How much are we historically indebted to religion(s) for our morality, and how much are we dependent upon religion to live decent, meaningful lives today?
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Dan Dennett Study On Preachers Who Do Not Believe
There's a story about the study in the Washington Post here. You can read the study here.
i wasn't in the clergy, but having been a youth worker and bible quiz coach for several years, i flatter myself to think i may have at least some inkling of what it is to go through some of the things described in this study.
(i have read the article, but only cracked the study itself yet)
i know that, for me, it was excruciating to feel my faith slipping.
to find myself having to "tow the party line" but not truly believing it any longer...
i only managed to stay in that place for a few months: the weight of feeling like i was lying soon overtook any fear of shame and loss i felt coming from excusing myself as a leader (and then very quickly, as a church-goer at all).
and to be clear: there was massive loss.
when i renounced my faith and stepped out of my role(s) in my church, few and far between were those whom i considered dear friends who stayed by my side.
in a way this is understandable: it's a bit like being unequally yoked.
and yet...
to this day i mourn the loss of some of those relationships.
this is fascinating stuff to me.
ReplyDeletei wasn't in the clergy, but having been a youth worker and bible quiz coach for several years, i flatter myself to think i may have at least some inkling of what it is to go through some of the things described in this study.
(i have read the article, but only cracked the study itself yet)
i know that, for me, it was excruciating to feel my faith slipping.
to find myself having to "tow the party line" but not truly believing it any longer...
i only managed to stay in that place for a few months: the weight of feeling like i was lying soon overtook any fear of shame and loss i felt coming from excusing myself as a leader (and then very quickly, as a church-goer at all).
and to be clear: there was massive loss.
when i renounced my faith and stepped out of my role(s) in my church, few and far between were those whom i considered dear friends who stayed by my side.
in a way this is understandable: it's a bit like being unequally yoked.
and yet...
to this day i mourn the loss of some of those relationships.