Another difference between religion is a relationship with Jesus is that we are people who are creating dialogue instead of discussion. Lenard Sweet in his book, "Nudge" talks about how religion causes people to be in discussions or debates with others. Our conversations with people who believe differently than we do are usually discussions about who is right and who is wrong. We of course believe God is on our side, so and we are trying to convince others we are right and therefore they are wrong. People who are living out a relationship with God can have dialogue with other people where we are able to hear another persons story and be in a mutual sharing mode. Lenard Sweet suggest that our most effective evangelism comes from 9 parts listening and 1 part speaking.
I friend told me recently that he was going to start patterning his prayer life like a Muslim. He was going to pray 5 times a day to Jesus like a Muslim prays 5 times a day to Allah. I'm not sure that came from a conversation with a Muslim, but I am sure that has the attitude of a dialogue and not a discussion.
What about your approach to interacting with people who believe differently than you. Are you in a dialogue with them or a debate? Can you see the connection of religion and relationship?
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Good thoughts Dale. Honestly, I'm not sure how I interact with others when opportunities present themselves. What I do know about myself is that I more and more desire unity amoungst churches of different denominations. Not in changing each other to a point where all "agree" on all things, but instead come to a point where we focus on THE FACT that we all love and serve the same Jesus who died(and raised from the dead) for everyone of us.
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