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(ETA) AGNOSTICISM: The New 'Politically Correct'

Thu, 02/12/2009 - 09:36 — D. T.

When one goes to University (and for some, even earlier), there is a worldview that is encountered, which disrupts a core belief that was once held. That is, Christianity is true, it's real, and it's the most commonly held belief, in case there were any doubts.

Rationalization will always only take us so far. Once this logic-train has seemingly come to a close, what is left? Science will always appear to take us on a path outside of our Sunday School walls. Yet, at least the most liberal of Christians would see the parallels between the Genesis account and evolution. From dust we were created, afterall.

So, what is happening in our culture these days? Well, the popularity of (ETA) agnosticism seems to be the new "cool". It is tempting to join this bandwagon of sorts as we are encountered with ridicule and even anger. Many Christians who, of course, doubt, will find it difficult to go against this fast-growing status quo. No matter who you are or what you believe, it is human nature (as well as quite intellegent) to have doubt about something you believe in so strongly; Atheist, Agnostic, Jew, or Buddhist.

If we don't investigate, we won't know why we believe. Christ-follower's main product is the bible. It tells those of us who look to it that we need to "know why we believe". The more I investigate God outside of this book, the more I do believe and the less likely I am to cave under the influence of the science that merely 'explains' how God made this amazing universe, not how it disproves him.

I wanted to direct your attention to the blog that inspired my thoughts today. A bit more food for thought:

http://blog.rogersradiointernet.com/andrewkrystal/2009/02/05/atheists-wh...

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Comments

Thu, 02/12/2009 - 13:48 — hopealso (of hippie dippie bébé) (not verified)

Hi hi Dawna, you've been

Hi hi Dawna, you've been tagged! Head on over to hippie dippie bébé to find out why! :D

Fri, 02/13/2009 - 04:38 — Samuel Skinner (not verified)

"Yet, at least the most

"Yet, at least the most liberal of Christians would see the parallels between the Genesis account and evolution."

Trust me, the analogy breaks down. Evolution is one of the most brutal process imaginable- it works because most of the individuals involve die. And lets not go into parasites.

"From dust we were created, afterall. "

Actually, people are mostly water. Current guess are on the smoker vents, ice and primordial soup as a standby.

"Well, the popularity of atheism seems to be the new "cool". "

That is impossible. There are no marketing tie ins. How can something be cool if no one can ride the trend and make money off of it?!?

"Many Christians who, of course, doubt, will find it difficult to go against this fast-growing status quo."

Relax- the US is about 85% Christian. Even if atheists double in size, you will still have the majority.

Fri, 02/13/2009 - 07:11 — D. T.

Well, then. I guess I've been

Well, then. I guess I've been told. HAHA!! THANK YOU Samuel Skinner. Your comments are quite refreshing to me. :) ...even if I do disagree with them. ;)

I suppose that since you seem to know all of this, you must also know that most of what is contributed to this idea refers to a lot of the subtleties of this new "cool" trend. Perhaps you don't feel it in the States. I am Canadian. The link I posted to was also from a Canadian. We are a more multicultural nation and well, we don't hold such things so closely in the palm of our hands.

I will admit that smaller towns do, indeed, still feel this way. By the very nature, however, that these smaller towns are more inclusive, it does not negate the theory this post implies.

Yes, yes, we are mostly water. Does this take away from the parallels of evolution and that dust was unnecessary? Highly unlikely. I am not a scientist and therefore will not pretend to understand all of evolution's inner dependencies. I will say that the parallels do, indeed exist and one theory of evolution (or even part thereof ) does not negate the existence of some form of creation.

Thanks for your thoughts and additional reply is certainly welcome.

Fri, 02/13/2009 - 11:24 — Pascale (not verified)

Actually, we are made out of

Actually, we are made out of atoms, so those atoms that do form dust can be the same as what you would get in a human body ;)

Sat, 02/14/2009 - 08:50 — Char (not verified)

Hi Dawna Well considering

Hi Dawna

Well considering that the first person who rang my doorbell after being broken for almost two years was a Jehovah Witness I'd also agree, as a Canadian, that the atheists aren't likely to outnumber Christians anytime soon ;) Maybe I should put a sign on my door: Agnostic/atheist household, move on please :) lol
(actually the JW lady who comes by is a lovely old lady who is super nice to talk to and plus Richard would be sad to miss out on his Watchtower reading, so I guess I won't!)
And I've obviously totally missed that atheists are cool now. When did that happen?? I thought it was the Unitarians that are the super cool folks! :)

Sat, 02/14/2009 - 09:21 — D. T.

Gotta love those JW's. So

Gotta love those JW's. So disciplined... or whatever you call it.

I was laying in bed last night wondering if it wasn't AGNOSTICISM I should have referred to in my title. I do agree that most people would want to line themselves with some form of belief.

From where I come from (small town religion), it is absolutely necessary to not only know why you believe, but also, to know THE EXACT TRUTH OF WHAT you believe. This, as you can imagine is a very tricky belief system. No two people will agree on everything. But, most churches have quite strict regulations placed on those who might consider a leadership role. This makes sense in some ways. However, it is those subtleties that always bothered me.

What I'm finding these days, is that we all may believe in a higher power, but, nobody is claiming that, which I remember back in the old school days: that if you don't invite Jesus Christ into your heart as Lord and Saviour you will not be saved and are damned to hell. As well, if you don't do this, this, this, and this, and DO this or THAT, you are also going to hell. People are more likely to say things like, "I believe in a higher power".

Listen, Christians (myself included) have given God a bad name. Lets not forget how many people have been abused and hurt by the church. Those who walk within and outside its walls to spit hatred to those they disagree with. When I say I am a Christian, I am now met with eye-rolling and a fear that I might try to "convert" them. That any act of "love" I do is to get people "saved", rather than doing it because I really do care for them.

"Truth" is in the search for it. Not, as it were, in the full absolute knowledge of it. To not be SO radical that you miss truth altogether or feel "sorry" for those who don't believe in EXACTLY what you do because you fear their damnation. Maybe some of you never were so radical to begin with. You are lucky.

Go back and read that article I posted. You will see the subtleties, perhaps written more clearly, that I speak of.

Sat, 02/14/2009 - 12:00 — D. T.

After discussing with B, I'm

After discussing with B, I'm thankful to a great "audience" that reminds me to be very careful in my choice words. I stand by what I say in my post... just have to not be so hasty in my titles.

I am changing the title so as not to confuse my readers from my heart. Thanks everyone for your thoughts. <<< HUGZ>>>

Sun, 02/15/2009 - 16:16 — Char (not verified)

I've already read the article

I've already read the article you posted - personally I thought it was very bizarre and dude has a big chip on his shoulder. Why so up in arms about a student atheist group? Oh no, the horror! I don't get it. The whole atheist bus situation came about because of ads on buses in the UK directing people to a website that basically said if you don't believe what they did that you are going to burn in hell or some other nonsense. You know, that's not really very nice. The whole 'There's probably no God, so get on with your life' type ads are in response to that. Religions have held the majority for thousands of years, but if a few people decide to publicly promote that there is another way - *you can be happy now!* - then that's a problem to this dude?

Anyhow, whether it's atheist or agnostic you are concerned about - Christians are still the huge majority in this country (still WAY more likely to have a conservative Christian PM than an atheist or agnostic one, despite dude's ramblings). I wonder if some of the eye rolling you encounter might be guilty Christians who haven't been to church in a while, heh. Also even people I know who do believe in God (and most people I know do) can get a little guarded when someone identifies themselves as Christian because they are used to people with extreme beliefs being the ones talking about religion - most people who believe in God don't actually talk about it a lot or call themselves Christians in that same way. For example my parents believe in God but would never call themselves Christians. My dad would say he's Luthern and my mom would say she's Catholic, and both would get nervous if someone called themselves Christian, hehe - they believe in God, they just don't want to talk about it much! But then they are also old, heh. :)

Sun, 02/15/2009 - 19:57 — Pascale (not verified)

Speaking of the adds on the

Speaking of the adds on the buses... quite frankly, religion, or absence thereof, has no place on bus ads at all. Although I am myself a believer, I always felt annoyed whenever I saw any, in the past. It just doesn't feel right, somehow, like religion (or agnosticism, or atheism) could be sold like any other product, like shaving cream, lipstick and condoms...

As for believers, you won't find too many in Quebec: it's probably the most secular place in the Americas! *roll eyes*

Thanks for this post, DT!

Sun, 02/15/2009 - 20:15 — D. T.

Oh Great! I just re-read the

Oh Great! I just re-read the article I asked YOU to re-read and here I am: I preacher without a podium. I remember that particular talkshow. I was also quite miffed that this was such a big issue. "Who cares", I thought, "that this banner was written on a bus?" If this is the point of his message, then I certainly withdraw its direction.
However, what I do find interesting, is that he is absolutely right about the conservative portrayal of Christianity. I, myself (not unlike your parents, Charmaine), find it very difficult to proclaim this "Christian" name for myself. I would much rather say that I am "Agnostic for Christ" than state claims on anything "Christian".
This, is what my point of this blog entry is. I feel firmly about this being the consensus of my country despite what the general "talk" claims. People are much more likely these days to say that whatever you believe is fine. It's what YOU believe that matters. Years ago, this might not have been held true. Stating that one "believes in God", does not infer that they are any more or less Christian than the person who just bombed 18 men, women, and children for this same God.

And lets not forget, North America is not the center of the Earth. There are far too many countries that believe in anything BUT that Jesus was merely a man (and some people even question that). Realizing that Canada is becoming more tolerant of "any" belief is what I've personally encountered within circles I've recently trodden. I'm sorry to disagree but, assuming anything other than this just because people state that they believe in "God" might only be for the sake of wishful thinking.

Perhaps I'm not clear. It wouldn't be the first time and it certainly won't be the last.

I love the way you think Charmaine. It makes me feel comfortable having you on board here. I love that you make me think and rethink. I am on a personal journey of my own and hope to have you (as well as every other who disagrees - and I hope - agrees as well) come along for the ride to pick me up when I fall off the train.

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