heresy

When Trent first started going through his faith "crisis" I found it quite entertaining to call him a heretic. I also like the word apostate (pagan is good too, although I would guess that actual pagans would be somewhat offended, so I should probably phase that one out). It just kind of lightens the mood. And when everything is kind of spinning into chaos, and everyone you know fears you might be bound straight for hell, you really need a bit of levity.

Who knew ... that word (heretic) did not get phased out with Galileo? Some churches still actually denounce people as heretics ... a la Carlton Pearson. I finally listened to this NPR This American Life program on him that I mentioned earlier. It is fascinating. Give it a listen. I'd love to know what you think.

loss

I came upon this super interesting article from Psychology Today. Titled, An Atheist in the Pulpit, it discusses pastors who have lost (or radically changed in) their faith.

One of the people featured is Dan Barker, a former pastor who has some Minnesota connections and heads a group called the Freedom From Religion Foundation. I once saw Barker in a debate on religion and politics at North Heights church. It was about two or three years ago ... I remember being somewhat panicked at the time, because Barker was the lone atheist and of all the people on the panel, I thought he made the most sense. That seemed like a bad sign. Oh that debate! I was out of my element there (I had honest intentions. We had gone to hear Greg Boyd, but he ended up not being able to participate at the last minute). At one point, one audience member made the comment [regarding gay marriage] "God made "Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve." The whole room erupted in whoops and applause. I, on the other hand, put my head in my hands and hoped that the floor would open up and swallow me. No such luck.

Here is an excerpt from the article:

Says Barker: "we surveyed our members 10 years ago, asking them: "If you were raised religious, why did you change your mind?" There was no one answer. Some people gave social reasons: the way the church treats women. Some people gave reasons like, 'the fear of hell—I just couldn't live with that.' But the answer people gave more often than any other was that it was intellectual: Religion eventually just did not make sense."

Carlton Pearson (in addition to kind of looking like Prince and being a protege of Oral Roberts) has a totally interesting trajectory. He didn't lose his faith, but his understanding of God fundamentally changed (which subsequently led to the loss of his thriving 5,000-person congregation), basically in a moment. He also shared about his experience on NPR's This American Life. I haven't listened to it yet. but am looking forward to doing so.

This piece (whether you agree with the participants interviewed or not) is worth a read. And though every story is different, I think it offers a lot of insight into the path of people who find themselves suddenly at odds with the faith they have embraced for most of their lives. Check it out.

joking

Trent does this thing. Awhile back he began this perennial practical joke, where he leaves the stereo on this uber-conservative Christian talk radio station, so that when I get in the car, that is what's playing.

I'll admit, it's funny. And usually I can just laugh, roll my eyes, and turn the dial back to MPR or Cities (I SO wish I was musically hip enough to like the Current more, but most days, I'm just not) where it usually is.

But every once in awhile (this happened yesterday), that station is like a train wreck, and I can not tear myself away from. I listen to it. Only to find myself getting annoyed, angry, or terribly sad (I'm big on yelling back at the announcers). But I can't seem to turn it off. Do you ever do that to yourself? Listen to (or watch or read) something just to allow yourself to be critical or self-righteous or depressed? It's a poisonous habit. I wish I was above it, but so far I am not. And in this case, for each minute I listen to that station, I feel any hope or optimisim I might have about the Christian faith bleeding out of me. Not good.

The thing is, it is exceedingly easy for me to be critical of so much within Christianity. But it's often pointless and not at all helpful. That said, I do think there is some place for it. A place for knowing what you don't believe ... what you reject. And knowing why you don't believe it. And why you reject it. But it's tempting to get stuck there and not move on.

I think, in part, because the next step is infinitely harder. Defining what you do believe ... what is meaningful and real.

I'm trying to focus on the second step ... although sometimes I find myself wallowing in the first. It's a work in progress. But first things first. I really must stop listening to that radio station. And (tragically) I guess that means no more 700 Club either.