The Nature of Our Beliefs

Beth and I watched 2 movies this weekend. On Friday night we watched Religulous, with comedian Bill Maher. Maher is an atheist, raised Catholic but has a Jewish mother. The goal of the movie is to show how religion (or religious beliefs) are ridiculous and dangerous. I think most religious people would find it (and Maher) very offensive for his language and sexual references but anyone might be offended by Maher's total lack of respect for many people he interviewed.

On Saturday night we watched EXPELLED, with comedian Ben Stein, who is a Jewish theist (I don't know if he is "practicing" or not). The goal of this movie is to show how atheistic Darwinism has squelched free inquiry and operates today from a premise about the origin of life that is unprovable. I think most theists will want to cheer.

Neither movie attempts to be unbiased, but here is one fascinating aspect. Both men relate passionately to the suffering of the Holocaust and each places the primary blame on the other's side. So, Maher says it was a religious atrocity, or at least religious believers were the ones committing the majority of atrocious acts. Stein says that Darwinism was the underlying and driving theoretical basis of the Holocaust.

Both men seem right about the Holocaust which in part confirmed for me, a belief I've had for several years.

Here it is: I believe that most people believe what they WANT to believe.

This statement is circular. I can't even begin to prove it, and it applies equally to the belief I just stated and to me as much as anyone else. We all could cite examples that appear to contradict this, but I believe that the exceptions prove the rule.

SO… let me explain.

1. Most people do not have the time to really pursue the answers to most questions to great depth. This is true even for intellectual people who like to read and even for experts in one field who don’t have time to really become experts in another field.

2. Most people rely for their answers on human authorities who DO have the time to research their questions; "experts" that we come to trust. I don't think this is necessarily a bad thing, but reading a book by an expert makes us feel like experts, even if the book was only written by someone who read other experts’ books instead of doing their own research.

3. Most of these experts started the same way we do and ultimately came to their conclusions because they already had a position that they had arrived at through the influence of someone who was an expert first; a “professor” so-to-speak.

4. In choosing reliable human authorities, we usually gravitate towards those who confirm what we already believe, unless we are somehow dis-satisfied with our current beliefs, then we gravitate towards those who (like us) might be critical of our current beliefs. That doesn’t mean that the arguments aren’t rational but that we probably start with some sort of commitment (we could say “faith”) before we have our good arguments. Religious dogma or scientific method, it doesn’t matter.

“You cannot criticize any claim to truth except on the basis of a truth that you claim, and with respect to which you suspend criticism.” Lesslie Newbigin

5. There are BRILLIANT people on both sides of most issues: A/theism. Creation/Evolution. Biblical Truth/Historical Criticism. Republican/Democrat. War/Peace. Homosexual Marriage/NO Homosexual Marriage. GrantCitizenship/Deport-&-Build-a-Wall. Jet Li/Bruce Lee. Half-full/Half-empty. Haveyourcake/Eatittoo.

6. Since we can’t really research both sides to the necessary depth, we have to settle down with belief of some expert; probably the one we agreed with at the start. Maybe we forge a half-way-between belief or agnosticism about the issue, but it doesn't really matter.

7. The belief we settle on is the one that is most APPEALING to us, at that point in time and the appeal of the belief is NOT the result of our own cogent reasoning or research.

8.It most likely has to do with perceived self-interest of some kind. In other words, its about what I want deep down. This want might be subconscious, it might be a matter of connection or distance (ie. I want to feel that I am a part of my: family, nation, party, church, social group OR I want to distance myself from these), it might be sexual (I want the belief that allows me the most freedom), or it might be financially motivated. That doesn't mean that the position is irrational. Wanting our view of the world to remain intact, is rational. So is wanting to change our life if it's unpleasant. However, in all of these cases the prime motivator for belief is not a commitment to reason, facts or certainty (which may be over-rated anyway).

9. We may believe that we believe something because of a real experience that we have had, but why did we interpret our experience in such a way that it confirmed or refuted a particular belief? For instance, I believe that the spirit of God can reveal things to people. I have had experiences to confirm my belief in God, but my belief in God preceded the experience and shaped my interpretation. Again, that’s not bad. That’s just the way it is, 99+% of the time; even for experts and scholars and comedians. People may claim to have undeniable experiences, but I wager that undeniability has as much to do with desire as reason. Even in the Bible, people who have direct encounters with God, doubt.

10. Nonetheless, some things are true and others are not. Conversions and paradigm changes do happen, for good or for ill. Some experts and comedians are right. Others are wrong. Therefore, so are we. That’s why we have to be careful! I believe in believing, and reading and even arguing and advocating. But if I’m right, then the crucial question isn’t: “How do I know my belief is right?” but, “How do I know if my wants are right?”

What do you believe? More importantly: What do you want to believe? And most importantly: why?

MEN (MANLY MEN)

I am honored to have a couple essays about experiences of manhood published at the online magazine catapult.  If you're interested in reading them, you can follow the link.  Having someone else think that my writing and/or what I have to say is good enough to be online somewhere other than my own blog is a very validating experience. 

Responsible Citizenship

So after ranting and raving for several posts, you may be wondering why I don't "love it or leave it." This passage from Jeremiah seems to me to contain the most Godly wisdom for any people of faith, wherever we find ourselves.

Jeremiah 29

⁴ This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: ⁵ "Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. ⁶ Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. ⁷ Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper."

Seek the peace - the word is "shalom" meaning health and wholeness more than the absence of conflict. One of our conflicts nationally involves different visions of what health and wholeness look like.  Be that as it may, seek the vision of a better world as you see it.  There is no mandate to rule Babylon, but be responsible in it and take some responsibility for it all the same.

Proud to be an American?

"Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you." Philippians 3:17

What is this example and pattern and what does it have to do with our national pride?

The Example

Philippians 2

⁵Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 
 ⁶Who, being in very nature God, 
      did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 
 ⁷but made himself nothing, 
      taking the very nature of a servant, 
      being made in human likeness. 
 ⁸And being found in appearance as a man, 
      he humbled himself 
      and became obedient to death— 
         even death on a cross! 

Christ is here put forward as the prime example.  If there is a pattern, we should see this example repeated in Paul's own attitude.

The Pattern

Philippians 3

"If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: ⁵circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; ⁶as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.  ⁷But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ, ⁹and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith."

So the pattern is one of rejecting status that could reasonably result in pride, disregarding that status.  In Paul's case it is national, tribal, religious and legal status.

The Philippians would have had status as citizens of a prosperous Roman colony, Rome being the greatest empire to date.  They are being asked to follow the example of Christ in the pattern established by Paul.

If we were to follow this example and pattern, what would it look like?  What marks of pride and status would Christians in the U.S. today be asked to regard as rubbish in order to move more fully into our identity in Christ?

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. ("...by which is meant the right to pursue any lawful business or vocation, in any manner not inconsistent with the equal rights of others, which may increase their prosperity or develop their faculties, so as to give to them their highest enjoyment." - U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Stephen Johnson Field 1883)

Life:

“Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

Matthew 10:39 and 16:25, Mark 8:35, Luke 9:24 and 17:33

"Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28

Liberty:

"Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:29 (Note: “yoke” in the Bible is always a euphemism for slavery and servitude)

“You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature ; rather, serve one another in love.” Galatians 5:13

Happiness:

“And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. ³Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Romans 5:2b-4

³`Happy the poor in spirit -- because theirs is the reign of the heavens.

⁴`Happy the mourning -- because they shall be comforted.

⁵`Happy the meek -- because they shall inherit the land.

⁶`Happy those hungering and thirsting for righteousness -- because they shall be filled.

⁷`Happy the kind -- because they shall find kindness.

⁸`Happy the clean in heart -- because they shall see God.

⁹`Happy the peacemakers -- because they shall be called Sons of God.

¹⁰`Happy those persecuted for righteousness' sake -- because theirs is the reign of the heavens.

¹¹`Happy are ye whenever they may reproach you, and may persecute, and may say any evil thing against you falsely for my sake --

¹²rejoice ye and be glad, because your reward [is] great in the heavens, for thus did they persecute the prophets who were before you.

Matthew 5:3-12 (Young’s “Literal” Translation)

Thoughts on Nationhood: Fire In My Bones

I realize that my previous posts on nationhood may have been a bit abrasive and snide. I’m sorry. My intent isn’t really just to make people mad or rattle cages. Someone recently asked me “where is the political stuff coming from?” The only answer that came to me is that “This is fire in my bones!” (Jeremiah 20:9 – “But if I say, "I will not mention him or speak any more in his name," his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.) I feel the need to preach.

This time of year, as I see so many churches celebrating our country, anxiety grows in me about two things: First, that we are moving away from our first love and our allegiance to God. As a religion scholar I have visited Hindu temples and while there, I’ve had to risk offending people by declining invitations to participate more in their worship. At times I have felt the same need to decline participation in services at Christian churches because to ME, it was not clear whether God or our country was being worshiped. For those who are familiar with Paul’s admonitions about eating meat sacrificed to idols, you may consider me “the weaker brother” for feeling like what would be idolatry to me is not to you. The second reason for my ranting is my involvement with missions. Maintaining contact with the global body of Christ has led me to feel uncomfortable when churches celebrate something (American identity) that sets them apart from other members of that body. More and more, I want to be in constant remembrance of who the church is globally and celebrate our unity (such as it is) and when churches host national celebrations, I feel that we move away from that.

All that being said, I thought over the next few days I would try to simply offer some texts (nothing I’ve written) about America, Christianity and the Bible. I hope they lend themselves to your consideration as we approach the Fourth. Christians often say that the nation was founded on “Christian principles.” Mind you, principles don't need to be explicitly "Christian" to be good, and if they are not Christian, that doesn't mean I don't like them (whether or not I should is another question). It just means that there may not be a clear connection. We also have to ask whether the Christian scriptures mean the same thing we do when they use certain words. On Sunday, I will consider Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness, the foundational principles of the national “creed.”

FYI: The art at top is by Daveion Lashley a conservative Christian artist from Barbados. His website is: www.godartist.com