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RE: The Intersection of Faith and Doubt: finding common ground.
July 4, 2014 at 2:45 pm
(July 4, 2014 at 1:25 am)XK9_Knight Wrote: I’ll state out right that I am a Christian. Call me what you will, “ignorant, stupid, sheltered,” whatever floats your goat (Perhaps that can be my title instead of Christard?). Nonetheless I’d be very interested in interacting with this community. To be honest I nearly gave up my faith at least twice, although I’m not sure what kept me from it (a story for another time, I suppose).
The major factor for joining a community like this where I’m unwanted is this statement from John Locke, “For till it be resolved how far we are to be guided by reason, and how far by faith, we shall in vain dispute, and endeavor to convince one another in matters of religion.” And who on the basis of experience disagree with this statement?
Anyone who has watched a debate on theism and atheism (or any topic for that matter) may leave with a sense of unease… or at least in need of a hefty dose Alka-Seltzer. There’s often contact with one’s arguments during rebuttals but the opponents seem strangely un-phased by the other. No deep reflection has taken place; no real engagement has occurred. Much of what I see are people talking at each other with a considerable degree of emotional distance from one another.
Although you and I differ markedly in what we believe about reality we nonetheless have some things in common: fear, loss, love. So I’m curious, is there a rich, resonant question that fosters intellectual agreement?
Put more simply what do you and I agree on; do we share some common ground?
I don’t expect to find this “rich, resonant” question right away; part of the fun with questions like these are in the discussion. But, let’s not entertain the possibility that is no common ground unless it comes to that point, shall we?
You seem, on my reading of your opening post, to be a reasonable fellow so would probably agree on most things.
Religious beliefs are probably the least important things in peoples lives up until the time they start to direct them generally or impact on others.
Politics is more important as it has an actual impact and in america, the middle east and other religiously backwards countries that's where it gets messy.
