This is:
Because "we" (the group with whom I identify) have, over many past generations, sunk so much effort, resources, sufferings into such-and-such aspects of the religion;
"Therefore" I/Now cannot possibly conclude that such activities and actions are here-and-now now useless, or harmful.
(Poor little me all alone; versus all-so-many, so great Them...)
If I did; then I (little me, all by myself) would be saying that all-that effort/ resources/ suffering was a mistake.
I would be rejecting and cutting-myself-off from the (justly great and venerable) ancestors who made and sustained my religion.
I would be putting my poor little self above all Them great and good...
And thus people paint themselves into a corner of despair, hopelessness, and apostasy.
Because the religion of the ancestors does not work anymore.
Indeed, the poor-little "I" secretly (secret from itself, mostly) regards the religion of the ancestors and of the strong-majority as, in some important respects... well, flawed... Badly flawed.
The secret heart cries-out against it, against some of the things some of my ancestors believed and did - so sincerely, so earnestly, for such sustained periods)...
But, anyway, whatever They thought/said/did - fact is: it doesn't work anymore.
It doesn't work they don't really believe it - but they are painted into a corner of That Or Nothing.
Thus "Christianity" is weakened, and thus people reject "Christianity".
It is their own fault.
If we find ourselves painted into a corner, trapped by convictions into hope-less-ness - the first step towards escape is to recognize that we are actively doing this to ourselves.
By our own timidity: our fear, and lack of courage, and mental laziness...
And fundamental, ultimate, irresponsibility: The deep propensity (so common nowadays) to want to blame others for our predicament.
Nobody can compel anyone else to give up this existential persecutory delusion; because it is consoling in the short-term; even as it is spiritually lethal in the longer-term.
And vast swathes of people in the world (whole nations, races, ethnicities, ideologies) are in the grip of chosen-resentment and other-blame; including many powerful, rich and prestigious people (and groups) - people who we (poor little me!) would really like to have on our side!
People think: "My life would be So Much easier and pleasanter and more secure; if I was part of a strong gang!
People are trapped by their own self-imposed and self-interested assumptions - and by their own fear, resentment, and despair.
They reject any help that requires them to be courageous, active, and spiritually-autonomous.
Which is why such people cannot be helped: if they do not help themselves first.
This theme -- which has been touched on many times by Dr. Charlton -- is arguably his greatest contribution to Christian discourse and to philosophy in general. What at first shocks many people soon becomes liberating and exhilarating as you gradually grasp the implications: you are free to know Christ directly.
ReplyDeleteThe more I pay attention to why various self-identified Christians believe what they believe, the more convinced I am that it’s overwhelmingly the result of individual psychology. “It comforts me to believe in election.” “It comforts me to know it’s not my will but God’s will.” “It comforts me that the Magisterium guarantees my salvation.” “It comforts me that whatever I think the Bible says must be the Truth.” “It comforts me that my church is large and powerful enough to ensure me employment and stability for my family.”
ReplyDeleteI’m not against comfort as a rule, the Holy Spirit was sent to comfort us after all. But we’re also told to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, and I don’t see how any of these systems leave room for that. I don’t know. I’d like to think I can find the actual Truth without regard to my personal psychology, but maybe that isn’t how it works.
@Stephen - "you are free to know Christ directly"
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that if we really believe that the creator is good and loves us, it is inevitable that He would have made this possible.
I personally feel sure that He would not have been so foolish to have made our relationship wit the divine, and our salvation, contingent upon the presence and integrity of an institution, specific priests, a valid translation of a specific book, or any such contingent limitation.
@Mia - Comfort is fine, as far as it goes. But it seems obvious to me that - whatever benefits people get from their externally-derived Christian practice - it is just *not enough* to motivate them sufficiently for what is needed here-and-now.
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