Hostage to fear

[Randy Carson]

[quote='Randy Carson' pid='973085' dateline='1435181469']
Wouldn't it depend on the question?

I might quote a chunk of the Catechism if someone asked me a doctrinal question. I might give you my opinion if you ask what I think of Pope Francis.

Tell you what, I promise not to quote the Catechism in any of our exchange. I might still offer a thoroughly Catholic response to a question (and why wouldn't I if the question requires it), but I won't beat you over the head with encyclicals, etc.

Deal?

You talk. I'll listen for starters.

Very well... I'll go to this then...

Let me start with how I would talk to someone in my own Church if we were having fellowship over beers following liturgy (as men often do at my Church);

The bible mentions belief as though it were a choice. I've found that my Christian identity is wholly wrapped up in trying (desperately) to believe, when I simply have not been convinced. A positive affirmation of belief "on" Christ Jesus would be a lie in my case... something that very doctrine prohibits. What I do believe is that I've made tremendous effort in trying to believe, by investigating the faith. Without deconstructing this paragraph, please address this over all point; If belief is a choice and there is evidence that this belief is convincing and rational, why hasn't this evidence rationally convinced me to believe? Especially when I'm not ignorant to it... down to its most specific points.

I thought you might go with this...I was talking with my dad about your post just this morning, in fact.

I want to mull this over...not answer too quickly. Fair?