Introduction
Approximately nine years ago, an atheist respectfully made me aware of some highly hypocritical expectations of mine.
I had approached him with the expectation that he would consider rejecting his position as an atheist in favor of Christianity. Somehow I was surprised when he requested that I also consider rejecting my position as a Christian in favor of atheism.
This simple exchange made me realize that I was asking Him to takes steps towards considering Christianity that I, as a person raised in the steeps of Christianity, had never taken. I had no idea what the journey from atheist to Christian would be like.
When I tried to imagine how I might have become a Christian had I started as an atheist, I realized that, with my reluctance to consider worldviews outside of my own, I might have never become a Christian. In fact, with the mindset I had at the time, should Christianity be false, I would never come to discover that reality either.
I was taught to believe that my position as a Christian was the correct one by means of faith. Furthermore, to question my correctness would be to have little faith. So naturally, I was hesitant to consider atheism and question my Christianity.
Eventually, I came to understand faith differently. I believed that truth would triumph over lies when both were placed under scrutiny. Therefore, to fear pitting my Christianity against the criticisms of atheists would be a greater lack of faith in the truth of my beliefs. So I began the journey to consider the criticisms of atheists. A journey that was not so one-sided as I had thought it might be.
This blog series exists as a record of the way this journey has shaped my present position. My intention for this series is not to convince anyone to agree with my position. After all, one of the things I have learned is that my position is both based on my limited and flawed understandings. My intention for this series is to open myself up to criticisms from both sides so that I can discover the limits and flaws of my understanding. Furthermore, so that I can garner assurance from both sides that I have given each a fair shake so to speak.
Should this blog happen to help anyone identify which side they prefer, regardless of the side they choose, I am happy I might have helped you in your journey.
This series is the more condensed, less redundant, up to date version of another version that exists on this blog.
Please read on and leave your thoughts in the comments, and follow for updates as I continue this journey.
Next post: The Imaginary God
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