The other day I started thinking about what would have happened if I had stopped looking critically at Christianity after reading those articles that first made me question the Bible’s legitimacy. What if I had turned from them and decided to never look at anything else that might cause me to doubt my faith? If I had, I’m sure I’d still be a Christian today.
But would that really be good enough? Obviously, the things my faith were built upon weren’t solid enough to withstand scrutiny. So if I had maintained faith only by refusing to investigate my reasons, would that kind of faith be pleasing to God? I think that’s a question believers should consider. If that level of faith is good enough, we’re essentially saying, “oh, if only you hadn’t taken your faith so seriously!” But that seems crazy.
The alternative is that my faith might have been good enough until the day I ran across things that made me doubt. At that point, the only way to remain pleasing to God would be to investigate the claims and come out the other side with a stronger faith. Of course, that’s not how it worked out for me. If God’s real and Christianity’s true, then I think this view makes the most sense. However, it causes problems for those Christians who have refused to look at any evidence that might call their beliefs into question. I’ve had several tell me that they won’t read anything an atheist has written, or don’t want me to point out the passages that I found problematic because they don’t want to lose their faith. How does that make sense? If their faith is worth keeping — if it’s true — then further investigation should only support their beliefs, not call them into question.
I’m not trying to pick on Christians here, we can all be guilty of this from time to time. It’s essentially an extreme case of confirmation bias — one in which we realize we’re being biased and we even think of it as a good thing. In fact, it’s extremely dangerous, and if we feel ourselves thinking along those lines, it should be a red flag. What’s wrong with our current position if we have to hide from information in order to keep it?
And in the end, I’m glad I didn’t stop looking. The journey out wasn’t easy, but I feel like things make so much more sense with my current worldview. Even if I’m still wrong, I’m closer to the truth than I was before, because I’ve learned new information and corrected some past misunderstandings. That can only be a good thing.
Finding Truth 
I dont think it was so much that you misunderstood as it was that i wasnt as clear as I could have been.
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arch, 4 u
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nate, could you be a super duper nice guy and moderate that comment please?
I promised arch Kathy updates, I thought this one might be one he could sink his teeth into.
that would be swell.
p.s. I beat resident evil 5
i loved that game
you truly are one of the most civil human beings on the interent…
I bet jeezzuuuusss misses you a lot.
still, he has other friends,
he’ll be o.k.
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Now what is it exactly that I’m supposed to sink my fangs into? And if Kathy, will it give me rabies?
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Thanks 🙂
That’s cool about Resident Evil 5. I haven’t played a Resident Evil game in forever… maybe I should check one out again soon. Right now, I’m playing the Walking Dead Season 2. I think they’re great games, though the play control is very unique. And the graphics look much more like a graphic novel than a typical video game, which is weird at first, but I’ve come to like it.
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Thanks, I needed that!
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I was considering getting walking dead season 1, it looks very cool and different and it got good ratings.
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Yeah, I really enjoyed it. Great price too!
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SPG, do you like comics / graphic novels too?
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well, yeah! anything with pictures. I like to look at things, rather than read.
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I was working on a graphic novel myself,
rabid rabbits at a catholic church easter egg hunt.
heavy on the gore.
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Then if you get a chance, check out this one. It’s written by Robert Kirkman, the same guy who writes The Walking Dead, and it’s the best superhero comic I’ve ever read. There are 9 of these collections out right now. It’s really well written and has great art. I think you’d like it.
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I love the walking dead and chris hardwicks show so I’ve seen and heard about him.
thanks for the tips.
I don’t know about you, but
i’m so happy the holidays are over so I can focus on real life.
lol. 🙂
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It’s the first time I’ve been on your blog and I am only left wondering if you have every studies formal logic or any formal reasoning?
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Hi Wendy,
Thanks for the comment. No, I’ve never formally studied logic. I guess the closest I came was an intro to philosophy class my freshmen year of college. My degrees are actually in business management and information systems. But religion (Christianity in particular) has always been really important to me, and for many years, I was a Bible class teacher and occasional preacher. In 2010, I started on my own little informal “seminary-style” study, which eventually led me away from Christianity.
Anyway, thanks for stopping by, and feel free to comment here any time! 🙂
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Btw Paul, I like your comic idea 😉
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Logic is a dangerous thing…
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Since I have opened this “Pandora’s” box of study, here is one I’m struggling with: Why had God gone silent?
For all of the jewish people’s history God was very active/vocal with them, up to the point of Christ. Prophets, miracles, even speaking directly to folks, why now this 2000 year silence?
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Actually, God “went silent” a couple hundred years before Jesus.
It was during this period that the intertestamental/apocalyptic writers took over … and developed many of the beliefs/doctrines that are common in today’s churches — hell and satan in particular, but other beliefs as well.
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because god had some people write a series of letters and books on his behalf, and after other men compiled select letters and books, god doesnt need to exert all that energy speaking to his beloved creation face to face or even with his own voice.
he loves us so much, but we just arent worthy to hear the voice of deified perfection.
seems like I was told something along those lines.
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even “Pharisee” is aramaic for “persian.” I suspect it’s becuase of their heavily persian influence when it comes their stance on judaism.
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Its crazy, it really is. I know for the most part this is preaching to the choir if you will, as there are very few christians that read or respond here. Please excuse me as I am in the process of challanging beliefs I’ve held all my life; sometimes I just need a place to say (type) them out loud.
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we’ve all been there – or most of us. It can be hard waking up out of the matrix.
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Yeah, you’re always welcome here, Matt. 🙂
It’s a great question — if God communicated directly to people at some point in the past, why would he ever move away from that to a written communication (especially at a time when so few people could read) that’s limited to specific languages, and not preserve the originals in some way? Because the communication isn’t two-way, there’s no way to receive clarification or explanation, which results in a tremendous number of different sects, all of which are confident their way is the best.
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William, I’m not sure that Pharisee really does come from “Persian”. Check this out:
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=pharisee
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