The Business Insider (Australian edition) asked, “Have you ever snuck off from work early? If you answered ‘No,’ you’re probably lying.” [1] Here are the top excuses people gave:
1. Pretending to be unwell — 68%.2. Having a doctor or dentist appointment — 57%.
3. Family member ill — 25%.
4. Avoiding bad weather and associated transport issues, such as snow — 23%.
5. Collecting children from school — 13%.
6. Being concerned about others at work catching my illness — 11%.
7. Broken boiler — 6%.
8. Taking a pet to the vet — 6%.
9. Family member or flatmate being locked out — 4%.
10. Going to vote — 2%.
Since these excuses were used in Australia, I had to wonder about people claiming they had to leave work early because of snow, but who am I to judge? Buzzfeed News regularly prints “bad excuses.” Here are some excuses High School student have used:
Once during my high school spirit week, it was “superhero” Thursday. I didn’t have a costume and didn’t have time to buy/ make one. I had a genius idea. I skipped school that day, and then on Friday, everyone was demanding a reason why I wasn’t at school, and my excuse was, “I was here; I just came as the Invisible Woman.”
I used the excuse that I missed the bus for months until the school caught on that I lived across the street. I could see my high school from my porch.
And finally, as a Batman fan, I liked this one:
I once signed out of school because I didn’t want to be there, and the excuse I put on the books was, “Gotham City needs me.”
I’ve been preaching for over 40 years, and I’ve heard my share of excuses from people for not attending. (I wonder what answers you would give these people? Write to me: John@JohnMcKeel.com. )
- “The church is full of hypocrites.” (Answer: “We always have room for one more,” or “If you are letting a hypocrite come between you and God, he’s closer than you are.”)
- “I’m against organized religion.” (“Perfect! We’re highly disorganized.”)
- Church people hate women/gays/divorced people/ethnic groups/interracial couples/insert group here. (“Ouch!” What would you say?)
- “I don’t believe in God.” (“That’s okay. God still believes in you.”)
- “Church people are too judgmental.”
- “I’m just not being fed.”
- “Ten years ago, someone at some church somewhere was really awful to me.”
- “I feel like I need to get right with God before I can come to church.” (“It’s not going to happen.”)
“Churches just want my money.” (“No. God wants all of you! The church can survive without your money (we’ve been around for 2,000 years), but you will be more likely to thrive if you’re willing to share it with others.” [2]
Jesus has heard enough excuses! (Do you remember the parable in Luke 14?) It’s time for honesty.
[1] Downloaded October 17, 2020, from https://www.businessinsider.com.au/the-most-common-excuses-people-use-to-get-out-of-work-early-2017-6
[2] Thanks to the www.doubtingbeliever.com for some of these answers.