Mega Belief: Introspection

After watching Evid3nc3's deconversion videos on YouTube over and over again I feel compelled to do a series of blogs. In this particular set of videos the author posits the idea that the reason why it is so hard for Christians to "deconvert" is because their belief isn't one giant all-inclusive belief, but, instead it is a series of smaller beliefs. I liken this to a balloon compared to a building. The more air you fill the balloon with the bigger it gets. But if you take any sharp object like a needle you can pop the balloon with ease. Now there are some Christians who are like balloons and in return are extremely fragile. With one sharp argument for atheism or against Christianity, you can pop their beliefs.  

While there are some Christians out there that have belief structures that are built like giant balloons, I would venture to say that the majority of them are more like buildings. Where you have smaller support structures that prop up your beliefs called your "Mega belief". If you take out a support beam, sure you get some structural damage but nothing to serious. In other words you can keep on in your belief. Now, you take out several beams over time and your building or Mega belief begins to fall apart.

As a quick side note I would like to make another distinction between the two. Balloons are incredibly thin walled and highly susceptible to popping contrasted with the thick, rugged exterior of a building that can withstand earthquakes and hurricanes.

I was a balloon Christian. I threw all my beliefs into one big pile until, JENGA!, it all came tumbling down. I crashed and burned hard. I didn't know what to do. I was lost. With no comfort blanket in hand I decided to move on and keep digging and pressing for the truth no matter what kind of pain or despair it brought upon me. I guess in the eyes of an atheist I was the lucky one. I didn't have to continue in my delusions any more. I could embrace the world as it was and is. But thats not how it panned out. I didn't embrace atheism right away. I explored its merits and found it to be the best position to hold about a year later. It gave me room to grow and learn. It gave me the oppurtunity to be wrong and keep seeking the truth. This might seem ridiculous but atheism drove me to become a building type Christian.

I know that is confusing so let me try and explain. Before becoming an atheist, I was an extremely fragile balloon Christian ready to pop. It wasn't until my beliefs popped did I know about other arguments for theism or in this case Christianity. So atheism helped me build a building only to tear it down. I could also say atheism made me a stronger more intelligent Christian and gave me reasons not to believe at the same time. I was discovering Christianity and atheism at the same time and in the end atheism was the stronger case.

In part 2 of this post I will explore my main reasons of disbelief and Christianity's objections.

Devin, VoD

*Facepalm*

Some people just don't get it.  Here is a recent exchange on Facebook I had with a couple of Christian friends.

UNapologetics: Does God Create Evil?

About a year before I started traveling down my road towards atheism, I was in the extreme Christian minority--some might even call it the fringe. I belonged to a group of people who believed that God created all evil in this world. We even had biblical proof! I was pretty sure alot of people were familiar with Isaiah 45:7 where God says, "I make peace and create evil." But to my surprise I was completely wrong. When I would show my fundy friends this verse they would all decry and denegrate me saying I was taking said verse out of context. Being used to the accusation of taking things out of context, I just told them that if they had an alternate explanation they would like to elucidate by all means the floor was theirs. And of course they had nothing on the spot. But a couple of days later the friends I had showed the verse to said they had the answer. They had printed out a page off of the apologetics website CARM. I was extremely familiar with CARM. I used to peruse their website looking for things to critique and debate. So without further adieu here is the alternate explanation I was presented with.

Divine Confusion

As a Christian I used to view alot of things in a subjective manner or simply put, through the lens of Christianity. Especially when it came to things like Christian doctrine. I used to be infatuated with perusing Christian websites, trying to find the slightest error in their doctrines. I can remember going to the Christian apologetics website, CARM, and emailing them nasty, scornful letters telling them how wrong they were.

A Material World: Rejecting Miracles

I have often been asked or have asked my self even the question what if the Bible was historically accurate and consistent, would that be enough evidence?

Well lets say for a moment that there are no problems that plague the Bible. There are no problems with inconsistencies or contradictions. There are no problems with historicity. For the sake of argument lets say the Bible is a completely reliable text. Would that be enough?

Logically Rejecting Paul

If you would, I would like you to imagine something with me right now (I promise it won't take long)...

I want you to imagine your local pastor or church leader. It can be a he or a she but for the sake of redundancy I will be using a he. He must be a devout, pious follower of Christ. Some one you have known to be trustworthy and honest your whole church life. Now one Sunday morning your pastor comes up to the pulpit and anounces he will be leaving you. And sure enough to your surprise he is gone the next day.

Now imagine three years later your pastor returning to only stay with you for 15 days. During this time he vaguely talks about having visions. He expresses doubt and concern for his faith for reasons he did not reveal. Then he up and leaves once again.

Separated at Death

Sometimes as an atheist I forget what it is like to think like a Christian. To understand crazies, psychologists will explore the complex abyss of the mind. They try to understand the way they think to gain insight into how their minds tick. So since I couldn't remember what that was like I thought I would delve into the mind of a Christian and try and understand how they think. So I picked a pastor that I used to enjoy learning from. None other than Pastor Rick Warren. Me and my wife read his book, A Purpose Driven Life, together, so I thought, why not?

To My Christian Friends and Family

In light of ProfMTH's video I thought it apropos to expound on his idea.  In his latest video ProfMTH's provocation was only extended to liberal and moderate Christians. I think his video should not only constitute those of liberal and moderate theology but those who also hold more of a conservative theology and the like. His challenge is both arduous and demanding, yes, but it is also most crucial and acute. This challenge unequivocally necessitates the need for answers for the vitality of your faith. I will be dealing with four areas: historicity, inspiration, inerrancy or infalliability, and the ugliness.

A Challenge for Christians

ProfMTH over on YouTube is brilliant! His videos are always insightful for the non-theist and challenging to the theist. Here is his latest video.

I would say though that this video shouldn't only be addressed to liberal and moderate Christians. It should be addressed to all Christians period.

I would like to see all Christians take this challenge on and not repeat or regurgitate the Christian talking points but think for themselves.

The Thinking Atheist has done it again!!!

If you haven't been over to The Thinking Atheist YouTube page you are missing out! Check out his new video!