Does "Christian talk" attract you or put you off?
By John Welford
@indexer (4852)
Leicester, England
November 2, 2015 5:23am CST
Research carried out by the Church of England has found that people are three times more likely to be repelled than attracted when colleagues and friends "talk God" to them.
They found that 59% of people do not "want to know more about Jesus" after a practising Christian has spoken to them about their faith. 30% feel more negative than before about Jesus after such a talk.
These figures do not surprise me.
There is a certain type of person who writes on social media sites (including MyLot) and cannot comment on anything without bringing God into it. It doesn't matter what the subject is - it can have absolutely nothing to do with religion - but they cannot pass up the opportunity to preach and give the "what Jesus would do" response.
It is good to know that my immediate reaction (of "for the love of Pete please put a sock in it") is shared by others!
Perhaps these people should take on board the fact that their efforts are more likely to turn people away from religion than towards it, and that they are doing more harm than good for their cause by constantly going on about it!
12 people like this
17 responses
@Bluedoll (16770)
• Canada
2 Nov 15
I will be fair and truthful.
To answer the question presented in the title sometimes it does if I'm not in the mood for reading and that can happen if I'm interested in topics other than religious ones. I just skip over to what my interest is. Sometimes I am attracted to God posts primarily because I believe in God to the fullest extent. This is what attracted me to this post.
The same can be said of God like posts that are atheist in persuasion. In fact atheists often take the lead in posting religious topics. Why don't atheists (put a sock over it)?
5 people like this
@boiboing (13147)
• Northampton, England
2 Nov 15
@indexer I think being Christian in the 21st century is like being gay - people don't mind what you believe in or how you live your life but they'd prefer not to be confronted with it all the time.
I will now run and hide under the desk as I've probably offended both sides - whilst a tiny number of gay Christians will be trying to decide which offends them more.
4 people like this
@Hatley (163772)
• Garden Grove, California
2 Nov 15
me too I believe in God but m y beliefs are my own not up fort discussion. My pltical beliefs are also not up for discussions either. Both these topoics get too many who
get ried up and angry : 'That I do not need. I res pecty other belilefs so please respect mine too.
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
2 Nov 15
If I dont want to read it, I pass it by and I certainly wouldnt stand there and be preached to.
It is an easy fix for me personally.
No one has to tell me about God or Jesus or Buddha or any number of deities.
I might add this includes all religious preaching, not just Christianity.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (86575)
• United States
2 Nov 15
I'd rather have someone show me their faith by living it than talking it.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (238273)
• Walnut Creek, California
3 Nov 15
@FourWalls I agree strongly with your statement.
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163772)
• Garden Grove, California
2 Nov 15
Yes Imn the same way and usually if you respond then you get lectured on theirs being the o nly true religion as if your feelings and your personal beliefs were garbage. I just will
go on by as I do not need that. I have my own beliefs and they belong to me not for sharing,not for discussing.There is a right timeand a right place for that.
2 people like this
@destry (2567)
• Kirkwall, Scotland
2 Nov 15
It is a turn off for me. As soon as I hear anyone talking about any deity, be it Christian, Judaic or Islamic or even the great pink and fluffy unicorn dancing on a rainbow - I loose all interest in the subject and in the person.
I do not follow any religion, and do not mind people having a religion and faith as long as they practice it in their own space and time.
2 people like this
@Hatley (163772)
• Garden Grove, California
2 Nov 15
HI@Destry but you just piqued my interest in the great pink and fluffy unicorn dancing on a rainbow. I never saw that one? Lol thanks for giving me my first laugh of the day as I got an image o f a great pink and fluffy unicorn dancing on a rainbow. he he lol lol
1 person likes this
@DanieGirl80587 (2724)
• United States
2 Nov 15
I have NOTHING against anyone's religion or their faith. You can choose to believe in whoever or whatever. I went to a Christian school as a kid and have my own beliefs about certain things, but do not EVER push your beliefs down my throat or say I am wrong in whatever I believe.
As the years pass, I have also noticed that so many "bible thumpers" are hypocrites anyway. Practice what you preach is all I can say.
@Beatburn (4286)
• Philippines
2 Nov 15
This post in a way talks about God and look at the conversation it has encouraged all those responses and comments. 
I don't mind reading posts about it once in a while but the moment I see a post littered with scripture, I get turned off.
I believe in God and I know when and where to talk about it, timing and location matters.
I don't mind reading posts about it once in a while but the moment I see a post littered with scripture, I get turned off.
I believe in God and I know when and where to talk about it, timing and location matters.1 person likes this
@Surinamstar27 (315)
• Mumbai, India
3 Nov 15
I too am repelled when people preach to me. But I read the Bible every now and then and I like the experience. I also do not need to change my religion.
@poehere (15123)
• French Polynesia
3 Nov 15
I don't talk about religion so it puts me off and normally I leave when this topic comes up.
@Pattitude (1286)
• Newton, North Carolina
13 Nov 15
I really hate when people flood facebook with all of that.
@Hatley (163772)
• Garden Grove, California
2 Nov 15
To me Religion and p olitics are personal. I h ve my own relegion and my own principles. i really do not want someone to preach at me and try to convince me that theirs is the o nly true religion . They just turn me off as that is not a topic I will write a bout or talk about. My religious preferences are mine and not open for debate.
My political feelings are personal and not open for discussions.
I get turned off when someone brings in God and Jesus in every topic. Enough already.Then I get reprimanded for who I voted for. Not open foir discussion.
@celticeagle (189792)
• Boise, Idaho
2 Nov 15
I can see back before the WWW when we didn't have access to everything. But now we do and I really do have to be a bit rude to folks who do as you describe. I can understand their excitement to spread their word to the masses. But, I do have a right to not listen. I am an agnostic and atheist for a reason and if they want to talk about their beliefs I will do the same.
@Drosophila (16568)
• Ireland
2 Nov 15
I think the real point of this post should be, "if you go on about ANYTHING repeatedly, it will piss people off".
I can't see my enthusiasm for footies grow just because someone keeps harping on about the upcoming matches! In fact, it's more likely to put me off footies & the person for life!
I did stop dating a guy, because all he had to go on about was football. Footie was not to blame! He was! His crime, a boring person to boot!
