While on the Internet the other day, I found a website that discussed the problem of young people abandoning the Christian church.
Interesting stuff, but what really grabbed my attention was this comment made by an anonymous reader:
Christianity is based on a leap of faith, right? Islam is based on a leap of faith, right? All religions have no empirical proof and are based on a leap of faith. How then can one religion possibly claim that any other religion is wrong, since they are all based on the same leap of faith?
Perhaps you agree with these thoughts. I can write, quite easily, that I’ve never had a problem with the lack of “empirical proof” in Christianity or any other faith. Do you really think this is an accident? I don’t. Consider this: If we had empirical proof of God’s existence, wouldn’t that deny our freedom to be atheists?
If I know anything about God, it’s that He has a rock-hard commitment to free will. That means you and I can deny His existence or, even more dramatic (and sad….), we can commit unspeakable evil in His name. And, to the casual, superficial observer, we can do it without any sort of penalty. We can also do extraordinary good in His name and live lives of amazing influence and value. I think the late, great Mother Theresa tops that list.
What about one faith group claiming to be exclusively right? The faith I belong to certainly advances that point of view. But that’s not something conjured up on a whim; serious followers of Jesus of Nazareth trust in the words He tells his followers “I am the way, the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me.”
Am I supposed to ignore that? Was Jesus just a little full of himself that day? If I go down that path, then Jesus becomes nothing more than a cool dude with some good ideas. Maybe that works for some people, but it’s hardly the basis for a faith that’s going to help people like me deal with our faults and seriously consider what happens after this life ends.
Serious Jesus followers are not interested in occasionally checking in with a funky guru; we want a transformed life, now and after this existence is done. In our better moments, we want to leave behind the “it’s all about you” mentality of our culture; that’s a point of view that discourages thinking about serious issues and insists “whoever has the most toys (when he/she dies) wins”.
In your better moments, do you also see the emptiness of this kind of thinking? Post your comments and let’s have a conversation.
Frank's Cottage 
Great post. You’re right about the lack of empirical proof and you’re right about free will and you’re also right that some people want a transformed life, which I would describe as a magic bullet with God’s name and salvation on it. Unfortunately, there is no such thing. That’s why we’re all here.
Life is a journey (of discovery), not a destination – yet people still want this certainty of knowing where they’re going. Who can blame them? However, if God had wanted us to know all about him, there are so many easier ways that an omnipotent god could have done that other than supposedly inspiring the Bible.
But people are so desperate for answers, dare I say any answers, that they can believe in. That’s why it’s called a leap of faith. If it works for them and makes them better people, I’m all for it. I just wish that they would all stop claiming that they’re the only ones who know God.
Thanks for your thoughtful and detailed comment. Much appreciate the time you put into this. And BTW, I would never claim that I’m the only person around me who knows God…and I don’t know all of Him, either. In fact, a Frank’s Cottage essay specifically addresses the mystery of God: https://frankscottage.wordpress.com/2012/06/17/hello-world/
Methinks’ the Bible verifies itself empirically through prophesy as well as today’s miracles. The angel Gabriel told Daniel (8th or 9th chapter of Daniel, a section of the Bible) the very day of the “Triumphel Entry” of Jesus into Jerusalem (500 years beforehand); Sir Johnathan Anderson c-1894, Head of the Scotland Yard police force, wrote his “The Coming Prince” proving this fact.
Another prophesy unique to all other faiths, did attest in a section of the Bible called “Job” the fact that the earth is round. I believe it stands around’ 200 prophesies that have already come to pass and there are about 300 prophesies still unrealized, but the world situation will surely see their fulfillment as well. My faith and belief of Christianity was greatly assisted by prophetic studies.
Thanks for you fascinating insights into the sometimes-challenging area of prophesies in the Bible. Much appreciated! 🙂
Great essay Frank…. In my humble opinion the fact that as Christians we have “Free Will” is what I believe perplexes many non-Christians. Most non Christian believers are legalists at heart, they do not understand “grace” and would live in an age where people are stoned for the poor choices and sins in their lives.
Thanks for your comment and your interest in Frank’s Cottage, Jim. There’s no doubt that “grace” in its Christian context is a challenge for our culture. Heck, it’s often a challenge for serious Christians! 🙂
I am a Christian and I love my God!!!
Great Blog Frank. What if we had that “evidence” from the beginning, it would of made the atheism “denial” redundant, as it would of never of had to have been invented in the first place, which still would of been a decision of free will.
I would of rather never have had atheism at all. To see that man had to invent such a philosophy, for me, it comes from such a negative perspective, and is more a lack of belief in one’s self.
Thanks for your thoughts, Bruce. You make some good points. 🙂
Would you be interested in someone who fundamentally disagrees with the ideas in this post or are you simply looking for confirmation?
I have no issue with anyone who wants to disagree – provided they do do with maturity and respect.