When it comes to making big decisions in our lives: having children, getting married, changing careers, etc. we tend to take our time weighing the pros and cons. Lately, I've been asked if I'm going to buy a new car. This starts a flurry of questions in my head (if I do end up deciding to buy a car): What kind of car should I buy? A gently used car? A brand-new car? Does the car have good gas mileage? Can it handle rough terrain well? Is it a car that will last? How big of a car do I need? These are all questions I should have answered before I decide what kind of car to buy. These questions are not based on my emotions, they are legitimate questions every potential car buyer asks themselves. Yet, once you get to the dealership something strange usually happens. Unless you are properly prepared, you don't get to ask all those questions you had about your potential purchase. The car salesman immediately greets you with a warm smile and friendly demeanor and soon enough you're doing a lot of listening and not a lot of asking.
When I was religious, I found myself in the same position as a potential car buyer, if I had questions they were dismissed with responses such as: "It's God's will" or "Just pray about it & God will answer all your questions", and one of my personal favorite useless responses "You're not supposed to question God". To which I would always ask more questions. If God gave me a brain that is naturally curious about the world, then why am I not supposed to ask questions? Am I supposed to be obedient no matter the consequences? That sounds like a god I don't want to have a relationship with. I was taught that the best results occur through cooperation and mutual respect and not subordinancy. For this reason alone, I am a doubter in this all-powerful God that so many speak so highly of.
Yet, that does not mean I will be a doubter for life. Most freethinkers at one point or another in their life were religious; some very deeply so. I have found that most freethinkers are ones who listen to all arguments, are most willing to change their minds, and suspend belief in anything until rational justification and evidence are presented.
The conversations I have had with religious people usually end up involve people being offended. This blog probably offends some people but you don't have to read it. As much as I have the choice to not listen to the believers. I have found that a lot of believers out there don't read my blog just because of the topics presented inside. If you're entire worldview is based upon saving my "soul" from eternal damnation wouldn't you want to know what I believe and why as an insight to my moral code, my personality, and my beliefs in general? This is why I read blogs of people from the other sides of the religious spectrum. When you talk to someone that is open-minded, then your conversations can be mneaningful even if no one changes their mind in the end. Yet, if you go into a religious discussion not willing to change your mind, then why listen to the other side at all?
I have changed my mind many times when it comes to matters of faith or lack thereof. How many times have you?
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