A forgettable mid-week muse. I'm tired of arguments for and against God, because all they do is create more argument. Now, as for reasoning about God? That's a different kettle of fish. You and I can prove nothing. NOTHING. There will always be an alternative interpretation, and however improbable it may be, it is still a finite possibility. All we can do is look at the evidence for ourselves (that's the important bit) and come to a conclusion. And if we're honest enough, and courageous enough, we'll live by that conclusion. If we're honest enough and courageous enough, we'll ask ourselves "could I be wrong?" That's very scary. That's not nice. That's something I'd rather not do. Because maybe I'll have to admit I'm wrong. We re-evaluate other things all the time ... jobs, love, and our dislike for broccoli. So why not re-evaluate our understanding of Life? Re-evaluate all the time. Examine our reasoning. Because if we're wrong that could be of eternal consequence (or not, as your view determines). At the very least it would change how we relate with each other. (This is another of those Christian distinctives that set it apart, Christianity encourages you to question the reasonableness of your faith.) The Dawkins culture of "new atheism" with the unthinking aggressive Christians of this generation have fostered a battle to overcome an opposing position - a haughty arrogance that polarizes. New Atheism says religion should be countered ... which is taking a position on what's right and wrong! Yet "new atheism" not only says there is no God, but in doing so paradoxically claims that there is no absolute right and wrong. At the opposite end we have the religious "dogma Christian" who says "I have exclusive knowledge of truth" and ignores that truth is in relationship, not imposition. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot -- both feet actually! (We're "Hungry for outrage") What most of this generation is lacking is an honest discussion of the evidence - a brain engagement with apologetics (which is not about giving an apology!) A willingness to change position based on evidence. Of course, I obviously think that you're wrong and I am right (how could I not, without lying to myself). But that should not break our relationship if we both honestly desire to find Truth (or truth if you think the T is not warranted). I know that some ideas I hold to are certain to be erroneous - I just haven't realized what they are yet. Likewise you too definitely have some wrong beliefs that you've yet to recognize. If it were not so we'd be claiming perfection. G.B. Shaw and G.K. Chesterton thought each other to be completely wrong, even wrote books about how each other were wrong, but stayed the best of friends. So where, oh where, do we find today's place for such discussion?
0 Comments
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
Why?
Probably the best therapy is to express yourself. Why do you think psychiatrists make you lie on the couch and talk, while all they do is murmur "hmmm", "uhuh", or "go on"? Archives
May 2017
|