What is preaching to the choir?

The phrase "preaching to the choir" refers to trying to convince people of something they already believe in or agree with. It suggests that the effort to persuade or inform is unnecessary because the audience is already knowledgeable or supportive of the topic or viewpoint being discussed.

The origin of the phrase is quite literal and comes from the idea of a preacher delivering a sermon to the church choir, who would typically be among the most regular churchgoers and staunch believers. As such, they would already be well-versed in, or firmly adherent to, the tenets of the faith being preached.

In modern usage, the phrase is often employed in contexts beyond religion, typically in political, social, or activist discussions. It implies that the speaker should direct their efforts toward people who are undecided or opposing, rather than reinforcing a message to those who are already in agreement. This can sometimes be seen as inefficient or redundant if the goal is to effect change or to broaden understanding of an issue.

Overall, "preaching to the choir" serves as a reminder to consider the audience's existing beliefs and to focus energy on outreach that might lead to new conversions or awareness rather than reinforcing existing consensus.