I really like it. Since I'm something of a science-minded guy (slide rule), it calls me to remind myself of the difference between true faith in God and some kind of "poor man's insurance system." In your answer, pay special attention to that last sentence.
"[Certain believers] don't really have faith but a kind of false certainty. They operate by the slide rule and the Church for them is not the body of Christ but the poor man's insurance system. It's never hard for them to believe because actually they never think about it. Faith has to take in all the other possibilities it can." -- Flannery O'Connor, 1957
2007-09-05 11:02:26 · 6 answers · asked by Acorn 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Ottoman: :) A good man shore is hard to find.
2007-09-05 11:12:15 · update #1
I think a lot of believers just believe because they think it will keep them from going to hell. They don't question anything. I question things in the Bible and I look at other ideas, other faiths. At the end, I always maintain my belief that my faith is the right one for me. I think examining religious beliefs is the best way to understand and be sure of what one believes in. But I never completely shut out the possibility that there could be other paths to God which are as good as mine.
2007-09-05 12:39:38 · answer #1 · answered by Michael B - Prop. 8 Repealed! 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am not familiar with this author but will check 'em out at my next opportunity.
It did touch a cord in me. My ex is a heavy duty bible person I on the other hand question everything. I do not have faith to get into heaven as I believe it's not a members only club.
However my faith really has no religion. I've had the the most difficult life experiences and each time I've had the inner knowledge that I need to be still & not control what's happing to trust in the universe/the divine that all is as it should be.
When I don't struggle when I take that leap of faith I have always fallen flat on my feet.
Yes faith is the ability to take in many possibilities.
2007-09-08 18:21:03 · answer #2 · answered by theladygeorge 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is the way I look at it, take no man's word without first looking at what he said. A man quotes the Bible, verse by verse but shortens the last verse to make his point. If the verse was finished the point would be different. Is he right or wrong?
2007-09-05 19:25:54 · answer #3 · answered by Coop 366 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Going to church and tithing don't really benefit our souls. A religious person likes to think that it does, but without faith and true spiritual growth, it is all for naught.
2007-09-05 18:12:39 · answer #4 · answered by Soul Shaper 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Faith is a closing of the mind to logic, reasoning and critical thinking.
2007-09-05 18:09:23 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 5⤋
i like this one better (paraphrasing, so don't split hairs):
"she'd a been a good woman, if she'd just had someone to shoot her every day of her life"
2007-09-05 18:08:16 · answer #6 · answered by Tragic Tapas 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋