A Pagan and A Christian Talk

The 2024 Tucson Festival of Books was an amazing event! This was the second year that I attended, and the number of vendors and the crowds of visitors amazed me both years. This year, my Tucson writing group had a booth space at the event, where we could promote our group and sell books that members had published. There were so many people who stopped by the booth to see what Word Weavers Southeast Arizona was all about!

Mitch

One visitor who stopped at our table I've nicknamed Mitch (no, that's not his real name!). When I told him about our group he said, "Oh you're a Christian group? I'm a pagan, and I believe in many gods." Mitch said this in such a conversational way, he could have just as easily been commenting on the weather. 

I looked at Mitch and told him, "I believe in God. I know that God created you, and He loves you." He was wearing sunglasses, so it wasn’t easy to judge his reaction. But he didn't respond for a few moments.

Mitch stuck around, and we continued talking. He told me that as a pagan, he honors one particular deity that he would be afraid to encounter in a dark alley. I asked why he would say that, and he replied, "Because people may have died after I called upon her in the past." That was a heavy statement! 

Our talk moved from the spiritual realm to religious history and (my favorite!) archaeology. I found out that Mitch was a biologist and extremely educated - in fact, he was a retired professor. His studies had given him the opportunity to travel throughout the Middle East. Mitch told me he had visited a city where Christians were first noted in the historical record. "Wait," I disagreed, "The Bible says that Antioch was where believers were first called Christians." 

Mitch leaned in and replied, "Well, that was from the Bible. That isn't the only source for history."

I told Mitch that there is overwhelming support for the Bible that is found in archaeology. 

“But the Bible makes many historical claims that do not have evidence,” he objected.

“Yes, but many of the claims have been proven accurate as more evidence is found by archaeologists.” I explained. “And not having evidence is not proof against something - the evidence is just waiting to be rediscovered.”

Mitch looked at me like a teacher might look at a student who asks all the wrong questions. I figured if he got tired of talking with me, he would just end the conversation and walk away. But he didn’t.

Altogether, we must have talked for at about fifteen minutes. Mitch told me several times that he always asks questions about everything. I agreed that it's great to ask questions. “But don't stop there. Ask the questions, and then look for the answers.”

The Art of Disagreement

Having a conversation with someone you disagree with is a lost art form. It can be uncomfortable, especially if someone feels the need to be defensive. A disagreement can often become aggressive, if a person feels like they need to convince the other why they are right.

Don’t be afraid to have conversations - it’s okay to disagree! The point of the conversation is not to convince the other person of something. It is enough just to know that there are other worldviews out there.

Mitch didn't change my mind on anything. And I doubt I changed his mind with what I said. When we parted ways, I thanked him for stopping and talking with me – and I meant it. 

Seeking

It’s not up to me to convince anyone with a great speech. I don’t need to get a megaphone and shout at someone what I think they’re doing wrong. That’s not my job!

Here’s what I do believe: When we seek God, we will find Him!

God promises that He will be found by us when we actively look for Him. In Jeremiah 29:13-14 God tells us, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord.

If Mitch keeps asking questions, and honestly looking for answers, then God has promised that He will show up and provide those answers.