Questioning

Posted on | May 7, 2006 | No Comments

Our cultural reluctance to question faith is deep.  It’s a part of our Christian culture.  It amazes me that we are still afraid of being labeled as heretics. Didn’t persecution of heresy end? Apparently not.  I know of whole communities labeled as “Catholic” or “Lutheran” or “Dutch-reformed” towns where to not follow the party line leads to ostracism.

It was hard for me to question my faith because the doctrine of my up-bringing had made questioning the “meaning” or the “message” presented by the minister equivalent to questioning “God” – and in my church “man” didn’t question “God.” Questioning the dogmas of the religion was like a refusal to bow my head during prayer – an in-your-face, I-dare-you-to-strike-me-down challenge to the almighty. I questioned. I wasn’t struck dead by lightening.  In fact, the lightening that struck me was more powerful.  I was struck by a deep feeling that God was smiling at my willingness to actively engage in my religion – making it personal and profound rather than rote and ignorant.

You know what?  I think God smiles when we have the maturity to question the world around us.  After all, if we believe God is all-powerful, then what does he (or she) have to hide? Doesn’t our willingness to question God and explore the answers and the results of his creation seem similar to asking a craftsman to share the inner workings of a masterpiece?  I’ve never met a creator who was not excited and happy to be questioned about his creation. Why should it be different with God?  I think one think that anyone should understand that questioning religion – especially Christianity – is not the same as disrespecting God.  We’re not questioning God, but rather questioning the humans who have attempted to share their experiences with God.  Some of these (mostly men) individuals may have been “divinely inspired” – but other motivations might have come into play.  If George W. Bush or John Kerry would have claimed “divine inspiration” for their policies we would have been right to question them.  Aren’t we justified in questioning historical authors (maybe even multiple authors for the same biblical “book”) – especially in light of their internal contradictions.

I think the honest answer may be that the early church leadership was motivated by un-Godlike goals – replacing their personal agendas and unsupportable positions for the real spiritual truths.  Maybe it was easier for them to discourage questioning rather than answer the inevitable questions.

What happens when we start to question? I think most people feel guilty the first time they affirmatively question their own religion.  Questioning our religion is like questioning God, our Parents, our Culture, sometimes our spouse, and definitely our souls all at one time.  That’s not a simple undertaking. Eventually our questioning can lead to a more real and profound spiritual experience.  We can embrace the “Christ” within each of us and really understand the Bible and other scriptural literature available to us today.

Comments