Over a few weeks i’ve heard a number of Christians talk about what’s right and wrong with certain religious views and teachings, regarding a wide array of topics. The way some facts were presented seemed harsh, though seemed to be based on truth none the less. Truth is something we all seek, none of us want to build our lives on falsehoods or lies.
So how trustworthy is our source of truth? We as Christians consider the Bible, believing it’s the inspired word of God, to be the ultimate source of truth. Everything else is measured against this. How certain are we that we use this measuring stick appropriately? And does it give us the right to use whatever means impose our views on others?
Richard Dawkins challenges our measuring stick quite convincingly. I’ve just watched a series of videos on what he calls ‘The God Delusion’ in which he argues people of faith often defend their irrational beliefs relentlessly, some even to the point of violence and death. He states such faith has no basis of logic or reason, and in itself is a core root of evil. Sadly, what he states has often been true. Many atrocities have taken place in the name of God, forcing others to ‘the faith' without producing any true evidence of it.
Dawkins also challenges us with the argument of scientific analysis. Is there any proof of what we believe in? He states that he can’t disprove God, just as he can’t disprove fairies or other 'imaginary beings', but he hasn’t found any evidence that God exists. So what is the evidence of our belief in God that we have founded our lives on? Is our faith just 'the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen' as the scripture states in Hebrews 11?
Based on this scripture we all have faith, whether we believe in the Bible or not. Traveling by airplane takes faith, in effect it’s the substance of what you hoped for, which is getting to your destination. It is also the evidence of things unseen, since you cannot physically see what is carrying the aircraft. True, principles of flight have been tested and scientifically proven, but hasn’t our faith in God also been proven in a similar way?
Some say the best defense (especially against insecurity) is offense. This may explain why the faith of many Christians seems offensive. Often their faith is not based on personally proven experiences, but on their untested beliefs in what others have taught them, which they in turn try to impose on others. Dawkins considers this as evil. Agreed! Even scripture tells us to test what we have been taught, hold on to what is good, and avoid evil (Thes 5:21-22). True faith should not be offensive or evil by imposing it’s beliefs on others.
Those who aren’t convinced air travel is safe, may be inclined to stay close to those who believe it is, to help overcome their own insecurities. Call it a form of herd mentality, where you start thinking the same as others. Dawkins argues the same premise for people of faith. Sure, there’s the illusion of security in numbers where others have faith, but a plane can crash just as easily with 1 or 100 people on board. Facts show that airplane crashes are most often due to human error, just as unsound faith can end in destruction due to human error and misguidance. An aircraft that is airworthy and well guided should get you safely to your destination. The same holds true for faith...
What Dawkins suggests is right: Faith needs to be tested and upheld by evidence, and it is scientific, even if it’s tested on a personal level. We would be crazy to believe in something that doesn’t work, or fly on airplanes that aren’t airworthy. True, 'faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen', and as such our faith is based on evidence no less.
Someone who believes in the aircraft they are boarding, shouldn’t need to go around convincing and converting others to believe in it’s airworthiness. The evidence is in the fact that thousands safely fly by air on a regular basis. We may not understand every detail of how the aircraft works, nor have a degree in aeronautics, but we know it works from personal experience. The same is true with faith. But regardless of all the evidence and experiences, there will always be those who point to the crashes and disasters. And this is a big reason many will never step on an airplane and fly.
Are Christians often arrogant in imposing their faith? Are some atrocities done in the name of God? Yes many are, but these actions are not biblical. Study the life of Christ, is there any evidence that Jesus imposed His views on unbelievers? Did he force his views with violence? No. His example showed us that true faith in God exemplifies security and love, not hate; and the evidence of this faith is finding truth and peace, not imposing one’s beliefs on another.
Faith does not compromise truth, but establishes it through understanding and grace with those who sincerely seek it. Truth however does becomes divisive to those who don’t seek it, including many people of faith...
So how trustworthy is our understanding of truth? Do we as Dawkins draw conclusions from man-made atrocities and disasters we see? Do we blindly proclaim what is taught by our teachers, preachers and the media? It’s like stepping on an airplane, for our faith to fly- it needs to be airworthy; backed with sound evidence. Test it for truth, look at the evidence, and believe with grace. This is exactly what the Bible implores us to do...
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