It must be the shoes!

by guestblogger, BroKen

“Don't judge a person until you've walked a mile in their shoes.” There is a lot of wisdom in that saying. Lately, I've been thinking about “atheist shoes” and “Christian shoes”.

I have a friend who once wore “Christian shoes” but now wears atheist ones. Recently I've heard him make comments about the Christian faith which are totally unfounded. For example, he once objected that the Christian view of heaven seemed boring to him. WHAT? OK, all that most unbelievers think they know about heaven are angels on clouds strumming harps all day long. But intimate conversation with the Creator of everything could never be boring. A Christian, or one who has been a Christian, should know that. He did know once. I fear that he distorts “Christian shoes” in order to justify throwing them away.

Another atheist friend made snide remarks about the faith expressed in my articles online. This lead to a rather long series of exchanges. His comments about the Christian faith were often erroneous and when I attempted to correct him, he would respond with something like, “I've read the Bible. I know what you believe.” It is hard to explain the faith to someone who thinks they know it better than you do! When someone asked why he was so tenacious in his debates with me, he responded that he found people of faith fascinating even though he didn't understand us at all. I suggested that if he wanted to understand us, then he would have to make the effort to step into our shoes, if only hypothetically, to see how we think and why we think that way. He seems unwilling to do that. We haven't had much contact since.

So, I have a question for all my atheist friends. When I put on “atheist shoes” and walk around a bit in them, it seems that life, the universe and everything is all about me. All I've got is a few decades of life and that's it. There is a big universe, but I didn't make the galaxies and I can't do much for them. There are other creatures, including some humans, but ultimately my interest in them derives from their connection to me. If there is no connection to me, then they don't really matter, right? I am the only one who can decide what is valuable and what isn't, for me at least, right?

Am I missing something? I can see how this fundamental narcissism is a good thing for some. It might be kind of nice if everything were all about me. But obviously I'm not very great. I am really not even all that good. Atheists, do you see the problem I'm having? Do you have a solution? Honestly I don't think there is a solution outside of faith in God. But I could be wrong. What are my “atheist shoes” missing? I really want to know.

Comments

[nickrk]

"It is hard to explain the faith to someone who thinks they know it better than you do!"

I would submit that it is impossible. Paul put it best, saying that the atheist, or natural man, does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.

[Lands’nGrooves]

I dunn'o, ignore them?

At a certain point it's not your problem.

tim aka The Godless Heathen

[Ken Berggren]

tim, my problem is that I want to understand. Ignoring does not bring understanding. I do understand some. The Problem of Evil is a biggie. I think we've talked about it. I get it. But so many important things seem lost when God is taken out of the equation. And those important things are not just for me, they also seem important to atheists like you. So, I asked one of my friends, "How do you maintain transcendent values while denying Transcendence?" He got a bit snarky. He never answered the question. I am still asking. I really would like to know. I'm not an atheist, but I would like to walk in the shoes, honestly, though hypothetically. What are my atheist shoes missing?

[Lands’nGrooves]

To a certain point, BroKen, I get your curiosity but what is to be gained but trying to understand something that is not understandable?

Going by this post a some of your related previous posts I would say you seem to be …preoccupied is too strong a word…maybe overly concerned with peoples lack of faith. It seems to go beyond wanting to “save” folks. I guess what I’m trying, and probably poorly, to say is, - let it be.

It’s ALL non-provable, as we’ve discussed before. It’s your opinion, your ‘faith’ is more like it, against someone else’s opinion, or rather lack of ‘faith‘.

I know you’re a good man, BroKen, I admire you concern for people, it’s genuine and sincere. I can tell by you writings and our debates of the last…what’s it been 7/8 years? (Wow!) Just don’t let some atheists interfere with your time better spent elsewhere.

What’s the end game, BroKen, understanding or…changing?

My freekin' 2 cents.

tim aka The Godless Heathen

[Ken Berggren]

Thanks, tim.

Is "obsessed" the word you're looking for? Maybe. There certainly is the desire to "save" folks. The scare quotes are most appropriate. I have no power to "save" anyone. But honestly, few things would give me more pleasure than hearing that some, or even one, of my atheists friends had changed their minds. Even the movement to agnosticism, "Well, maybe there is a God out there somewhere." would please me. So, yeah, I would love to see some change.

But I would settle for understanding. Understanding is good in itself but it also enhances connections between people and promotes peace. I'm not sure there is a better way to spend time.

Your two cents is probably worth much more. Maybe a quarter!

BroKen