about from some scientific explanation, not God? He was rainsed strict baptist, had it shoved down his throat when young & is now almost defiant, makes lame excuses to almost talk himself out of fully believing? What is he really experiencing?
2007-02-22 06:42:48 · 7 answers · asked by COblonde 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
He is confused and probably questioning his early training.
There ain't no 90% proof Christians. It's gotta be all or nothing.
But that isn't to say that Christians cannot disagree about a great number of topics. Lots of other dedicated Christians believe differently than me about a lot of things.
god bless
2007-02-22 06:49:10 · answer #1 · answered by happy pilgrim 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
More than likely this person is rebelling against an aggressive religious upbringing. This, coupled with perhaps an increasing awareness of science as being the best explanation for the existence and functioning of the natural world, may be causing what is known as cognitive dissonance, which, according to Wikipedia is "a psychological term which describes the uncomfortable tension that comes from holding two conflicting thoughts at the same time. More precisely, it is the perception of incompatibility between two cognitions, where 'cognition' is defined as any element of knowledge, including attitude, emotion, belief, or behavior." 1
It is not uncommon for people emerging from a religious upbringing to feel traumatized, resentment at having been deceived (although in all fairness, the "deceivers" are usually believers themselves) through parental and peer pressure plus the influence of the clergy. It is probable, however, that the "10%" of his acceptance of science will not be sufficient to overcome the "90%" religious indoctrination. For that to happen the percentages would have to begin to reverse. What is more than likely to occur is that this person will, as have so many others, find a way to reach an accommodation between logic and emotion.
2007-02-22 15:05:12 · answer #2 · answered by XaurreauX 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think somewhere deep in his heart he is feeling that there has to be a link between science and religion. I think that the biggest mistake that religion makes is to not accept many of the the good things that come from science. In some religions I would be considered a heretic to say that religion explains what God did. Science explains how he did it. God used science in creating us. We don't understand all of it yet, but that is how he did it. He allows us to learn only certain things. Other things he hides for wise purposes known only to him.
Perhaps what he is really experiencing is his spirit trying to help find a straighter path to God. When he opens up to the possibilities and humbly and sincerely seeks the answers from God, he will find them. For God giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not. (See James 1)
Stay with him, be at his side, and together you will find the path God has reserved for you both.
2007-02-22 15:40:56 · answer #3 · answered by rbarc 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If I were you I would tell your friend to find out if his view on evolution can be backed up scientifically by laws of nature. In my science class my teacher and us disproved evolution. Tell your friend this example. You know the skeleton of the woolly mammoth that they found with the Dna and Meat still on it. Well it turns out that DNA can only survive 10,000 years max. According to evolution these died out over 60,000 years ago. You should also know that they found a T-REX skeleton that had red blood cells still in its bones, along with some muscle tendons, well it turns out that they found it in ice, well you know what Red blood cells only last like 50 years after death even in ice. The Big bang has huge chucks of missing information so that is incorrect. You must help out your friend by using his 10% to push him to full believer. He became a believer because he saw the lies in life, help to disprove the other 10% and you have a saved soul.
2007-02-22 14:49:45 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He's experiencing what many of us experience, including myself. You want and usually do believe that we were created by a fair and loving God. Then things happen that make us second guess, scientific research pushing for evolution, cruel fate, etc.
2007-02-22 14:47:41 · answer #5 · answered by cotton~candy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps experimenting with rebelling against upbringing. Perhaps his true beliefs are repressed and trying to escapeor it could just be experimenting.
2007-02-22 14:47:19 · answer #6 · answered by xxxlalala 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Science and religion can go hand-in-hand.
2007-02-22 14:45:51 · answer #7 · answered by substance_of_desire 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋