A Faith for Critical Thinkers | Rev. Adam Hamilton | Church of the Resurrection

[@tabie.519]

I feel so validated.

[@brucebratman3331]

"This (COR) is a church you don't have to check your brain in at the door." Amen Pastor Adam 😊

[@adamcosper3308]

One of the few things that gives me some hope for America is that church affiliation is on a downward trend. We really need to get past these outdated myths and engage with the real world that we know so much more about than the gospel authors could have imagined.

[@CynthiaZadeh]

Wonder! Thank you so much! 😊

[@MrFossil367ab45gfyth]

Critical thinking is something that we need in these times we live in. But, I believe faith and reason can coexist, I've seen people online say that critical thinkers can't have faith or believe in the claims of religion. But who is to define who is a "critical thinker" or not? My definition of one is someone who seeks to understand things with an open mind, ask questions and gains insight to different view points. They also value truth most importantly. I may value all this, but I also value freedom to believe what we want "including my own". It is ok to question your faith and have doubts. But there are many resources out there such as apologetics that can help one sort through their doubts and find meaning, logical, satisfying answers.

[@JamesRichardWiley]

Faith is not critical thinking. A man made Hebrew god that always existed and has a son is not reality.

[@AldousHuxleysCat]

Wow is that a bad sentence what you mean is a faith where critical thinking is not only not allowed but highly discouraged. What is that thing about don't let your intellect interfere with your faith

[@Bill_Garthright]

A faith for critical thinkers? If you're a critical thinker, you'd know that there is nothing - *nothing* - so crazy, so harmful, or so wrong that it _can't_ be defended by an appeal to faith. If you're a critical thinker and you actually care about the _truth,_ you'd be evidence-based, not faith-based. This is all about emotion, of course. "Authentic." "Welcoming." "Compelling." There's no critical thinking in that. It's all about appealing to our emotions. And there's nothing wrong with feelings. We're not robots. We do have feelings. But if you care about the _truth_ of your beliefs, you should require more than just comforting feelings. I've had lots of Christians tell me that they don't _care_ if their beliefs are true or not, because they want to believe this stuff, anyway. Well,... that's up to them. But I _do_ care about the truth. That's why I'm evidence-based, not faith-based. That's why I try to apportion my beliefs to the evidence. Evidence, after all, is how we distinguish reality from delusion and wishful-thinking. So, how about one piece of good evidence, specific enough and in enough detail that I can judge it for myself, that your god is real, rather than just imaginary? Just *one,* please. Why is *one* to much to ask? Alternately, since you're Christian, I'd accept *one piece of good evidence* that _any_ of the magical/supernatural stories in the Bible actually happened. Your choice. And I will _give_ you a guy named Jesus who was crucified by the Romans. Sure, you were taught to believe this as a child, and you really, really _want_ it to be true. I understand that. And I'm sure you enjoy the fellowship of other members of your tribe. Emotion is important in human lives. But are your beliefs _true?_ Is there any reason to think that your religious beliefs are actually _true?_ Not that I've ever heard. And I've been surrounded by Christians all my life. (I was raised Methodist, in fact, although the particular denomination didn't seem to matter very much back before religion got so political here in America. These days, it's all politics, isn't it?)

[@MrFossil367ab45gfyth]

I see the points you make. But who are you to say how or what a "critical thinker" thinks or does? So "critical thinkers" can't have faith-based beliefs? Just because one bases something on faith "religious or not" doesn't make them any less of a critical thinker than one who doesn't use faith.

[@Bill_Garthright]

@@MrFossil367ab45gfyth _"But who are you to say how or what a "critical thinker" thinks or does?"_ I'm me. And I explained why I think that. Didn't you read my comment? Here, I'll quote myself: "If you're a critical thinker, you'd know that there is nothing - *nothing* - so crazy, so harmful, or so wrong that it _can't_ be defended by an appeal to faith." Faith is indistinguishable from wishful-thinking. Disagree? Then show me something so wrong that it can't be defended by an appeal to faith. Better yet, show me that *one piece of good evidence* I asked for. If you're a theist, do you have *anything* distinguishable from wishful-thinking backing up your religious beliefs?