Ripples: From Faith to Reason

Dan attacks blind-faith and nonrational thought. He shows a few examples of believers who convince themselves that the Bible is telling the truth, or "pretend that Jesus is real". He also shows some dialogue with a couple believers who are not comfortable with the brutality and destructive power of sin.

Further in the chapter Dan describes another situation between a crazed lady, a supposed believer, and his mother, whom had just left the faith.

Many of us may well know throughout all human history you'll find countless examples of irrational, crazy people, pretenders, and just the plain stupid in just about any religion or any non-religion. This doesn't make the teachings of the religions themselves any less or more valid. It's the teachings that need to be analyzed with life. We don't believe in people specifically, we believe in God. People will make mistakes, but the bible will remain true and accurate. Even "if" we mis-translate it, sometimes, the core meaning is always there for others to find.

In this chapter I was reminded once again, be careful of religion, but never abandon truth and what you know. Religion can force you into a practice that you have not given reason to. Does anyone want to follow a blind lead? Of course not! Does anyone question those who lead them, at least in the beginning before gaining trust? I hope so!

Further in the chapter Dan describes his own definition of love. I thought this was interesting, that Dan has positioned himself as god, and not only himself, but all mankind, as mini-gods. He believes that we are all able to define such things as love and goodness by our own logic. Dan likes to define love and goodness as things that make people in one setting most happy, that these definitions "know no barriers". But what happens in a setting where one act makes one person happy and another upset or harmed?

1 Cor. 13:4-7 (NLT) Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

Another comment I thought funny was when Dan describes getting "the religious monkey off [his] back". Something we might all want to do sometime, and think about what we believe in or are doing.