# Why do people talk about Jesus so much? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 6, 2014, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-talk-about-jesus-so-much/690173 "2014-06-06T03:19:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Incubus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c68b51/32.png) [@Incubus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Incubus)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-talk-about-jesus-so-much/690173/1 "2014-06-06T03:19:46Z")
This may be selection bias as a product of people-on-the-bus, but something I noticed is how much people talk about Jesus in everyday conversations. I live in an area that is extremely diverse, not known for religious fundamentalism, yet I’d say the majority of mundane conversations people have is about God, Jesus, Gospels, etc. I’m not religious but I don’t have a problem with people who are. I have some friends that are religious but they are very respective of my own beliefs and don’t try to act shocked/confused/angry that I don’t believe in God. They have their thing, I have mine. Similarly, I don’t spend much, if any time talking with people in person about how I personally don’t believe God exists, its all people making stuff up, etc. However, I do notice a certain subset of people that insert it into every aspect of a conversation. Today I had a guy get on the bus telling me he’s recently become homeless, and was wondering about local homeless shelters/safe places to sleep for the night. I gave him advice on local shelters and rules. The guy seemed extremely chipper for a person with no home and only a garbage bag full of personal posessions. During the conversation, the guy literally said “God is Good” just about every other sentence: “Yeah, so I’ve recently become homess. Know of any shelters in the area? God is good! You came at a perfect time, God is good. You know, I don’t believe in luck, I belive its God doing things for us, God is good” I don’t know what this guy’s deal was, but I guess it was a little offputting to me that he was so resigned to the idea of God doing all this to him. Maybe that’s his way of coping? I have a lot of passengers who suffer from mental illness, and my wife mentioned to me once its not uncommon for some mentally ill people to be very religious. If they experience visual or auditory hallucinations, the idea of God/Jesus/etc talking to them becomes very real. A lot of these folks have had run ins with the law, screwed up family lives, etc and I wonder if all the chaos and unpleasantness in their existence makes it much easier to accept its all happening due to an outside force. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-talk-about-jesus-so-much/690173/2 "2014-06-06T03:44:19Z")
I have to admit I don’t notice this. And I’m not a believer so I’d think I’d notice if people were routinely injected religion into everyday conversations. ---
**Author:** ![jabiru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bbce88/32.png) [@jabiru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jabiru)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-talk-about-jesus-so-much/690173/3 "2014-06-06T04:14:08Z")
I live in Australia. We’re a bunch of heathens so I don’t get assailed by the Jesus talk at all. ---
**Author:** ![Blackberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecd19e/32.png) [@Blackberry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackberry)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-talk-about-jesus-so-much/690173/4 "2014-06-06T04:40:13Z")
Of the two worst people I know, both do this. I don’t mean to say that good people don’t do it too, because that’s not the case either, but I’d say it really has no correlation at all with even attempting to be a decent human being. They either think it makes them look pious to others or they prefer very low-effort ways to reap God’s blessings. Probably both. And then sometimes it’s just filler. Some people say “um” every sentence; some say “God is good”. They’ve never really examined their faith but they take it as a given that it’s a good thing and they probably assume whoever they’re talking to agrees, so why not mention it a lot? Those people are generally not bad people but might not be too bright. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-talk-about-jesus-so-much/690173/5 "2014-06-06T04:50:36Z")
Southern California has this much in common with Australia, I guess. (Also, thank you for the eucalyptus trees. I love them ol’ gums!) Seriously, I don’t hear much Jesus talk at all. Yes, there are Bible Radio stations, with nonstop Jesus, and I do listen to those a little. (I do so miss Harold Camping!) But in ordinary life, it just doesn’t come up much. I had dinner tonight with a minister-in-training, and even there, although we talked some about the Bible, Jesus’ name never quite dropped into the conversation. (We were mostly talking about Angels.) Even very devout Christians tend to talk more about God than about Jesus. Jesus essentially came and went (and came again. And went again, and hasn’t come again.) Jesus did his thing, and it’s done. Americans don’t talk a lot about George Washington, even though he was probably the most important American of them all. What’s to say? ---
**Author:** ![Incubus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c68b51/32.png) [@Incubus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Incubus)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-talk-about-jesus-so-much/690173/6 "2014-06-06T05:24:53Z")
Its probably a ‘people on the bus’ thing then. I know it doesn’t come up outside of work, and even my religious coworkers don’t bring it up much either. I guess it wouldn’t be so irritating if there were at least some balance. What about Allah and Vishnu and Zeus? Didn’t they help you deal with being homeless? Why just settle on Jesus? ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-talk-about-jesus-so-much/690173/7 "2014-06-06T05:35:00Z")
Maybe it’s just where you’re from? Around here it’s sports. (Not that I mind, since I’m a sports fan) ---
**Author:** ![Incubus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c68b51/32.png) [@Incubus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Incubus)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-talk-about-jesus-so-much/690173/8 "2014-06-06T05:42:21Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Maybe it’s just where you’re from? Around here it’s sports. (Not that I mind, since I’m a sports fan) I don’t even consider myself being in a super relgious area (Silicon Valley, CA). I’m pretty sure it has to do with the type of passengers I have at work. I dont mind people talking about sports, the weather, what have you. Its just funny how frequently this type of exchange happens: “I’m so happy I’m so into Jesus” “Really? that’s awesome because I’m _totally_ into Jesus! How about you Bus Driver?” _all the homeless people look at me intently_ “I, uhh, well, they say you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink. That’s a philosophy I go by” “wow that’s so smart!” _whew_ ---
**Author:** ![Weedy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/weedy/32/301_2.png) [@Weedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weedy)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-talk-about-jesus-so-much/690173/9 "2014-06-06T06:44:58Z")
It doesn’t happen very often, but every now and then someone will drop God into the conversation in this casual way that startles me. Usually about something that is a problem they are having and how God is going to help them. Like “Yeah, I’m looking for a job. I’m sure God will send something my way soon.” I never know what to say in response. ---
**Author:** ![Rodgers01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b19c9b/32.png) [@Rodgers01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodgers01)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-talk-about-jesus-so-much/690173/10 "2014-06-06T06:45:47Z")
I haven’t encountered this either. I’m guessing it’s a people on the bus thing, or a homeless thing, since it seems like a lot of the people you’re talking about are down on their luck? ---
**Author:** ![Beelzebubba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Beelzebubba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beelzebubba)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-talk-about-jesus-so-much/690173/11 "2014-06-06T11:38:48Z")
Aren’t these people supposed to be leaving soon anyway??? I always hear them say that Jesus will be returning soon…you’d think they’d be busy packing or something, right? I am both amazed and amused that they continue to tout the imminent return of Jesus…you’d think after two millenia they’d get the hint! He isn’t going to show because he’s just NOT that into you! ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-talk-about-jesus-so-much/690173/12 "2014-06-06T12:09:43Z")
The kids wanted to visit a new local frozen yogurt restaurant. It was a beautiful warm afternoon so why not. We filled our cups from a selection of flavours, added topping and sat down to enjoy it. It was pretty good. Half way through my bowl I looked up to find a sign above the service counter, “SweetFROG: Fully Rely On God.” Turned my stomach, it did. We had a laugh about it but we won’t be back. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-talk-about-jesus-so-much/690173/13 "2014-06-06T12:17:03Z")
> [@jabiru](#): > > I live in Australia. We’re a bunch of heathens so I don’t get assailed by the Jesus talk at all. Yeah most times I hear him mentioned it’s his full name with\*\* fucking\*\* in the middle. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-talk-about-jesus-so-much/690173/14 "2014-06-06T12:23:01Z")
A lot of the more demonstrative Xian denominations are concentrated in the lower socio-economic groups. i.e. “Opiate of the masses” and all that. And those are also the folks who’re concentrated on public transportation. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-talk-about-jesus-so-much/690173/15 "2014-06-06T12:53:45Z")
Huh? Not around here. No God or Jesus talk at all unless somebody sneezes, “God Bless You” God or Jesus being brought up a lot would drive me nuts. ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-talk-about-jesus-so-much/690173/16 "2014-06-06T13:11:12Z")
Apparently people who ride buses are more religious than the general population. Whenever I’m asked what church I go to, I say “I’m home-churched.” ---
**Author:** ![Elemenopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b5e925/32.png) [@Elemenopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elemenopy)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-talk-about-jesus-so-much/690173/17 "2014-06-06T13:27:43Z")
> [@Knowed\_Out](#): > > Apparently people who ride buses are more religious than the general population. I’ve had the urge to pray, too, when required to ride the bus in certain places. I haven’t run into too many of these quasi-religious injections, except with people who are somewhat manic, or AA-goers. A nutty former friend of mine was both, and would do this. She was not what I would call religious in the usual senses. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-talk-about-jesus-so-much/690173/18 "2014-06-06T13:29:06Z")
> [@Knowed\_Out](#): > > Whenever I’m asked what church I go to, I say “I’m home-churched.” Not me, I go to the mountains. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-talk-about-jesus-so-much/690173/19 "2014-06-06T13:29:42Z")
I imagine that if you’re homeless, religion is the only thing you have that makes you feel relatable to other people. You can’t necessarily talk about other things, because you don’t have those other things. And being homeless (and/or mentally ill) is a very lonely, isolating experience, so you feel compelled to talk and reach out to just about everyone, including the bus driver who has no other choice but to listen to you. Also, a homeless person may feel that talking about Jesus makes them seem less scary, less crazy. It’s a way of advertising their goodness, a way to say, “Please don’t hate me for not being the cleanest, tidiest person in the world. Cuz I’m your brother or sister in Christ!” I so totally get this, even though I can’t stand Jesus talk. I think being homeless (or at least marginalized by the confluence of mental illness+addiction+poverty) is one of the toughest experiences to endure. Jesus talk is a coping mechanism. An annoying one, but less harmful than other coping mechanisms, I suppose. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-talk-about-jesus-so-much/690173/20 "2014-06-06T14:08:27Z")
Agree with monstro. People riding the bus in suburban CA are almost definitionally marginalized. If their lives weren’t fucked up, they would have a car. Your question is really “why do homeless, mentally ill, illegally present, and very poor individuals talk about Jesus so much?” The answer is, Jesus promised their next life wouldn’t be quite so shitty. Also, people who are less than 100% there, think it makes them seem unthreatening (though this is rarely true in practice) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-talk-about-jesus-so-much/690173.md?page=2)