The French Atheist Still Wanted Jesus on the Cross

I took Elise to church this past Sunday. Mostly because she had never been to church before, except for a wedding or two. And she was soon returning to France, so I wanted to be sure to include this visit in her small tour of America.

I wrote earlier about some perceptions this French teenager has of America. I don’t entirely understand her view of American religious life, but here’s what I observed.

We pulled into the parking lot of the church I chose for her to experience. “It’s so modern!” Her country’s churches, as you can probably guess, look more like the Notre Dame of her famous city. “It’s so big!” Yes, I did take her to one of the largest churches in this small town, but by no means is it what Americans would consider a megachurch.
Then we escorted the children to their respective Sunday School classes. She was surprised at the gaiety of the rooms, colorfully decorated and with plentiful activities. As we walked the halls, we passed a large rack filled with bread and other food items, part of the church’s Food Pantry Ministry for the poor or homeless. She was shocked to see food displayed inside a church. Some sort of violation of these sacred halls, maybe?

“Is there a concert today?” she asked, as we entered the sanctuary with worship in session. She saw a stage set up with a band and several singers, and the quality of the music was so outstanding, she thought it must be a performance. Kudos to the worship band at this church, it was amazing.

Elise nudged me again. “Where is the Christ on the Cross?” she wanted to know. I pointed to the large wooden cross on the wall. “But the Christ?” I’m so used to being in Protestant churches it took me a moment to understand what she was saying. I told her that Jesus rose from the grave after three days, so He was no longer on the cross.

Then came the laughter. The preacher was telling jokes, and the entire congregation was laughing out loud. This totally shocked her. I had to explain to her why it was funny, and in my opinion completely appropriate, for the pastor to joke about an old, unmarried lady at a conference, who, upon being asked her life verse, gave the scripture about “If any man would come after Me, let him.”

“This does not seem religious,” she stated firmly. I just can’t believe this is religious - over and over again this was the confusion in her head. Exactly!! It’s not religious, it’s faith, relationship, fellowship…

Why in the world would a young French girl who considers herself an atheist even care about any of these things? Every one of her comments or observations thus far had come from a critical place - not against church, really, but the fact that this church was different from what she knew in France. I concluded several things. First, it’s human nature to be critical of anything new, unknown, or different. It’s funny, because even with her incredibly limited church experience, she still knew enough from her culture and society to know that this American church was strange and unfamiliar.

I also concluded something about her unbelief in God. Having not given me an exact reason for why she doesn’t believe, I assumed a few motives. France has a very high rate of folks who report they are either atheist, agnostic, or simply don’t believe in God. Somewhere between 47% and 54%, depending on what study you examine. Compare that to an unbelief rate of just 3% to 9% in the U.S.A. Thanks in huge part to the French Revolution and the following rise to power of the Jacobins. There followed the Reign of Terror, in which more aggressive atheists sought to de-Christianize France. Religion was replaced with reason, and much of this influence remains today.

Elise is very in tune with French culture and society, and probably just accepts atheism as a normal way of thinking. She says her father is an atheist, but her mother believes in God. Her family does not practice any religion and does not encourage her to do so. “They wish me to choose what I want,” she explained. She doesn’t have any Christian friends, except her best friend’s mother. And this woman, from what Elise described to me, is involved in the occult. Moving glasses around the table, calling up spirits…this is the only person (other than her mother) Elise could tell me about that she knew and considered to be a Christian. I begged Elise to steer clear of that activity.

Some French paradoxes emerged as I continued discussions with Elise. She does not believe in God, but does believe in angels (”Just one person could not have created the world, but perhaps many angels”). She does not believe in biblical prophesy, but does believe that some guy on a French radio talk show can tell people’s future. She does not believe that it’s healthy for children to be taught that there is a God, but she wants children to believe in the tradition of Santa Claus.

So, this French atheist wants the crucifix displayed in church, maybe because that is her norm. She has been enculturated with being “normal,” which makes sense for a socialist, secular country.

Oh, but she was really, really impressed with the free buffet of snacks and drinks available to all after the church service. “I might go to church in France if it was like this,” she announced in between bites of delicious cake, and I half think that would be the case. And you know what? I’m certain the Holy Spirit was/is at work, drawing her to Himself. The following morning, my radio happened to be on, tuned into the local Christian station. “Everyday” (It’s You I’ll live for) from Hillsong Australia came on, which we had just sung in church. Elise recognized the song, and later told me she liked the song, and wondered where she might find it. Hmmm, interesting. As the pastor said at the end of the service, “It is no coincidence you are here today.” Perhaps concerts and free food will convert the French.