Dialogue one
Can I ask you a question?
Sure, what is it?
Do you believe in God?
Yes, I do, but I don't go to church any more.
Why not?
I was raised catholic. But around the time I got confirmed I realized that I didn't believe there was a hell. or the pulpit could make decisions for Catholics.
So what religions do you follow now?
I guess I am not really religious anymore because I don't follow one particular faith. But I am spiritual, I believe a life after death. How about you?
I don't believe in God. I think that once we die, that's the end.
Why don't you believe in God?
I was raised Jewish, but I never really understood. I didn't see the point of going to a synagogue, and preying to God in a language that I did not understand.
Did you study Hebrew then?
Yes, everyone in my family speaks Hebrew. It's part of who we are.
So would you call yourself a heathenist?
Yes, but not in front of my parents. They would never forgive me for it.
I think that fewer people of our age are religiously as devout as our parents are.
I agree. I just tend to agree with scientific explanation, rather than theological ones. I need proof in order to understand things.
Dialogue two
Did you hear about the documentary that's going to be on TV this weekend?
Which one is that?
It's a documentary about Jesus' tomb. Apparently they found the tomb and his bones.
But I thought Jesus was resurrected after death.
That's what Christians' belief. They are quite upset about this documentary. They think that the discovery channel is plain to make them foolish.
When did they find his tomb?
Apprently they found it in 1980, so it's fairly reason.
That sounds like quite a scandal.
We should watch it. Did you know that other religions like Islam and Judaism mentioned Jesus in their faith?
Really? So they are all connected.
Yes, they just don't think it's as powerful and important as Christian's belief.
That's fascinating.
Most religions have similar ideas. Many of them are common sense. That's why I believe in God but not in one religion.
I've never thought about it like that before.
Nothing could shake my faith in God.
We are very different people, aren't we?
I've been an atheist over my adult life.