(September 4, 2023 at 4:26 am)FrustratedFool Wrote: I can understand the various reasons that someone may convert, but I'm curious as to why someone would retain their belief after years of being a Christian and having spent time studying the bible and theology, looking at arguments for/against, and so on.
So, for those who have been a believing adult for more than 5 years, and who are feel they're conversant on the various arguments for/against, what is it that keeps you believing?
Any particular philosophical positions, or specific events that happened, or a particular inner feeling or intuition, etc?
I'm a Christian simply because the threshold for belief ( I don't necessarily believe we can honestly choose to believe something) has been reached and I accept that it's true. As much as one can actually choose, I try to avoid biases, regularly retrospect, study and discuss my beliefs, which inform my community, which in turn informs my belief. I try and be open and reasonable to accept counter opinions and attempt to tolerate any negativity.
I see, what I attribute as God's will, in my life regularly. I find value in aligning myself to the positive morality I find in Christiandom. The lessons I learn from my Christian beliefs seem to improve me morally on a personal and societal level. I find value in the community and support being a Christian brings. I believe my world view is very effective in navigating the social and physical world surrounding me. Having a Christian view gives me a sense of peace and enjoyment, meaning my feeling of knowing is defined by my faith. You probably wanted more specifics, but I'm very busy selling a house and not working when I should be
-Dave
"There ought to be a term that would designate those who actually follow the teachings of Jesus, since the word 'Christian' has been largely divorced from those teachings, and so polluted by fundamentalists that it has come to connote their polar opposite: intolerance, vindictive hatred, and bigotry." -- Philip Stater, Huffington Post
always working on cleaning my windows- me regarding Johari
always working on cleaning my windows- me regarding Johari