Respectful question for Christians?

Question

One of the books I was reading was about the philosophy of authentic and inauthentic life. Specifically it was about the movie the Matrix and about how those who are plugged in are not living authentic lifes. But it relates to the real world in that there are people who choose as a defense mechanism a fictional reality to deal with pain, and in doing so they are living an inauthentic life not dealing with the real root cause of the pain.

So, to Christians, do you think you are living an authentic life (obviously the answer to this is yes because you still live it). Based on that, do you feel that non-Christians are living INAUTHENTIC lifes, that is, those of us who are non-Chrsitian are living an inauthentic life, that we created for ourselves, and if we did this, why do you think we did that?

Answer 1

Jim, Jim, Jim. What are we going to do with you? This is about the 4th respectful question you have asked today.
I do believe that non-Christians are avoiding reality and have fooled themselves into thinking that life is going to end in a happily ever after fairy tale. Some have created their own little world to live in and have even figured out how it is all to come to an end. Not only is this inauthentic it is a loss of reality.

Answer 2

I understand what your saying, and like you said, true Christians, not just the ones that carry the name for eternal insurance purposes but those that have a viable relationship with God on a daily basis are living an authentic life. When you are in the christian circles for even a short while, you see the Spirit of God working in peoples lives all the time, you see miracles happen in small and big ways. You see lives transformed, and you experience the move of God in your life continuously.
There are alot of very intelligent people that have a sincere relationship with God daily, it is more real than you can imagine.
Those who are not living that way I wouldn't call inauthentic, it's just that is all they know. They hear unloving people condemn them for their lifestyles and grow bitter. I would say that their goals, ambitions and focus in life is inauthentic because it has no lasting value. So someone gives a piece of bread to a hungry child, that child wont be hungry for the next couple hours but what has that done for their soul. That starving child may die the next day and they were no better for that act of compassion than if it never happened. Those who give that bread out of their love for God and tell that child about how they might have a relationship with God themselves, they honor God in the process, they love that child because of the love of God in their own lives and the Spirit of God touches that childs soul and delivers that love in a way no man could. That type of life lived is authentic and lasting......eternally.

Answer 3

Hi.

All humans have so called defense mechanisms to deal with the curve balls life throws at us, or in a Christians case, the tests of faith that God puts before us. For some it is religion, for others it is drugs/alcohol... for some, it is asking difficult questions on Yahoo! Answers (smile)... some cry, some lash out, some take vacations, etc... It all depends on the person. And since all humans have some kind of defense mechanism to get them through difficult times, then by your word, everyone is living in a "fictional reality"... including yourself.

But on to your question...

Do you believe you are living an authentic life since you do not believe in God... and do you think Christians are living inauthentic lives since we turn to God (who is not real in your opinion) to help us overcome the pain in our lives instead of facing "life" problems alone?

And if the way a human deals with life's problems (pain) is the way which one judges whether or not a human lives an authentic life, then my question is... who sets the criterion?

What does your philosophy book say about that?

For Christians, God sets that criteria. God tells us (via the Bible) what to do when we are overwhelmed by grief, pain and hardship, so we may overcome it. God tells us how to deal with all of life's problems. God also tells us that if we live an "authentic" life-- if we follow what standards God has given us-- God will reward us for doing so.

Now to answer your other questions. Do Christians think that non-Christians are living inauthentic lives?

Every Christian will have a different opinion. But I will give you my personal view on that question.

Only the person living the life knows if his/her life is authentic... and for Christians, God knows too. Many people live "fake" lives. They show the world one thing, and inside, feel another. Or worse, they show the world that they live this life, and behind closed doors, do things that contradict the life they want others to think they live.

The reasons a person might want to live a "fake" life are probably endless.

:)
God Bless...
T.

Answer 4

No, but we are also playing games with definitions here too. Living an authentic life is either a) a privledge or b) the result of ascetism. Anyone can do b if they really wish to and a happens if you live in a rich culture and are free from violence.

Of course you can be poor and not an ascetic and live an authentic life, but it is very difficult. One must have a high degree of personal autonomy to do such a thing.

Faith and authenticity are unrelated UNLESS you are not living your belief system OR your belief system is a self destructive load of hooey.

If you would like to see a good example of an inauthentic life to an authentic life, there is a good movie out about St. Anthony of Padua. It is in Italian but has subtitles. It is very hard to find so if you really are interested, it is worth watching. He actually lead an ordinary but privledged life, followed by an inauthentic life, followed by an authentic life.
http://shop.leafletonline.com/Leaflet/product_family.asp?family%5Fid=1214&gift=False&0=dept%2Easp%2Cdept%5Fid%3D204%26menu%5Fid%3D%26Tree%3D%2CMedia&1=dept%2Easp%2Cdept%5Fid%3D221%26menu%5Fid%3D%26Tree%3D0%2CVideos&2=dept%2Easp%2Cdept%5Fid%3D227%26menu%5Fid%3D%26Tree%3D1%2COther%20Videos&mscssid=08EEC32F357504D159DCB124EBA3DB46

I have been debating a related but different issue. Gandhi wrote that it would be impossible for an atheist or an agnostic to be a satyagrahi (non-violent warrior). I think he is correct, but I would like your opinion. Of course you really need to read a lot of Gandhi to do the question justice. But, without doing such a thing, do you think there is a ground of being upon which an atheist could stand as a sacrifice of self for peace?

Answer 5

Ah, another reason to love the Matrix. Chock-full of philosophy. :)

Honestly, I wouldn't be so sure that I'm living an "authentic" life. I understand the prospect that what I believe, based solely on my own internal experience, may not be the truth to come at the end of my days. The more important question might be, which makes a person more happy? Living a life in what others might consider a delusion feels like a more real and satisfying life to me, and what's the harm in that? It would be beneficial to everyone if they concentrated on making their own lives balanced and happy first, instead of trying to alter other people's points of view or opinions. If we all had a chance to choose- peacefully and unadulteratedly- for ourselves what sort of life we lived, everyone's own reality would feel authentic to them, and that is all that would matter.

Answer 6

I don't know about anyone else, but being a christian is not exactly what you'd call pain free.

I think christians and non-christians can be viewed as both living an "unauthentic life" by different parties. If you compare the two very different views, Christians can be seen as creating an afterlife to avoid the painfulness of potentially no heaven, and your physical body being the only body you have.

On the other hand non-christians, can be seen as avoiding the painfulness of sacrificing the only happiness they can fathom ever having, their things and their acts that they enjoy but would have to give up to become a christian ( not to say that many christians don't partake in these acts, or don't love their things)

anyway although I am a very inwardly spiritual person... I can see what your saying, but what I don't understand is why you pose these types of questions over and over again, are you bitter, or are you just trying to stimulate an interesting discussion, or are you simply trying to stir up some controversy

I don't mind as long as people respect other peoples views and don't post offensive and ignorant questions.


I would just like to know your story.

Answer 7

No. I consider myself christian, but I don't think other people who have other religions or are atheists don't have authentic lives. I have my faith, but I don't consider this faith the only valid way to live. I may be searching for meaning through this life, but each human being has a quest of his own, that is sacred. I could never call theirs, an inauthentic life.

Answer 8

I think that non-Christians are living an authentic life. I also believe that both Mr. Anderson and Neo were living an authentic life. Those that were in the matrix didn't know their life was a dream anymore than we know whether Morpheus and Neo woke up from that dream just to end up in another one. What if Zion was part of the Matrix as well and they just didn't know it? "What is real?" Great question!

It's 100% philosophy. It opens your mind, but there's not a lot of day to day answers in it.

Answer 9

kind of fuzzy question, but
I am a Christian, and I have a relationship with Jesus. How do I know, because I talk to him every day, just like I talk to my friend's. We were put on earth to love one another, and to do GOD'S will. If your not doing that, yes, I think you are living an non-authentic life, because what is the purpose of your llife? Is it to sleep with as many people and make as much $$ as you can. I used to live that way, but Ive found the Way, the Truth, and the Life through the HOLY TRINITY. The Alpha and the Omega. Lord JESUS the CHRIST

Answer 10

Essentially, we are all living unfulfilled and, so to speak, inauthentic lives, Christian and non-Christian alike. The difference between Christians and non-Christians, I believe, lies in the hope for an authentic life to come. Our lives are unfulfilled on this earth because we were not designed for this, and until we are united with Christ in Glory, our lives will continue to be lacking.