Thanks for the comment. We definitely appreciate having you as a listener!

It’s very interesting to dialogue with people, especially if they are open to discussion. I’ve had a few experiences where I was confronted with some odd ideas by someone a little less receptive. We typically ended up agreeing to disagree and to pray for one another.

The best thing that I have found is to tell the person that, while you may not see things exactly equal, that you can still pray for them and to ask them to pray for you. At least, that’s one of the best ways that I use in my own conversations with others.

Anyway, glad to listen finally. I, too, find that talking about religion is best handled with charity and love. I’ve encountered a few vitriolic, ignorant people who have said very wrong things. My inclination is correct swiftly, but I have found that saying something like, “many people feel that way but the truth is…” and making the correction briefly, but firmly. Like Steve, I actually welcome the dialogue and if I can, counter with a gentle myth about their faith, just to get some discussion going.

When we moved here, though, the family across the street, members of a faith down here in the south famous for detesting Catholics, asked us where we worshipped, and responded to our answer by collectively taking a step backward. I kid you not. If it wasn’t so hysterically funny, I’d have my feeling hurt, but there you have it. After that reaction, very little can be said to offend me.