by Steve Risner
“With the end of the Cold War and the proliferation of the Internet, the authority of the Christian God is slipping at an accelerated rate, and yes, that has to be scary to those who have been browbeaten to believe in the deity without question.”
Statements such as this make me sad for a couple of reasons. The misconception is quite frequently that people of faith are forced into it or are brainwashed. They're “browbeaten” and are made to submit or face some sort of punishment. This sort of imagery is brought about by authors like Steven King or in movies. Sure, there are those crazy, off the wall “religious” folks that have a screw loose that force their beliefs on someone else. But this isn't the norm. In fact, this is extremely rare. One of the interesting things with this sort of story is that, quite frequently anyway, the person forced to submit to the whims of the belief system generally reject it whole heartedly. This is also often the case in Christian homes where the parents are either completely faking their faith or are over the top. They actually know very little about the faith they claim to live, or they are too lazy to actually live it out. Their kids either will see the fake lives their parents are living and reject it, or they will be told what to think with things like, “Don't ask about that!” or “That's just what we believe” or other similar statements. The parent doesn't know how or why, so they can't answer the tough questions their children may have. In this case, because there is no real foundation for their beliefs, the result is a weak faith that is easily toppled. I always encourage parents to help the children know HOW to think rather than just telling them WHAT they're supposed to think.
If people knew how to process information and were capable of making good decisions based on the information they're presented with, I feel the Christian Church as a whole would be in much better health today. It would likely also not have the reputation it has today as well. If Christians were theologians (which, by they way, every last one of us is called to be as a follower of Christ) and really knew the Word of God and really spent time with Him in prayer and really lived a life sacrificed to their Creator, Christianity would begin to look like the Bride of Christ rather than having the reputation of a bunch of curmudgeons who hate everything they don't like or don't agree with.
As I wrote in my blog post from a few weeks ago, an excellent quote by a man who was not a Christian but understood more about it than most of us is, “Of all religions, the Christian is without doubt the one which should inspire tolerance most, although up to now the Christians have been the most intolerant of all men.” Christians boycott, we picket, we march, we get angry, and we do all these things I'm not sure Christ would participate in rather than loving people and showing them who Jesus is. I'm not saying all these things are always bad, but I'm saying I'm not sure they're always right either.
I feel that “religion” is something that feeds this “brainwashed” idea. God is not interested in religion so much as He's interested in you and me. He wants to relate with us—have a relationship with us. Your heart is in a relationship. It's not in ceremonies and rituals. It's not in the robotic refrain or the emotionless response of a congregation. Religion itself, I believe, has resulted in the loss of faith of more people than anything else. This goes along with the “fake faith” we talked about. I suppose a more accurate statement would be to say that the faith of many of us is in the wrong thing. Jesus Christ should be the sole object of our faith. It's not supposed to be in saying the right things at the right time. It's not about doing something to earn anything. It's not about rules and regulations and “Say this 100 times” sort of things. Your faith should be in nothing but Jesus Christ. Not institutions, practices, chants, or other persons. Jesus only. Anything else is a misplaced faith and will result in your heart not being involved. Again, our children will see this—the lack of love for God and a life of earning grace which is a contradiction in and of itself—and will turn from it. Humans, I think, are religion hungry. We want to do something in order to deserve reward. That's all wrong. This is man's attempt at filling the hole that is in the heart of every human being. This hole can only be filled with a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ, but we want to DO something. You can't do a single thing to gain salvation. The work has already been done. You just need to accept it. Seek Jesus more and more every day and learn all you can about Him. Allow Him to live His life through you. THAT, my friends, is the Christian life.
I think the impression given to the world when we are “religious” is that we've sort of bought into this Christian thing with our minds but not our hearts. This is really a fake faith, or at the very least a misplaced faith, and gives the appearance of being brainwashed. The funny thing is that these people who are doing this are actually the opposite of brainwashed. They don't accept everything without question but actually don't accept it to any real legitimate degree at all. I would go so far as to say they're living a lie. This lie is that God wants your rituals and ceremonies. He needs you to be part of a special group or say the right things at the right time.
This is not what God wants according to Scripture.
Jesus mentioned a different passage from the Old Testament and even stated the “righteous” were not who He was after. The righteous were the Jews that believed their rituals and merit gained them salvation.
I say all this to warn against the lure of religion. It has a tendency to turn us cold towards God. I cannot even estimate how many I've known during my life who were raised in a home filled with religion who are now atheists or at the very least agnostics. This is because they never met the God they or their parents made-believe they were following. Religion doesn't find the face of God. A relationship with Him can do that, however. I believe this “Catholic atheist” who has provided me with this great many statements is a prime example of religion turning a man into an unbeliever. “I looked at Christianity. Tried it for years. It's not real. There is no God.” This is sad to me and so very common.
The other thing this atheist says is that Christians, after being “browbeaten,” are taught not to question. That's nonsense. I encourage questions. I encourage seeking out answers to the tough things life throws at us. Skeptics ask questions. Atheists aren't really skeptics. They don't care what the truth is. They only want to not believe in God. It makes them feel safe living life as they want to rather than truly living with a life in Christ.
But the atheist believes without question. He believes there is no evidence for God. He believes this after being presented with that evidence. He will explain away anything that is an obvious contradiction to his claim. Quite often, the atheist will actually put forth his origins myth as though it actually were the evidence-based belief system. He'll say completely absurd things to support his religion of humanism—holding up the Big Bang and all its evolutionary subcategories (molecular evolution, stellar and planetary evolution, etc.) and Darwinism—trying to make it appear that his stance is based in logic and reason and supported with the facts. Essentially, he'll dance around with smoke and mirrors so as not to expose his religion as a religion. But his religion is actually contrary to the facts and is illogical and self-defeating.
The faith of the Christian is not blind. We can confidently say that our faith is supported by the facts. For some, it's because of the facts that they believe! Our faith is not contrary to any known factual data. It's not superstition - that's atheism. Atheism is in spite of the facts, while Christianity can confidently stand on the facts.
To touch on the first portion of his statement, see my writing from
last week. He believes the “authority of the Christian God is slipping.” This is simply not true. Christianity is thriving all over the world and is actually alive and well right here in the West. Don't be fooled into thinking our little part of the planet is the entire planet. We represent a very tiny portion of it.
If you're unclear as to what any of this means, please feel free to ask a question in the comments. God bless and thanks for reading.
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10 comments:
"With the end of the Cold War and the proliferation of the Internet, the authority of the Christian God is slipping at an accelerated rate, and yes, that has to be scary to those who have been browbeaten to believe in the deity without question". Who made that statement? What was the context? Is it a real statement or something concocted by Christians? Your blog does not tell us. Or did you preceding posts (which I have only skimmed) give more information? Is it your 'high school friend' who made the comments?
I accept that this is not the main thrust of your post (which warns about fake religion where people may be just following rituals with question) but seems that your particular kind of more theological Christian faith depends rather a lot on demonising people who do not actively share it - because they are convinced that scientific evidence invalidates the Bible (especially Genesis) even if science cannot categorically rule out the existence of the 'supernatural'.
Whilst atheists or other non-Christians might stereotype Christians, you do the same towards 'atheists'. "Atheists aren't really skeptics. They don't care what the truth is."
cont'd
...
I suspect - since I am one of those who has interacted with this blogsite - that you hope to dismiss me too *(to other readers) as someone who does not care what the truth is (even though I used to be an active Christian but gradually lost faith in any loving God who became present in my particular life following acceptance of Christ and forgiveness offered by Christ).
People like you protest too much. Others reading the comments who are not already of your opinion will simply laugh in response. At comments like these:
"Quite often, the atheist will actually put forth his origins myth as though it actually were the evidence-based belief system. He'll say completely absurd things to support his religion of humanism—holding up the Big Bang and all its evolutionary subcategories (molecular evolution, stellar and planetary evolution, etc.) and Darwinism—trying to make it appear that his stance is based in logic and reason and supported with the facts. Essentially, he'll dance around with smoke and mirrors so as not to expose his religion as a religion. But his religion is actually contrary to the facts and is illogical and self-defeating."
"Atheism is in spite of the facts, while Christianity can confidently stand on the facts."
You allege that what science has discovered - it has theories which explain 'creation' naturalistically without invoking a necessary creator - is 'crazy'. But it's simply an allegation.
As it happens, while you may label me an 'atheist' I sometimes feel anger towards 'God'. Maybe he is real for some but chose to withhold his reality from me (and not just me). Unfair.
I'll get back to you, Ashley. I think there are a few comments on another blog post I haven't gotten to as well. My apologies. Hip deep in things right now.
But your comments seem like great ones to get into so I look forward to it.
Ashley
"Who made that statement? What was the context? Is it a real statement or something concocted by Christians? Your blog does not tell us. Or did you preceding posts (which I have only skimmed) give more information? Is it your 'high school friend' who made the comments?"---yes. This entire series of posts, which has been going on for some time now, is based on a conversation I had with an acquaintance from high school who is an atheist. I will not give out his name. In the introductory post, I did indicate that, when appropriate, I may rephrase his statements (not to make them mean something else but to make them either more easily understood or more in line with what I believe is commonly said by atheists) but they are certainly saying what he intended to my knowledge.
"..seems that your particular kind of more theological Christian faith depends rather a lot on demonising people who do not actively share it - because they are convinced that scientific evidence invalidates the Bible (especially Genesis) even if science cannot categorically rule out the existence of the 'supernatural'."---what a great statement!
My "theological" Christian faith is what I would call authentic and/or normal--whatever that means. It's based on the Bible. I don't demonize. I question people who compromise, but I don't demonize people. It's out of concern for the person and for those they may be influencing because the slippery slope from Christian to agnostic or atheist can be a fast one once we allow one religious view point (what you are likely thinking is science but is actually a religious faith) to have a more influential position on our lives and worldview than the Christian worldview. People who feel science invalidates the Bible fail to understand both, in my opinion. Science does not invalidate the Bible. How could it? Or, I suppose a great question for you would be how does it?
Of course "science" cannot invalidate the supernatural! How can a study of nature explain the supernatural?
In general, Ashley, atheists are not interested in the truth. They are interested in supporting their irrational beliefs. There are likely some who are sincere in their pursuit of truth, but they are few and far between. An honest inquisitor, I believe, can only make it down the path to accepting the Biblical account and the Gospel. Nothing else is actually consistent enough to put your faith in.
I don't "dismiss" you obviously because I engage with you in this forum.
"You allege that what science has discovered - it has theories which explain 'creation' naturalistically without invoking a necessary creator - is 'crazy'."--what has science discovered? Please be specific and please try, if you can, to not include your interpretation of the data but simply the discovery. "Science" has not under any circumstance explained the origin of the universe or the elements or stars or solar systems or life at all. There are stories that have been generated to "explain" such things but they're impossible stories of make believe. It is crazy to think that nothing turned into something--in fact, everything. It's crazy to believe that the laws of physics would allow for the increases in order and the creation of systems that we see all over the universe and especially in living things. It's crazy to try to explain biogenesis without a Creator--especially since every experiment concerning it has further supported the notion that life from non-life cannot happen. That's because life is far more than chemicals doing what they do. Life, in fact, is intelligence making chemistry do things it would not normally do. So it only makes sense and is supported by observation, that life cannot be generated outside of a miracle or from another living thing. It's crazy to believe that the human brain is a collection of lucky, random mistakes. These random, lucky mistakes have created a computer man has yet to rival in all his wisdom and technology. I've written blog posts on that if you care to take a look.
http://worldviewwarriors.blogspot.com/2014/04/brain.html
Steve
I would be interested to know whether you approve of the nastiness here:
https://stormbringer005.blogspot.co.uk/2017/02/snowflakes-burning-with-hate.html
Sorensen is a perfect example of 'Christian' hatred and lying. He has an especially strong hatred for me. Because I expose his internet lies elsewhere on the internet and that is an 'unforgivable sin':
http://forums.bcseweb.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=3153
In reply to your comments I have become MORE interested in truth since abandoning Christian belief.
In reply to your question about scientific discoveries I suspect that you know the discoveries I was alluding to.
Ashley
PS I've also sent an email (mostly about the daily lies of Trump) which is copied to Worldview Warriors.
Ashley
I will not comment on the actions or words of others. That's none of my business. I would warn you, though, that if you think there is such a thing as "Christian hatred and lying" you are sorely mistaken. Something to keep in mind: Christians are people. That means Christians make mistakes and sometimes don't reflect the love of Christ. I'm not suggesting this is the case in our reference. I am not interested in that. But if a Christian does something that is not Christ-like, it is an error to suggest it is because of the person's Christian faith they have done it. In other words, you can't blame Christ for mistakes His followers may make. We are all human--you and me, both. We cannot conduct ourselves perfectly. We are human. To suggest that a person's human behavior is because of the Christian faith is an erroneous statement. I think you know better than that.
You claim to be more interested in the truth after abandoning Christ. If you had a real relationship with Christ, you would see how this isn't even possible. But...good for you for seeking truth. It's strange to me that you reject anything that even hints at creationism or Christianity.
Discoveries: if I knew what discoveries you were talking about, I wouldn't have wasted my time asking what you're talking about.
I notice you didn't comment on the actual meat of my comments. The end of the last one is especially of interest.
Can you tell me why, specifically, you rejected Christianity?
Please don't run from the conversation on the Hyperactive Enlightenment post. It was just getting interesting.
I gradually lost faith after suffering a mental breakdown in 2004. (Before discovering how biblical Christians known as YECs make up their own claimed facts in order to 'show' that the Bible is infallible.)
You claim that Christian hatred and lying does not exist. And you have the gall to 'warn' me. But that is simply a false statement. You cannot speak for all Christians (or people claiming to be Christians and speaking in the name of Christianity) and all the things they have EVER said or claimed (I mean things not found in the Bible but invented by them). Also - many Christians voted for a pathological liar named Trump (even though by contrast Clinton rarely lied). Hardline religion (not just Christianity) has a reputation for dishonesty, cover-ups and cherry picking of facts. "To suggest that a person's human behavior is because of the Christian faith is an erroneous statement". No it is not. There are many causes of poor and/or dishonest behaviour by people. Fundamentalist Christian motivation is one of them (some fundamentalists are honest but I suspect that the majority - especially YECs apologists - are not).
When I said I am now more interested in truth than before I was being truthful - whether you like it or not. But bigots always accuse others of dishonesty or being delusional.
As for the other conversation, I will only comment further if you inform me (here) that you have commented further since my last brief response there (in which case I would check whether the new comment needs a response).
I was not suggesting that becoming a Christian requires someone to exhibit hatred and lying. Just that some online professing Christians (they may be real Christians) do exhibit those failings. And that their rigid beliefs can be the trigger.
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