Category Archives: Faith

True freedom Part 3: For the believer, it is crazy to ever desire freedom from God Let’s see what the believer’s response is to these three elements of freedom that the atheist desires. The first freedom from God’s scrutiny and judgement assumes a negative view of God, who makes you feel bad. Ditching such aContinue reading “True freedom. Part 3”

True freedom Part 2: There’s a lot more freedom the atheist wants – but is it really all about sex? Then – and in tune with the first point –there is the freedom to make your own moral code. As an atheist, you reject the very concept of having to submit to a moral codeContinue reading “True freedom. Part 2”

(An analysis comparing the atheist’s freedom and the believer’s freedom, in 7 parts) True freedom Part 1: The atheist wants to be free of God I understand some of the appeal of atheism. There is the invigorating sense of being a truly free, independent agent. You are standing on your own two feet; you haveContinue reading “True freedom. Part 1”

Addressing the issue of self-hatred in Christianity Part 3: God’s love always offers us more Now, I believe, we find the basis for those words that might be taken as signs of self-hatred, but which are, in fact, the opposite – and, in fact, a sign of the believer being taken beyond themselves in loveContinue reading “Addressing the issue of self-hatred in Christianity. Part 3”

Addressing the issue of self-hatred in Christianity Part 2: Turning to God always produces goodness I do not deny for a moment that this completely positive message can be distorted, either by official bodies in the Church or through the personal woundedness of individuals who twist the doctrines about sin into a form of self-harm.Continue reading “Addressing the issue of self-hatred in Christianity. Part 2”

(In 3 parts) Addressing the issue of self-hatred in Christianity Part 1: A firm foundation I notice in my devotional language that I use words that suggest a degree of self-hatred: eg “I detest my failures and am not worthy to even look at you”. Yet my self-understanding is that I go through life withContinue reading “Addressing the issue of self-hatred in Christianity. Part 1”

40%. Why 40% of the public have made a mistake Part 4: God can be understood as the embodiment of profound principles, but, somehow, if we try to extract the principles from the person, they crumble into dust Hence my bold and aggravating assertion that 40% of the population have made a mistake. Once weContinue reading “40%. Why 40% of the public have made a mistake. Part 4”

40%. Why 40% of the public have made a mistake Part 3: God is not a figure created by faith, but having faith is a vital ingredient of discovering God – it is the classic “chicken and egg” situation I think the conclusion of this bit of intense reasoning is that when believers say thatContinue reading “40%. Why 40% of the public have made a mistake. Part 3”

40%. Why 40% of the public have made a mistake Part 2: Look deeper, and you will find a God worth believing in For me, God is the awareness of the depth and wonder of life, the over-flowing joy in living. He is the call to righteousness, to live according to goodness, truth and love.Continue reading “40%. Why 40% of the public have made a mistake. Part 2”

(In 4 parts) 40%.  Why 40% of the public have made a mistake Part 1: I agree: there’s no point believing in a God who is not worthy of the definition A recent census survey showed that 40% of British people are not religious. This is an answer that reveals a self-confident rejection of beliefContinue reading “40%.  Why 40% of the public have made a mistake. Part 1”