By Dr. Bernard E Johnson

I’ve been thinking about in-flight conversations. I spend a fair amount of time traveling for my work. I meet very interesting people on almost every flight. The life and work stories of my fellow travelers have become unanticipated gifts in the strenuous world of business travel.

My in-flight conversations often take an interesting turn when people discover that I am an ordained minister. Occasionally that information makes my seatmate a little uncomfortable. Sometimes it ends the conversation. More often the conversation moves to somewhat deeper subjects.

I keep a journal of these and other conversations. I was looking back through my notes from recent months and began to see a pattern of topics and questions discussed at 30,000 feet. I am not sure what they mean but it is at least interesting to note the patterns of frequently asked questions.

So here, in no particular order, are the top 10 questions from 30,000 feet:

1. Does the current economic crisis have spiritual roots? It is interesting to listen as people reflect on matters of unrestrained greed, dishonesty and deception even among friends (a la Madoff) and the fiscal misbehavior that has sacrificed integrity and long-term reliability for short-term gains and unsustainable business practices. In other words, are we experiencing a moral meltdown?

2. Will the Catholic Church survive the sex abuse scandals? People of all faiths as well as those of no particular faith seem drawn to the all-too-frequent news stories that have emerged over the past several years. Opinions abound. The lurid details have a strange attraction for people from all walks of life. For some it is a reason to trust no religious leader.

3. Why are so few people truly happy? It is amazing how often the subject of happiness and contentment comes up. Sometimes it is related to the fatigue and strain business people are under these days. Other times it comes from an almost epidemic loneliness that leaks out in conversations. One very successful man spoke of moving around the country and up the ladders of success only to be living in a mansion in a place he does not like with a wife and family who have no friends!

4. Can we ever be secure again in a post 9/11 world? From political viewpoints to deeply spiritual questions, people are wondering about whether the world can ever be the same as it was. Of course the simple answer is “no.” But that is too simplistic an answer. The deeper question is about what we are trusting to provide us with security.

5. Is the conflict in the Middle East leading to Armageddon? Now there’s a question for you! Very often, the persons who pose this question have just finished reading a book that carefully connects every current event to a prophet in the Hebrew Scriptures or the New Testament. What makes this question more compelling today is the spate of non-religious periodicals from The Wall Street Journal to various newsmagazines that have entertained this question.

6. Whatever happened to civility? More than a few people seem troubled by the coarseness of our culture. Many people experience an increasing rudeness in the public square. People are behaving badly in almost every sector, including churches. Teachers will tell you about outrageous behavior that must be tolerated when years ago it would mean expulsion. Is there any hope for civility in a “me first” culture?

7. Is there really a heaven and hell? Funny how this question lurks in the minds of people regardless of whether they are religious. People ask me what the Bible really teaches about heaven and hell. It is a question worth asking.

8. Why do bad things happen to good people? This is an enduring
question. There is a deep desire to think there is a reason for everything that happens in life. If that is true, what can possibly be the reason for bad things happening to good people? If God is fair, why do good things happen to bad people? For some people these dilemmas lead to the conclusion that life is chaos and there is no rhyme or reason to it all.

9. Are all religions equal? More often than not, this question comes in the form of a statement something like, “All religions are the same when you dig deeply enough.” I find that sincere people do not want to be small-minded on this matter. At the same time there are deeply committed followers of almost every religion who believe theirs is the superior way.

10. What do you think about abortion? Now here is a question that can inflame almost any conversation. Sometimes people bring this up with me because I am a minister in a denomination that seems to be of two minds on this issue. Other times it is the political debate that troubles people. There have been more than a few opinions expressed on President Obama’s speech at Notre Dame. No matter how you slice it, any viewpoint on this issue will infuriate someone.

The one thing that unifies all these questions is that they touch the spiritual dimension of life. Somewhere in each of the questions lies a hint of a universal desire to be at peace and coherent in the depths of our soul. These questions are larger than life itself and for that reason they deserve searching thought. At the very least, when we struggle or are in touch with deep or even imponderable questions, we are moving close to God. That alone is a good thing.

Dr. Bernard E. Johnson shares this space with the Revs. Timothy A. Johnson, Michael Miller and Rod Anderson as well as spiritual writer Lauren Carlson-Vohs. “Spiritually Speaking” appears weekly.