This week I have had a few discussions with people who believe the Bible is inerrant and believe the god it speaks of is real. They all seem to believe similarly to how I use to believe. What really stuck out to me about those conversations is how all of the other people involved refused to be truly informed about any view that opposed their own. Each person was different in the way they approached their information and learning.

One person told me they would not read any literature that was not in line with what the bible says. (I think it is probably more accurate to say they would not read anything that they were scared might oppose their view of what the Bible says.) Another seemed to wait for my answers or questions and then would just go look for information that refuted whatever I said. They were really hung up on one particular website and got most of their information from it. The last person seemed to not really have any information or references to any research, but they claimed they are well read and have researched greatly both sides of the issues we had discussed. They claimed they were right and could prove it, but they never provided any evidence, much less proof of their assertions.

I am not all that intelligent. I have shown my ignorance on my blog many times. If you follow me, you will see me make mistakes in my thinking and my logic, but I am learning! I am open to understanding. I want real answers. I want to believe the truth even if it isn’t comfortable. I am open to understanding anyone’s point of view, and open to changing mine.

I got where I am by being able to admit I could be wrong and objectively looking at the world from a point of view I disagreed with my whole life. I am serious when I say, “I will gladly believe in god if someone can show me proper evidence that god exists.” I would then have to examine that god to know weather I would be willing to follow, obey, or worship that god.

I believe the truth is true wether I believe it or not. I think it is important to truly look at arguments on both sides of any discussion to get a better understanding. I constantly remind myself not to just look to discredit someone if they see things differently than I do. I do not just look for information that opposes someone else’s view point.

If I disagree with someone I do try to find out why I disagree. I try to explain to them why I disagree. If they know what I think and can show me it’s wrong I can learn from them. I want to learn!

I did not see that same desire in the people I have mentioned above. It is my opinion that they do not want to know the truth in the matters we discussed.

Look, if you are right in your beliefs then it will not hurt you to fully understand any and all opposing viewpoint. They will have flaws and you will get conformation you are right! If you are wrong, the best way to find out is to look at other ideas or ways of thinking. It is pretty simple.

If you believe in god and don’t want to be objective about the possibility that god might not exist try to understand why. Some people just cannot handle the thought that their life is not what they want. They cling to the comfort of a pleasant afterlife. I am sure there are atheist who have not really looked to see if the evidence supports their belief. I am sure there are people who are scared god might exist and cling to atheism. They hope there is no god.

My eyes were truly opened for the first time in my life when I finally got to the point of being able to say. “I am willing to accept god for whomever he/she/it might be, realizing I may be wrong or even doomed, but I am also willing to accept the idea that god might not exist. Since that moment life has been difficult, but it makes sense. I do not have to justify anything I don’t understand. I can objectively look for the truth in matters. I am not obligated to making things fit into a pre-existing point of view.

I really challenge the religious, the atheist, agnostics, and anyone else I might have missed to spend this week really trying to understand those with whom you disagree. Try to make an argument that supports their claims. We have all been wrong before. Maybe this week we can all learn something.