The phrase/idiom "to have a come to Jesus meeting"

[DynamoKev]

Prompted by something else.

www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=come+to+jesus&r=f

I had never heard this phrase, but others were dismissively asserting that it's commonly understood - so unscientific survey time -

YABU - I have heard this/understand it/use it
YANBU - I have not heard thsi before

I have heard it and think of it as a bit more common in America, rather in the sense that all is made clear, nothing is held back etc. rather like people being swayed at an evangelical rally.
A similar one is used in teaching sometimes: the "The Sunshine Moment", when trying to convey to wayward pupil that they have probably pushed their luck a bit too far. The last-ditch attempt at a pep talk begins, "Now look here, Sunshine......"

@DynamoKev

Isn't it a bit disrespectful to Christians though?

People seem to think nothing of exclaiming 'Jesus!' and 'Christ!' etc whenever they feel like it so I doubt this will be criticised.

I'm not so keen on the importation of American phrases though and this one makes my toes curl ever so slightly.

US pisstake of Christianity I presume.

No I had no idea what it was trying to convey in that thread title beyond crisis meeting.

I've heard "Come to Jesus moment" many times. Never heard "Come to a Jesus meeting"

Never heard of it before this post!

Yep heard it lots in work context

@Justcallmebebes

I've heard "Come to Jesus moment" many times. Never heard "Come to a Jesus meeting"

Yes. Never heard of a Come to Jesus meeting. Have heard of a "moment".

Never heard of it.

I'd assume it was an invitation to an evangelical church service where happy clappy people try to "save" you.

Apparently not.

@DynamoKev

Isn't it a bit disrespectful to Christians though?

Christians are the ones I've heard use it. I suppose it may have leaked out to more secular usage.

Have heard before but was never sure exactly what it meant.

It would be considered very politically incorrect in my workplace (a high proportion of people from non-Christian cultures) so although we’re otherwise prone to gung-ho management bollocks this one has passed me by.

Never heard of it before this thread.

@bridgetreilly

Yes, it's disrespectful to Christians, but so is a LOT of everyday English. Every time someone says 'Jesus' or 'Jesus Christ' or 'for Pete's sake', for example, it's disrespectful to Christians. Generally, most people don't seem to mind being disrespectful to Christians.

I do agree. Not to mention adding swear words to it: "Jesus F*ing Christ! Or Holy f*king Christ!, etc.

Though I'm not Christian but I agree it's free for all when people are being disrespectful in that way to Christians but wouldn't dare to that to Muslims.

@StrangerHereMyself

Have heard before but was never sure exactly what it meant.

It would be considered very politically incorrect in my workplace (a high proportion of people from non-Christian cultures) so although we’re otherwise prone to gung-ho management bollocks this one has passed me by.

Yeah - I though I'd heard all of these gung-ho management bollocks sayings too (I once had to ask what the fuck a "drains up" meeting was supposed to be), but this one has also passed me by.

I do end to notice these things though - maybe they just pass other people by and they don't think about them.

Does it come from the addictions movements? And the churches that helped people quit and turn their lives around ?

I have never heard of it and, having now read the meaning from the OP's link, would never use it in that context. I just don't like the sound of it. What's the point in having to look up the meaning of a phrase and learn what if means when there are phrases already in use that describe a situation perfectly well?

I don’t feel it’s particularly offensive to Christians, but would never in a million years tell a Hindu colleague that we were going to be called in for a CTJ meeting.

I've also heard people say they had a come to Jesus moment just like an "aha! moment", usually to do with realising a mistake or something they never thought about which then enabled them to fix things or do better. In that way, it was like they finally went to Jesus in prayer and received guidance for something they couldn't quite figure out.

I have heard and do use it, but I'm American. It's used quite frequently there. I live in the uk and don't hear anyone hear using the phrase.

I think it’s similar to “prepare to meet your maker” - ie, you are in big trouble/you’re dead meat. It’s not meant literally as in you’re dying!

It seemed to be a laying down the law scenario?!
So it made no sense to me tbh.

In workplaces do people mean the boss tears a strip off the team?

I had never heard of it and couldn't see how it applied in the context of the other thread, I imagined it would mean, let's sit down and pray about this problem that we both have, but clearly not.
Don't see how 'for Pete's sake' is offensive to christians? I'd have thought it was explicitly avoiding blasphemy?

I think it’s sacrilegious to people who are Christians. I can’t imagine other faiths accepting that usage.

Is it a football boot throwing occasion?

@Calmandmeasured1

I have never heard of it and, having now read the meaning from the OP's link, would never use it in that context. I just don't like the sound of it. What's the point in having to look up the meaning of a phrase and learn what if means when there are phrases already in use that describe a situation perfectly well?

If you knew the meaning, you wouldn't need to look it up. Other phrases do require some who've never heard of them to look them up at first before they start using them. Is that really how phrases work or become popular?

I've never personally used these phrases though, including the "aha! moment" but I know and understand them if used, usually through context at first.