Question: I have a friend who is a Muslim. Some new workers at our business are from India. They are Buddhists. My question is: how can I talk to them about Christianity without being pushy? Your Muslim friend, if he is typical, talks easily and frequently about Allah. Do not be afraid to discuss Allah (their title for God) with them. They hold the Scriptures to include the Old and New Testaments plus the Koran. They believe in the same God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as we do. At the same time they have traditions that will be new and perhaps strange to you. Ask them about their beliefs and practices. Show an interest in them. Learn about their religion.

Buddhists believe in many gods. Their religion will be considerably different from Christianity. They may be shy and less apt to initiate religious conversations, but they will welcome a pleasant conversationalist who wants to know about them, their customs and their religion. Get acquainted and enjoy learning from them.

In the course of conversation you will be given an opportunity to talk about Jesus. (Please focus on Him and not religious practices when possible.) You might highlight the uniqueness of Christianity:

• Christianity is the only religion that believes God clothed Himself in a human body, Jesus, and came looking for us.
• God loved us so much He was willing to die for our sins and grant us forgiveness.
• We respond to God’s offer of loving friendship, not by human effort, but by trusting in what Jesus did for us.
• God provides us with the assurance that we are right with Him.