The shift from inherited faith to chosen faith is what makes this essay work. Most people either defend the religion they were born into without ever questioning it, or they walk away entirely. You did the harder thing, you kept questioning and still landed back where you started, except this time it was actually yours.
The Haidt section on groupish righteousness explains something I’ve felt but never had language for. We assume the discomfort of encountering a different belief is about the belief itself, when it’s really just our wiring reacting to unfamiliarity. Once you see that, moral superiority gets a lot harder to trust.
You also never try to resolve the tension between randomness of birth and personal conviction. Both stay true at once, and you let them. That feels more honest than most writing on faith I’ve come across.
This is such a thoughtful response. 🤍 This is one of the most delicate things one could possibly share, and I appreciate you for hearing and thinking with me. :)
I sit with the fact that I couldn’t resolve the tension. Yes, both stay true.
I think faith is just one of the mysteries I’ve slowly come to embrace in this life. Doubt will always be there, but it is more of a companion in my constant balancing act to keep me going.
“You will know them by their fruits” popped into my head. I’m not a religious person, but I don’t need to be to find truth in that. This is a really good essay I enjoyed it.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on religion and the varieties of religious experience. I know you mention we are wired to seek answers and I believe that is true. However, I often find my focus is on asking the right questions. The expression "we don't know what we don't know" comes to mind. Years ago, my sons had the opportunity to experience first-hand 15-20 different religions through visits to churches, monasteries, mosques, and temples. They found that to be quite meaningful.
Yes, I guess the search for answers, the mere effort to ask the right questions, and the acceptance that some things are unfathomable to human perception are humbling enough. That’s why religious pride baffles me. 😅
Also, everyone’s spiritual journey, based on how we frame questions as you do, is different. As John Stuart Mill puts it, “different persons also require different conditions for their spiritual development.”
As a religious minority in the US, I was keenly aware since an early age in public school of not fitting in. Some meant well: others were downright mean or at least incredibly insensitive saying telling me at age 10 that I was personally responsible for the death of their savior, Jewish Christ, and would be going to hell. My first girlfriend, a lovely young lady from a large Catholic family, innocently looked for the horns on my head and was shocked to find none. Her parents quickly and firmly ended our friendship.
I believe these and other experiences had a substantial impact on me and how I looked at the world. While I was somewhat religious at the time, I adopted the attitude that there are good and not so good people of various persuasions. The message for me: Look for the good and not be concerned about societal labels
I think Richard Dawkins also has this kind of self-righteousness. Remember how he used the word 'bright' and presented strong criticisms of religion in The God Delusion? He basically implies that people who think scientifically are smarter than religious people. I guess he's just being direct. Even so, his book is what made me become an atheist. But over time, I've learned to be more understanding of religious differences, thanks to Karen Armstrong's insights.
I’m sure he does. When someone spends more time scrutinizing their faith, they either end up as an atheist or become more deeply religious. I think both are valid outcomes and should be tolerated. Maybe reaching either end requires a certain level of self-righteousness, but hopefully not to the point of being overly judgmental or hateful.
I haven’t heard of Karen Armstrong; I’ll check her out. Thanks! :)
The shift from inherited faith to chosen faith is what makes this essay work. Most people either defend the religion they were born into without ever questioning it, or they walk away entirely. You did the harder thing, you kept questioning and still landed back where you started, except this time it was actually yours.
The Haidt section on groupish righteousness explains something I’ve felt but never had language for. We assume the discomfort of encountering a different belief is about the belief itself, when it’s really just our wiring reacting to unfamiliarity. Once you see that, moral superiority gets a lot harder to trust.
You also never try to resolve the tension between randomness of birth and personal conviction. Both stay true at once, and you let them. That feels more honest than most writing on faith I’ve come across.
This is such a thoughtful response. 🤍 This is one of the most delicate things one could possibly share, and I appreciate you for hearing and thinking with me. :)
I sit with the fact that I couldn’t resolve the tension. Yes, both stay true.
I think faith is just one of the mysteries I’ve slowly come to embrace in this life. Doubt will always be there, but it is more of a companion in my constant balancing act to keep me going.
“You will know them by their fruits” popped into my head. I’m not a religious person, but I don’t need to be to find truth in that. This is a really good essay I enjoyed it.
Yes! By the fruits, indeed. :) Thank you for dropping by. 🩵
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on religion and the varieties of religious experience. I know you mention we are wired to seek answers and I believe that is true. However, I often find my focus is on asking the right questions. The expression "we don't know what we don't know" comes to mind. Years ago, my sons had the opportunity to experience first-hand 15-20 different religions through visits to churches, monasteries, mosques, and temples. They found that to be quite meaningful.
Yes, I guess the search for answers, the mere effort to ask the right questions, and the acceptance that some things are unfathomable to human perception are humbling enough. That’s why religious pride baffles me. 😅
Also, everyone’s spiritual journey, based on how we frame questions as you do, is different. As John Stuart Mill puts it, “different persons also require different conditions for their spiritual development.”
As a religious minority in the US, I was keenly aware since an early age in public school of not fitting in. Some meant well: others were downright mean or at least incredibly insensitive saying telling me at age 10 that I was personally responsible for the death of their savior, Jewish Christ, and would be going to hell. My first girlfriend, a lovely young lady from a large Catholic family, innocently looked for the horns on my head and was shocked to find none. Her parents quickly and firmly ended our friendship.
I believe these and other experiences had a substantial impact on me and how I looked at the world. While I was somewhat religious at the time, I adopted the attitude that there are good and not so good people of various persuasions. The message for me: Look for the good and not be concerned about societal labels
I’m so glad you’ve not let those instances affect you negatively. 🙂 Religion and politics are just soooo polarizing.
I think Richard Dawkins also has this kind of self-righteousness. Remember how he used the word 'bright' and presented strong criticisms of religion in The God Delusion? He basically implies that people who think scientifically are smarter than religious people. I guess he's just being direct. Even so, his book is what made me become an atheist. But over time, I've learned to be more understanding of religious differences, thanks to Karen Armstrong's insights.
I’m sure he does. When someone spends more time scrutinizing their faith, they either end up as an atheist or become more deeply religious. I think both are valid outcomes and should be tolerated. Maybe reaching either end requires a certain level of self-righteousness, but hopefully not to the point of being overly judgmental or hateful.
I haven’t heard of Karen Armstrong; I’ll check her out. Thanks! :)