The Closer You Get to Something...

Hey all! Hopefully everyone is (finally) enjoying the goodness and relaxation of summer. I just got off last week and hung out in SoCal for a week with some family. It was good stuff, but makes it really hard to believe I've already been on break for about 10 days haha. Anyways, I'm still gonna be trying to write every two weeks and what not while also working on a bigger writing project. So, these posts might be a bit shorter/not as thought out as liked, but we'll see!

Anyways, one of the things that I've noticed (and other people that I've talked to as well) is that there seems to be some people that are harder to talk to than others. I'm not trying to reference a social setting, such as that some people are just more socially awkward than others (something I'm victim to hahah). But, there seem to be some people that hold onto ideas so tightly that there is no changing any of what they think. Sometimes, just disagreeing with one of their idea can seem like a personal insult to them. Thus, talking about anything different just seems futile and a waste of time...

It's interesting to meet people like this, for it can be cool to see such dedication and passion towards ideas. Yet, at some points, it can also be frustrating, for someone who won't change their views on anything can almost seem irrational at some points. For example, just bringing up ideas for discussion sometimes just go ignored or get shot down before a full presentation, as if it's all been seen before...

Now before anyone says anything, yes, I am also thinking of Christians when I say this. It's interesting, really... Sometimes, inside the Christian community, one with such resolution and dedication can be viewed as quite admirable and an example for others. Yet, outside of the Christian community, some of the stuff dedicated Christians can be seen as religious fanatics... In a very stereotyped sense (again, please don't think I'm saying everyone is this way!), these people can seem irrational since they hold on to their beliefs so tightly. Again, no matter what one must say, it seems as if there is no convincing them that there may be other possibilities to a situation. There are many hypothetical situations where one may have seen this, such as the use of Bible verses to support any situation one may be in. Please note that I'm not saying whether or not the usage of these verses is accurate, but simply that the usage of them can help to reinforce one in their beliefs...

Hmm... Even though this does seem to be a situation really prevalent in today's Christian community, not everyone has to be this way. Perhaps the best way to explain this is to reference Dr. Lennox, a speaker at UCLA's Veritas Forum. Dr. Lennox is a Christian who got his degrees in philosophy of science, among other things. One of the things that someone asked him is if he would ever change from his belief of Christianity (somewhat poking at the irrationality of some Christians). His answer was yes, but it would honestly be very difficult. Christianity is something that he's researched for many years and believes that there is a great deal of evidence for. Yet, if sufficient evidence was to present itself going against the cores of Christianity (such as the falsification of the resurrection), then he would be likely to change his beliefs. But, such evidence would have to be very convincing and great... Dr. Lennox compared it to his belief in his wife's fidelity. If I remember correctly, he said that he's been married to his wife for about 34 years, and she has given no sigh that she's ever been unfaithful. Thus, it would be very difficult to convince him that his wife was/is unfaithful, yet there is still that possibility.

I think this is possibly the best mentality to adapt... It's not conviction to the point of irrationality, but it also shows passion and dedication towards what one may believe. Yet, some people may point out that it's good in theory and not practice, since evidence may be presented against ideas yet people still believe in them. Thus, I guess this may be more of a prescriptive (how it should be) view of beliefs rather than a descriptive (how it actually is) view of beliefs... Nevertheless, just being aware of this balance may help guide some people towards having more of an openness towards this sort of idea... So yes, this ending is somewhat abrupt, but my brain does not seem to be wanting to think of what to write next. So, I think I'll just end on this quick note, and I hope that I have given you some food for thought...