I’m not convinced we can ever be “wholly ourselves,” because I think we are influenced by people around us — our friends and family, you know? Can you honestly say you are the same person you’d be without knowing certain people, or having certain experiences? While I think there is much truth in not being chained to an institutional belief, I also think that we are influenced by anything we experience (Ann Rayn?), true? But, to what extent we allow people to influence us — who and what we give ourselves over to — I think that’s totally within our will and ability and responsibility.

Good post. Glad you’re writing again!

Just imagine how many unnecessary conflicts could be avoided by just a willingness to share our ideas, and actually take the time to consider them… instead of just being shut out.

i am really hesitant to write those words, because I know that faith has brought great comfort and solace to many, its just my experience with faith in a christian conception is that i try to make myself feel something that i dont…

i found the observations in the 1st paragraph very relevant

I spent 20+ years actively involved in christianity as a worship leader and activist for the faith. The past 7 or so years I continued a deep search for truth in my belief system, and while there are many truths in the bible, my personal discovery was that there are too many holes in that belief system. And add to that, the many other religions out there adhere to a similar set of beliefs in that their god is the only god, and their way is the only way to god.

To be completely honest, I just do not find any use or need for christianity or any of its rituals. I am not angry at the church, or any person (except in the case of people following blindly without question, which you don’t seem to be)… nor am I just a back slider, or simply fallen away from the faith. I walked away intentionally and purposely, and have no intention of ever walking back.

I agree with you that we can only present our ideas (you say belief) and allow others time and space to make their own decisions. Our only tool is persuasion, but without the other person having their mind actively engaged… there can be no discussion, i.e., many people I know hear that I no longer believe in their god, and they either get angry, or simply choose to not communicate with me any longer. They have not allowed themselves to think outside of what they currently believe. That’s the scary thing to me, that people can allow belief to control them so intensely.

Anyhow, thanks again for sharing your thoughts, and I wish you well in your journeys. I hope that you always keep your heart and mind open as you seem to be already doing.
–paul

Interesting post. I happened to be rolling around the various blogs and stumbled on yours.

I am a person of (sometimes not enough) faith, and maybe it’s because of my age or the length of time I’ve had the belief – but I’m not offended, angered, or shaken by differing viewpoints.

A lot of new believers *in anything* are excited about their newfound belief. This is great, but the downside of it is that they want to share that with those around them. Sometimes forcibly.

No matter what your belief is – whether Christianity, atheism, buddhism, whatever – the best credit you can do to your belief system is to be a good human.

Do I think it’s important for people to believe as I do? Of course I do. Everyone holds that kind of urgency based on their beliefs.

Ultimately, we can only present the belief as we see it and allow the other person time and space to make their own decisions. Not to pressure them, bury them with data, or make them feel like an inferior decision maker if their conclusions are different from ours. So the takeaway? To use an old saw, we have two ears and one mouth for a reason. Listen to each other a lot, say a little, and be a good human.

Sorry to soapbox on your blog… That’ll teach you to allow comments.