I love doing this in class. . . . “So, are R-rated movies evil?” . . . . “Is secular music evil?”. . . . . . . “how much of hanging out with the wrong crowd is being a light in a dark world  compared to following into their ways?” —- why do I love to do this??? because. . . . . . it helps students see how RIDICULOUS these types of yes/no questions are – there are not black and white answers, there is soooooo much gray.  In fact there is an actual term in speech theory to define this mistake – “the either/or fallacy”. Once they get that. . . . we discuss how those that are unchurched often think that those in the church have clear cut, black/white answers for everything – without thinking about them too much or wavering on them (or else you would not be strong Christian right?!) – thus, since they, as a non-christian still want to talk about it, try and figure it out, and discuss the gray issues – they feel completely unwelcome. . . . . . I have heard many of them tell me – well, I guess church is not for me then. . . , because I don’t have this one (sex, stem cell research, abortion, homosexuality, etc…) figured out yet – I’m interested, but no one in there (i.e., the church) ever talks about these things. . . . things I really want to figure out. . .

I tell my students all the time. . . . . you have limited opportunities in your life to influence people, so you MUST prepare for them. Take time to learn, discuss, be aware of the details of these issues like the differences between stem research from fetuses compared to nonfetus stem cell research. . . . why?? Because when someone comes to you. . . a supposed “Christian” . . . to discuss these things, how you feel about it. . . you will have two options. . . (1). Sorry, I really don’t know much about that – I think it is wrong, but. . . . WRONG ANSWER!!! – the conversation dies, because you have no knowledge of the details, and likely they will not be coming back again. . . . . or. . . . (2) Yeah, this is a difficult issue to wrestle with isn’t it – let’s talk about some of the details that are out there and see what we can figure out. . . . YES!!!!

Have a great day everybody!