Comments on: Faith is not a choice: some thoughts on William Lobdell

By: Michael Krahn

Michael Krahn — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 03:19:37 +0000

here’s a link that works:

http://tinyurl.com/2rfe93

By: Michael Krahn

Michael Krahn — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 03:18:43 +0000

Hey,

I have an article on Lobdell up at:

http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/212428/Reporter_Seeks_To_Defend_Religion_Loses

_Faith_Instead

Enjoy!

By: Benton

Benton — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 13:16:25 +0000

I read a book a while ago and it keeps coming back to answer many questions that seem to arise. That book is by James Fowler called Stages of Faith. One tenent of his theory is that what many people consider “losing their faith” is really movement to a different level of faith. If we just stick with the discomfort, we will emerge with a more mature and useful faith. An overview can be found here: http://www.knowtown.com/epicjourneys/wp-content/stages.doc

I have begun to think of being “born again” not as a movement to or within stage three faith, but more as the movement through stage four faith into stage five fatih. This movement involves the pain of giving up the black and white of stage three and the comfort that either/or provides. Moving through the unknowns of stage four and then emerging into a more mature (and I would say more useful) stage five faith. Unfortunately, people see stage four as “Losing your faith” and don’t proceed on.

By: Warren Throckmorton » Blog Archive » Is religious belief a choice?

Warren Throckmorton » Blog Archive » Is religious belief a choice? — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 03:21:30 +0000

[…] In the ongoing discussion of sexual identity therapy, some have asserted that sexual orientation is not a choice but religion is (“The bottom line is your sexual orientation cannot change and your religion can,” [Wayne] Besen said.”). That struck me as a failure to understand the function and centrality of religious belief for those who are committed to it. On point, a reader and commenter over at ExGayWatch named “jasmine” linked to a blog post by Hugo Schwyzer who in turn linked to an article by ex-LA Times-religion-writer William Lobdell. Mr. Lobdell has experienced a crisis of faith and no longer views himself as a believer. […]

By: Kelly

Kelly — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 20:23:43 +0000

I participate in the church for many (not all) of the same reasons that I participate in democracy. Both are human institutions with many flaws, but maybe even my tiny efforts can make a difference.

By: mythago

mythago — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 19:32:22 +0000

Denker, Anne Lamott (a Christian) once pointed out that you can be pretty sure you’ve remade God in your own image when He just happens to hate all the same people you do.

By: Hugo Schwyzer

Hugo Schwyzer — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 05:06:27 +0000

Denker, this is a meditation on faith, not an open forum to attack faith. Please be respectful to the views of your host, and respond to the article cited or my thoughts thereon.

As for a command, it’s called the Great Commission. See Mark 16:15. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%2016:15;&version=72;

By: Denker

Denker — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 00:50:03 +0000

I think my biggest question for the US is: Why not just worship in private, whatever God or being or whatever you want to worship? Is there some kind of command, like there apparently is with Islam, to force your views on others?

And I’m getting this from mainstream Web sites. I lean to the (secular) right politically, but I see idiots like Doug Giles on Townhall.com almost on the verge of condemning people to Hell who won’t do exactly what he friggin’ says. WTF? Just enjoy your own 70 virgins, or Heaven or whatever.

I’m coming to the point of view that religion has killed nearly as many people as Communism and Stalinism.

By: Antigone

Antigone — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 00:40:57 +0000

Denker, since that would pretty much violate all scientific ethics, we’ll never try that one. but you’re possibly right.

By: Denker

Denker — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 00:20:15 +0000

Take a usual assortment of dolts - the slightly retarded, hide-away child in a Royal Family in Europe; a housewife who dropped out in 9th grade (or even one who finished college, but 20 years later); Cindy Sheehan; Katie Couric; a full-time teacher at a community college; or even Brittney Spears - and you could shape their environment so that they believe pretty much anything you want them to believe. Just set up the right stimulation via TV, radio, people around them etc. and you could have them worshiping Gorzo, the ultimate being, who arose from a corn cob, in no time.