Faith vs Truth: No Contest

The reaction from yesterday's entry was surprisingly positive, although I assume that's due to the fact not many narrow-minded people chose to comment. However, in the discussion that developed on facebook, I saw a few examples of why some people make me wanna slam my head into a brick wall over and over.

It was suggested by an individual that feelings such as anger and depression are "un-christian." What does this mean? That a perfectly good Christian, who's spent maybe 5-10 years not only professing their faith, but actually living by it (unlike so many others) can suddenly have a bad day and then be ousted from the holy kingdom? As if waking up and having feelings that are anything less than ecstatic suddenly change a person's character to the point they're deemed no longer worthy of eternal salvation? What ever happened to "body of work" when deciding a person's worth? When did judging a person's overall character become microcosmic?

I'm sure the types I'm talking about are now saying to themselves "you're taking this out of context", or "you're putting words in our mouths", or, my favorite, "you're misinterpreting the bible." Misinterpreting? Let's look at that a bit closer. What bible thumping christians call "misinterpretation" is actually a "gray area" which is perfectly designed to counter any argument of reason against their "faith" or belief system. It's obvious the bible isn't meant to be read, page by page, and taken literally. If it is, then everyone who ever existed is going to hell, so why bother? Go out and bang hookers, do coke off their asses, and mainline paint thinner. Your fate is sealed. No, the fact is, much of what's in the "good book" can be interpreted any number of ways, which immediately, to anyone who has a shred of objectivity and reason, ends any argument about "what is and what isn't" inside those holy pages.

No person has any type of authority, be it earthly or holy, to say, with absolution, what a particular bible passage really means. Hence the term "interpretation." There are only opinions, to which every human being has a right. Therefore, it is easy to conclude that there are no rights or wrongs when it comes to discussing what's inside the bible. However some christians will vehemently deny any and all other ideas or philosophies, taken from the same source (bible), that defy their own. They cannot accept that anyone would choose to believe any differently than what they themselves do, because letting in the idea that there could be another after-life possibility casts doubt in their minds about their own beliefs. After all, why would they spend their entire lives devoted to a book if everyone else didn't also think it was the right thing to do? Absolution.

This brings me to the thing that bothers me most about the type christian I'm writing about today: their misuse and misunderstanding of the word "faith." Referring to the previous paragraph, the belief that what you believe is, beyond all doubt, absolute truth, is just that: a belief. An understanding and acceptance of what one perceives to be fact, actual, reality. It just is. Like walking outside on a clear day, looking up at the sky, and saying "I believe the sky is blue." This would be accurate, because the sky is blue, and because you understand and accept that fact, you believe it. Nobody needs to have faith in the fact the sky is blue. Because it is.

However, some christians will beat you over the head with their beliefs, about how they are "truth", and then in the same breath proclaim their undying faith for god. Do they not know how ridiculous this is, or do they just not care? It is not possible to have faith in something you already believe is fact. It is quite possible to have faith in something you believe. Faith operates in flux, not absolution. It is based on not knowing factually, but believing spiritually or from within. A risk of sorts, but something you feel strongly enough about to invest in. Truth operates solely in absolution. It is based on evidence that is acknowledged, understood, and accepted. It requires no spiritual or inner support, because regardless of how you might feel about it, it simply is.

From my point-of-view, there are two types of christian: those who believe, and those who have faith. The ones who believe will say that what they think is the truth. They will say that if others don't live their lives the same way, they will be damned for all eternity and suffer forever in the fires of Hell. Then they will listen to the other person speak. When the conversation is over, they will walk away thinking "that person is going to burn in Hell." The ones who have faith will listen to the other person speak, respectfully disagree in their mind, and then offer their own thoughts to the discussion. When the conversation is over, they will walk away thinking "I believe what I just told that person is true, but I have no way of knowing it. That's why it's called faith."