The
Answer Is
42
Introduction
These essays poke into issues, concerns,
and perspectives related in various ways to questions of who we are,
how we got here, what it’s
all about, Alfie.
Plenty of people, and plenty of them
much smarter than I, have kicked these things around for centuries, even
millennia. This just shows, in probably way too much mind-numbing detail,
how I got where I am. And if that helps you, good.)
(For a grossly oversimplified presentation
of some key positions argued here, see an article published online in Campus
Crosswalk.)
The fundamental change in my spiritual
and practical world view—how I understand those issues—came
about not from my traditional Christianity’s
perceived "enemies" such
as humanism, secularism, evolution, etc., but from my diligently studying the Biblical scriptures themselves, reflecting on the traditions and assumptions
of my own personal heritage, and applying to them the same
tools of
scrutiny that I was taught to apply to formal denominational dogmas and
other "false" (viz.,
non-Christian) beliefs.
This site describes my quest within that
framework to find the best valid elements in both
empiricism and supernaturalism,
science
and faith,
nature and spirit.
I struggled to maintain
intellectual and moral integrity while confronting mounting evidence
of a particularly exasperating realization: the world’s many
religions, with all their external tools of sacred books,
customs, traditions, creeds, and dogmas, emerged and evolved as a result
of blending
greed, ignorance, male chauvinism,
superstition, dogmatism, manipulation,
fear, hatred,
torture, terrorism,
and murderous, warmongering invasions
with
enlightenment, aspiration,
compassion,
grace,
dignity, justice, benevolence,
idealism, hope, peace,
forgiveness, and love—
and they still do so today, in varying
degrees, in varying places and political climates. These essays detail
my efforts to consider the implications. That process led to this conclusion:
I could no longer with any intellectual integrity abide a literalist theism.
For a while upon reaching that point,
I had to drop
formal religion altogether. I couldn't stomach dealing with "church."
But then I began realizing that systematic, institutional religions—in
even their most militantly, bureaucratically externalized forms—can
still do much good in the world, even with their most egregious flaws.
Many of the ancient stories and moral teachings still provide a valid
and meaningful reference point. Persons of like mind and spirit can use
these tools to focus their energies and actions toward making this world
a better place. I admire, appreciate, and endorse all sincere and earnest
efforts in that direction even while I disagree with many mainstream
beliefs and assumptions.
all images and text © chuck
bryant
unless otherwise noted
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