Speaking about your faith

[illmatic]

I went to a mixed RCIA / learn more about Catholicism class ran at my Church. It was interesting enough for the most part. At the end though, there was a small group discussion about a couple of questions they had prepared. The table I was at mostly ran between an older woman and a girl about my age. The older woman was speaking with a tone of confiding in us about what it means to have faith or something like that. The girl my age ended near crying talking about how great a person Mother Teresa was. On the one hand, I was very aware of why I was there and what I was wanting to do. At the same time, I couldn’t help but feel really disdainful / out of step with the two of them.

I suppose it might be that I’m not used to speaking about faith except for defending my faith to angry atheist friends, but their dialogue struck me as missing the point and sort of over dramatic. On the one hand I felt that they were being genuine, but another part of me felt that they were going through the motions of a conversation about faith without any real substance being there, and I didn’t really want to join in with them speaking along those lines as it would’ve been contrived for me to do so.

I guess the question I’m wanting to ask is how do you speak to other Christians about your faith?

 

[thirdworld]

Hm yeah I’ve noticed that Christians can be kind of fake (in my opinion) when they’re talking about God and whatnot. Like they’re trying to one up each other…I have this much faith, you only have that much and some general overdramatic theatrics. I’ve noticed this most with Protestants–specifically Baptists and run of the mill Fundamentalists. I guess you should just be yourself and react the way you naturally would. If someone is acting a little fake or dramatic then ignore that and act “normal” (not sure how else to put it). Although I will say some people are just really emotional and enthusiastic especially when it comes to their religion so don’t assume everyone is being an actress.

 

[Tankjeep]

I guess the question I’m wanting to ask is how do you speak to other Christians about your faith?

i talk in as humble and as loving a tone as i can. and express my faith is in Jesus Christ. if someone wants to dominate the conversation, i just nod & smile and let it happen. i’ll interject where i see fit, but not in an accusatory or aggressive manner.

let those in the faith see how God’s love has transformed us. hope that makes sense.

 

[Frank956]

I think the O.P. maybe a bit over critical here. The older lady who you thought was being fake or trying to convey how pious she was, was more than likely just sharing something she felt overflowing. If anyone asks me about my religious views or my faith I often use language that is very heavy on emotional nuances as it is difficult to convey something spiritual and felt so deeply.

Another reason I would say you are being too over critical is because your take on someone speaking about their experience with faith and about lives lived in a saintly fashion may change over time. I remember hearing stories from people about their relationship with the Church, Jesus, and the community and rolling my eyes thinking they were drinking from the “kool-aid” …yea…that’s changed.

 

[Ashurie]

i talk in as humble and as loving a tone as i can. and express my faith is in Jesus Christ. if someone wants to dominate the conversation, i just nod & smile and let it happen. i’ll interject where i see fit, but not in an accusatory or aggressive manner.

let those in the faith see how God’s love has transformed us. hope that makes sense.

That’s what I am like…my Uncle is a atheist, and my mum is not as bad - she is a in between I suppose, but they hate religion and a fiery conversion started up last time I was with them. I just bit my tongue and didn’t say anything, I respect my uncle - he is a intelligent man I give him that…but I did get upset with the conversation. THIS was last year, when my curiosity of becoming Catholic began.

 

[Joannm]

It sounds as if the OP has never really been involved in faith sharing. Defending your faith is very different than sharing one’s faith. In faith sharing, you “tell your story” so to speak and this helps and encourages other people to deepen their own faith. It is not “one-uping” the other person. I have had some wonderful faith experiences and I often share them honestly and sometimes passionately either individually or in a group. I love listening to how God works in other people’s lives as well. This type of dynamic comes from the heart not the head, as would defending the faith. Both are needed, but maybe not at the same time. Sharing faith stories is wonderful…that is how the Gospels were written.

 

[joandarc2008]

One thing to remember is that a faith journey is also a conversion process it isn’t something you get overnight - so when you have mixed groups you have people at different points on their journey and the stories will sound different in their tone because the point on their journey of conversion is different. (And I get the award for longest run on sentence )

 

[Ashurie]

One thing to remember is that a faith journey is also a conversion process it isn’t something you get overnight - so when you have mixed groups you have people at different points on their journey and the stories will sound different in their tone because the point on their journey of conversion is different. (And I get the award for longest run on sentence )

I couldn’t agree with you anymore~

 

[puzzleannie]

I went to a mixed RCIA / learn more about Catholicism class ran at my Church. It was interesting enough for the most part. At the end though, there was a small group discussion about a couple of questions they had prepared.
. . .I guess the question I’m wanting to ask is how do you speak to other Christians about your faith?

in such a small group format the essential thing is first that what is said here stays here, to respect confidentiality, and that every member feel safe in sharing to the extent they feel comfortable about the issue under discussion. It is inappropriate to bring up totally unrelated personal details but if they are introduced the other members should just let it pass without comment and wait for the facilitator to privately remind the other member of what does and does not belong in this type of sharing. If the members are going to be judgemental about what is said by others in the group, the purpose and benefit of the sharing will be lost. ask the facilitator to take time to instruct you and all the members on what is, and is not “faith sharing” in this context, since it sounds as if that instruction has been lacking.