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Francis Turner's avatar

I think the last paragraph of her article is the most revealing;

That is why I no longer consider myself a Muslim apostate, but a lapsed atheist. Of course, I still have a great deal to learn about Christianity. I discover a little more at church each Sunday. But I have recognised, in my own long journey through a wilderness of fear and self-doubt, that there is a better way to manage the challenges of existence than either Islam or unbelief had to offer.

(end quote)

I think it is unclear whether she believes in the resurrection. But I think she wants to if she hasn't yet come to do so. Not just for utilitarian reasons but to fill the "God hole" in herself with a meaningful religion.

I also think she is right from a number of perspectives, Christianity used to be robust and proselytize by word and deed to actively seek converts from other religions. Mainstream christian sects have mostly stopped doing that and that is a mistake because it leaves the "god hole" in people to be filled by other less wholesome religions such as radical Islam. Even if you don't believe in the resurrection, behaving in a Christian manner is far far better than behaving according to the mandates of most other religions (Buddhism and Judaism may be equally good, perhaps some others are). The set of behaviors that are defined in the Christian religion are generally good for individuals and good for society as a whole. The world would be a better place if more people tried to be Christian.

[Christianity being better does not of course mean that it is perfect or more importantly that all Christians are good people all the time. All kinds of people claim to be Christian but don't act as though they are. In fact, despite your reluctance to claim to be Christian, I'd say you personally behave in a way that as Christian as anyone. Jesus said (allegedly) "By their fruits shall ye know them" and your generosity, charity and modesty seem pretty much bang on for what Jesus was looking for. That is of course unlike the assholes you grew up with ]

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Rick Fox's avatar

I know that faith is a difficult subject for you so I want to preface this by saying that I am not trying to proselytize to you. I’m only sharing my perspective as someone who grew up with a cult corruption of Christianity (though nothing even 1% comparable to your own experience) and later came to find (what I believe to be) something closer to the real thing.

We both agree that the God you were told about as a child does not exist. In fact, I would say it would likely be better for the people who taught you so incorrectly about God if He did not exist. Millstones and all that.

If the God that I believe exists is real, I think you have nothing to fear. I only know the you that you present online so I can only guess on the basis that it’s at least a reasonably accurate version of your thoughts/beliefs. That said, I don’t think God cares about whether or not you believe in him as much as what you choose to do with the life you have. And it’s clear you’ve tried very hard to be a as good a person as you can and more importantly to better the world around you.

As a Christian, I hope you are able to believe in the God that cares about you and must be very proud of the person you’ve become. But also as a Christian, I don’t think it will change where you’ll end up.

I hope this wasn’t too presumptive on my part. Sorry if it was.

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