There’s a lot of grief involved in letting go of once deeply held beliefs, and belongings… and there is a lot of unresolved grief involved in Churches, too, as they watch people leave, and the structures that help make sense of their faith be questioned. I think it’s their own painful grief, anger and uncertainty that they are distancing from, and acting out of, when they make such hurtful comments. Go well.❤️
Good point—thanks for showing empathy. People “act out” when they perceive a threat—like the apostle Paul, who may have persecuted Christians to “push down” his own uncertainty. We need to keep in mind that our questioning will most often not bring joyful pondering within the “club” but cause them to “circle the wagons” & likely lash out.
Your thoughts/posts seem to come directly from my mind. I appreciate the posts and time/effort you put it to get here. It is beneficial to me, which means there are many others who feel the same. Thank you!!
Antony Flew also wrote a more fascinating paper (in my opinion) entitled the “Theology of Falsification.” He labeled religious beliefs as non-falsifiable. Flew claimed that religious believers often qualify their claims in a way that prevents anything from ever counting against them. This is why arguments in the realm of faith rarely make much sense or are essentially meaningless arguments. Hume has a similar argument.
Thank you for this, sir. It means a lot and helps reinforce the truth that what my former “church family” and asshole pastor put me through was not because I had done anything wrong. They just couldn’t handle what should have been Right. ✌️👊
Thank you for this. "You were sincere. You believed deeply. You prayed. You served. You gave. You sang. You wept. You hoped." Yes, that chapter was so real, and still is in an evolved way. I was searching for deconstruction podcasts and listened to your episode on Honoring the Journey yesterday. I feel so seen! Thank you for sharing your story. I'm so happy to have found you and this community ❤️
As hard as found it to step away, there was an accompanying fear of stepping into the void. After years of wandering, I found my way here with people who have travelled a similar path. I am grateful and I'm finding an accompanying peace. Whatever IT is... It's MORE! 🙏
Joe, this post resonates now that I am a "church outsider." I was reading your series on The Heros Journey and have found the language really helpful.
I crossed the threshold when I finally managed to leave church and embark on this journey into a different understanding of spirituality and Jesus. The Road of trials is alternately disturbing and exciting. I know there is no returning to how things were, but this place is confusing and often lonely. Unraveling is a helpful word to describe the experience of finally acknowledging to myself that religion as I knew it simply didn't make sense any more, and felt hollow.
As I work through the darkness of unraveling, I already know that I am a different person from the one who for years had tried to fit the"good Christian" mould. I see the world through a completely new lens; this is part of the elixir perhaps, but to most other people it's a sign that I have "lost my way. "
Humans will jump through a lot of hoops to avoid the prospect that they *might* be wrong. But integrity demands looking at the question(s) honestly and openly, and be willing to live without all the answers. Grace, peace, and comfort to you.
This is why I haven't shared my deconstruction with anyone. It's also why I wish the early Church hadn't reclaimed the word 'christian' and turned into a new religion. I don't believe that's why Jesus came. He only came to help us view Judaism differently. I've actually been thinking about wearing a Star of David w/ a cross necklace and started looking at some options. I just haven't picked one out yet.
Thanks.
There’s a lot of grief involved in letting go of once deeply held beliefs, and belongings… and there is a lot of unresolved grief involved in Churches, too, as they watch people leave, and the structures that help make sense of their faith be questioned. I think it’s their own painful grief, anger and uncertainty that they are distancing from, and acting out of, when they make such hurtful comments. Go well.❤️
Good point—thanks for showing empathy. People “act out” when they perceive a threat—like the apostle Paul, who may have persecuted Christians to “push down” his own uncertainty. We need to keep in mind that our questioning will most often not bring joyful pondering within the “club” but cause them to “circle the wagons” & likely lash out.
❤️
Your thoughts/posts seem to come directly from my mind. I appreciate the posts and time/effort you put it to get here. It is beneficial to me, which means there are many others who feel the same. Thank you!!
Thank you, Phil 🙏🏼
Good words! This fallacy hits especially hard when we are most vulnerable. We’re already struggling with doubt and this amounts to piling on.
Absolutely
Antony Flew also wrote a more fascinating paper (in my opinion) entitled the “Theology of Falsification.” He labeled religious beliefs as non-falsifiable. Flew claimed that religious believers often qualify their claims in a way that prevents anything from ever counting against them. This is why arguments in the realm of faith rarely make much sense or are essentially meaningless arguments. Hume has a similar argument.
This can also be called the “Joe’s TikTok comments theory.” 😂
Thank you for this, sir. It means a lot and helps reinforce the truth that what my former “church family” and asshole pastor put me through was not because I had done anything wrong. They just couldn’t handle what should have been Right. ✌️👊
🙏🏼❤️
Thank you for this. "You were sincere. You believed deeply. You prayed. You served. You gave. You sang. You wept. You hoped." Yes, that chapter was so real, and still is in an evolved way. I was searching for deconstruction podcasts and listened to your episode on Honoring the Journey yesterday. I feel so seen! Thank you for sharing your story. I'm so happy to have found you and this community ❤️
Thank you, Lucy! I am glad you found us as well. I loved talking to Leslie.
As hard as found it to step away, there was an accompanying fear of stepping into the void. After years of wandering, I found my way here with people who have travelled a similar path. I am grateful and I'm finding an accompanying peace. Whatever IT is... It's MORE! 🙏
Joe, this post resonates now that I am a "church outsider." I was reading your series on The Heros Journey and have found the language really helpful.
I crossed the threshold when I finally managed to leave church and embark on this journey into a different understanding of spirituality and Jesus. The Road of trials is alternately disturbing and exciting. I know there is no returning to how things were, but this place is confusing and often lonely. Unraveling is a helpful word to describe the experience of finally acknowledging to myself that religion as I knew it simply didn't make sense any more, and felt hollow.
As I work through the darkness of unraveling, I already know that I am a different person from the one who for years had tried to fit the"good Christian" mould. I see the world through a completely new lens; this is part of the elixir perhaps, but to most other people it's a sign that I have "lost my way. "
Humans will jump through a lot of hoops to avoid the prospect that they *might* be wrong. But integrity demands looking at the question(s) honestly and openly, and be willing to live without all the answers. Grace, peace, and comfort to you.
A Christian is a follower of Christ. People have made into an exclusive club with membership rules. The Pharisees never stopped running the church.
This is why I haven't shared my deconstruction with anyone. It's also why I wish the early Church hadn't reclaimed the word 'christian' and turned into a new religion. I don't believe that's why Jesus came. He only came to help us view Judaism differently. I've actually been thinking about wearing a Star of David w/ a cross necklace and started looking at some options. I just haven't picked one out yet.
Faith evolves...I love this.
hmmm. I served, I gave- did I ever really believe...
Sincerely tried is as
far as I can be sure of.
I get that totally. I never didn’t have doubts - but I still believed in my own way.
Doubt and faith. Maybe two sides of the same coin?
mmm, it seems there are more than 2 sides. Like a die, with faith on one face.