%
- I don’t want to be known as a religious person: 7%
- I don’t know how to talk about religious or spiritual topics without sounding weird: 6%
- I’m afraid people will see me as a fanatic or extremist: 5%
- I’m embarrassed by the way religious language has been used in popular culture: 5%
- I’ve been hurt by religious conversations in the past: 4%
- Religious language and jargon feels cheesy or outdated: 4%
This survey interviewed people of both religious (and irreligious) backgrounds, so the answers are reflective even of the opinions of Christians. What about you? Are you ambivalent about sharing the gospel of Jesus and talking about your faith in Him? Are do you seek to avoid it because of what it has led to in the past or might lead to in the future? In I Peter 3:15, Christ calls us to set Him apart as Lord in our hearts (this eradicates ambivalence reasons), and to be ready at all times to give an answer for the hope that is in us, with gentleness and respect (this knocks the legs out from under avoidance reasons). We must be bold and tender, direct and wise, initiating and responsive. Pray the Lord would give you open doors and an open mouth to speak about your love for the one who loved you and gave Himself up for you on the cross!