Christians . . . the telemarketers of Religion?

At Bible study on Wednesday one of the young men in attendance made a comment that I found . . . intriguing. We were discussing why, as Christians, we can so easily turn people off. Why it is that their high school life is plagued with the reality that their friends look at them sideways when they mention that they are headed to Bible study or youth group. This young man's response . . . "It is because we are the telemarketers of the world, people hear us mention it, and they want to hang up." Interesting . . .

For a while we talked about where that mindset came from, What it meant for us as Christians and if it was possible to change it. I was encouraged by their view on it. But the comment still left me thinking. I don't have too much more to say on the topic really, it's just something I have been thinking about since he said it. Is that really how the world views us? and who do I need to be so that I am different? That's the goal right that we would be different but in an appealing, want to know about it kind of way.

In some ways it was a profound thought to me . . . in some ways a depressing one and in lots of ways one that made me want to be different, different from the world and different form the Christian Stereotype the world has. Again, it was just something that made me think. I thought I'd share it with you.