Osler's Razor

For me, it's not the fear of being attacked that makes me hesitant to share my beliefs. It's the fear of rejection. To me, my faith is the most precious thing I own. It defines me, guides me, and motivates me. It's everything to me.

So when I offer someone a copy of the Book of Mormon or invite them to church or to read my blog or to discuss religion, I am offering the Best I have. And it's painful when they say no because I could never give anything better to anyone, ever. Not even if I were the richest man alive.

And it's hard when people treat what I hold most dear as if it were garbage.

That's what makes me hesitate.
 

indeed. there is that fear of being attacked. i wouldn't mind a good faith discussion, where perhaps in the end, reasonable minds can disagree on certain things, but agree on others.

but i don't see an upside to getting involved in a conversation where it seems that the other side is only looking to get in zingers.

@craig:

fascinating. i'll read your blog after this.
 

I think your explanation of insecurity is the most apt, or a fear of reflection and introspection in general. The easiest way to maintain a belief (any belief) is to not examine it. To hold it out of habit and nothing else. Even when you nominally agree with the belief you are asking your interlocutor to examine, there is the fear there that by subjecting it to examination said person will find that they do not really have any reason for the belief.

As I matured in my own religious belief, I found that the more I researched and studied religion and theology, the less and less "certain" about anything I became. I now have an almost pathological aversion to certainty. I wonder if my constant seeking has created a "comfort" zone for me in cheerful uncertainty, and I am afraid to indulge faith, or certain belief without certainty.

On the other hand, I certainly don't fear being attacked for my agnosticism (or perceived atheism). I actually enjoy religious discussions, but I am not sure if I can rationally say that there are arguments for faith that would sway me from my uncertainty.
 

Ultimately my former religion and now lack thereof can be summed up with the following: you can't make yourself believe in something if it doesn't add up to you. I used to try to rationalize, argue, discuss, and really test the limits of my belief with other people, and ultimately I came to the realization that I wasn't buying my own arguments. I was always hesitant to discuss my faith because, as I later figured out, I didn't really believe it. I think part of it was fear of someone discovering it or fear of accusations about who knows what. Either way, I still enjoy discussing religion in a calm, non-attacking manner.
 

Kouji,

I look forward to you reading my blog.

-Craig
 

It seems to me that faith is like a sea wall, and beyond it the depths of the ocean. When I speak to a Christian (protestant or otherwise) we are at least swimming in the same water, and generally we try to approach life from the perspective Christ taught us. To discuss Christianity with a non-Christian is like arguing with someone standing on the dock: jumping into this ocean is scary and it makes no sense until you experience it.

I hesitate to discuss my belief, and the details of how I choose to observe and celebrate my faith because I have belonged to two of the most misunderstood groups of Christians in my life (although Craig may have me beat! and oftentimes I simply do not feel up to a full defense of my church against sometimes very real, but more often misinformed criticism. I would simply rather live the best life I can, and be left alone.

The important crux, however, is that I possess a gift that should not be hidden away selfishly. When He calls me to profess, I must, and I try to. For, even though (and most especially when) we suffer in His name, we are doubly blessed!
 

The way I see it, "Faith" in a system--any system--despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary is hardly the point of pride that so many (especially at Baylor) make it out to be; we should all remember that the atrocities of 9/11 were perpetrated by men of nothing short of perfect faith.

All other areas of society have admitted of progress during the last couple millennia; however, it is only "organized" religion in which Bronze Age ideas have persisted into modernity.

Just as I would reject the prescription of a doctor who believed--consistent with Bronze Age understanding--that spitting on a wound would heal it, so too do I soundly reject the basis of Biblical infallibility.

But that's just me.
 

jaded:

You need to watch the two Southpark episodes called "Go God Go" and "Go God Go XII." You can find them here:

http://www.southparkstudios.com/guide/index.php?season=10

First, they're hilarious and worth watching just for that purpose. But, more importantly, I think they do a good job of pointing out the problem with the logic of at least one of the arguments you make.
 

jade-

I think another of your arguments is probably suspect too...

http://www.scientificblogging.com/
news_releases/
histatin_why_licking_your_wounds_actually_works
 

Ginger Hunter,

Your analogy is what many people in the christian community seem to believe and I think it is a fallacy. It talks about non-christians like we're some sort of leper. Many people who are non-christian are people who once were christians and, like Justin said, can no longer buy their own arguments. I considered myself very religious for a long time and at one point I stepped back and looked at what I believed and it didn't make sense anymore.

An "us" and "them" mentality is rarely the best way of looking at things.
 

I just get tired of people assuming that because I'm Christian, I must hold a number of certain beliefs. Besides the obvious ones I mean - but to explain for the thirteenth time that yes, I am a Christian and no, that doesn't mean I think the Bible is infallible and no, I don't think homosexuality is a sin... it's like I'm from a different planet. And frankly, I get the weirdest looks from other Christians, not non-Christians.

From the non-Christians, I usually get the demand to "look at it from a logical point of view", which annoys me - I am doing just that. And no, I don't want to hear about how other, older religions "came up" with something first. I've done my research. I know. I've had doubts, but I chose differently.

I have no "us" versus "them" mentality... just a "here we go again" one.
 

raindog: A person licking his or her OWN wounds is hardly the same as having another spit upon the same.
 

Dear Anon,

I don't think that I implied that those who do not follow the teachings of Christ are "lepers", please reread my post. I was merely speaking about my experience in speaking about my faith with those who share its fundamentals, versus speaking about it with those who either do not know, understand or reject these beliefs. It is difficult to come to common ground when you disagree on major principles. This does not mean that we should not try!

But to address the Us vs. Them comment, I suppose you yourself are acknowledging the dividing line between accepting a belief and rejecting it (for lack of proof, or lack of faith in it), I am afraid that it is a division line between people, although Christ taught us to cross that line, not hide on one side or the other. Division and reconciliation is at the heart of Christianity, accepting, believing and most importantly living the way Christ teaches us to is what divides us from sin, and reconciles us to a perfect God from whom we have been divided. If you believe this, then you believe that divisions exist. If you do not, then you may see this belief as a hinderance to communal harmony, or a way of establishing a pecking order (as religions are sometimes used to do, unfortunately).

In your defense, I do agree that when we approach someone whose faith differs from our own (belief in God, or belief in the good of man, or rejection of belief, etc.) it rarely is productive to fall behind the old battle lines of "us" and "them". Jesus did not approach sinners this way (sinners = everybody) whether they were the elect clergy of the church, or prostitutes ready to be stoned by an angry crowd. He approached (as we should) others with love and wisdom. Yet, Jesus also told His disciples to be aware that they are ultimately not of this world, and warned against compromising the truth to belong.

Of course, no one ever said His way was easy, just that His yoke is light. And I would much rather speak to someone like you, Anon, who has questioned your faith, than someone who blindly follows without any true conviction.
 

jade-
L-i-g-h-t-e-n
U-p
B-u-d-d-y-!

Osler way to throw the Christians to the Lions!! I dont think atheists really care about my faith or lack thereof, and so why talk about it?

Everybody has faith in a system, (jade, im taking to you, buddy) "despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary" even if you just believe in the stock market, or teh US of A, the solar system...or LOVE, I haven't seen a lot of evidence for why any of that stuff works, or why it exists in the first place, but ya gotta have some faith.
 

Thought I'd toss my couple o' cents into the mix. "Faith" for one purpose is not "faith" for all purposes. Pretending that there is only a single definition of faith in conversations of this nature is disingenuous. Sure, a person might have "faith" that his car won't explode when he turns it on--but that's based on probability, primary observation, and other historical data. Religious "faith" is a different creature altogether that, in its most malignant form allows the "devout" to dismiss out-of-hand the natural sciences; medical and technological progress; and to ultimately reject ideas that are replicable reliable according to known scientific principles.
 

Maybe it depends on what historical data and scientific results you give weight to. I am Jewish and I see the Torah as a historical text of the struggles of my people, and a promise for each day to come...why does that make me wrong?

And certainly any faith can become malignant, I do not hear anyone here who does not acknowledge that. What is your point? These people are talking about why they do not share their faith with others, maybe the unbelievers are answering that question.