The Question of Faith

I got into a bloggy discussion on Christian faith, and although I don’t suppose I strike out on any new ground, I thought it was a statement worth keeping to mark my relationship with religion at this point in my life. This is what I wrote:

I actually still struggle over whether to consider myself a Christian. Though, when I recently answered a jury summons, I filled out the religion question with 'none'. I ultimately based my answer on the fact that I don't go to church.

Perhaps the deeper reason that would be considered a disqualification is the fact that I am not comfortable with supernatural concepts.

It might be asked, why do I even flirt with the idea of Christianity? As uncomfortable as I am with supernatural concepts, I actually feel some emotional hunger for the idea of the divine and for a better world beyond the one we know. As for the thought-systems that seek to account for such a divine realm, nothing comes as close as Christianity to stirring some real feelings of possibility within me. I really like Christian literature, for instance. It somehow strikes a chord in me.

Moreover, even if it could be known without a doubt that there is no supernatural reality that transcends our known world, and that death is final and absolute without doubt, I wouldn't feel cheated for my interest in Christianity, because I think it also has a good idealistic philosophy of peace, equality, love, and hope.

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The Question of Faith

I got into a bloggy discussion on Christian faith, and although I don’t suppose I strike out on any new ground, I thought it was a statement worth keeping to mark my relationship with religion at this point in my life. This is what I wrote:

I actually still struggle over whether to consider myself a Christian. Though, when I recently answered a jury summons, I filled out the religion question with 'none'. I ultimately based my answer on the fact that I don't go to church.

Perhaps the deeper reason that would be considered a disqualification is the fact that I am not comfortable with supernatural concepts.

It might be asked, why do I even flirt with the idea of Christianity? As uncomfortable as I am with supernatural concepts, I actually feel some emotional hunger for the idea of the divine and for a better world beyond the one we know. As for the thought-systems that seek to account for such a divine realm, nothing comes as close as Christianity to stirring some real feelings of possibility within me. I really like Christian literature, for instance. It somehow strikes a chord in me.

Moreover, even if it could be known without a doubt that there is no supernatural reality that transcends our known world, and that death is final and absolute without doubt, I wouldn't feel cheated for my interest in Christianity, because I think it also has a good idealistic philosophy of peace, equality, love, and hope.

( Read more... )