Even when presented with clear evidence that should at least result in an honest reassessment, we often double down on our opinion and become even more determined to defend our ideas when there is a perceived threat to the way we view a particular situation or issue.  After years of invested attention to the same ideas and the same kinds of voices that support those ideas, it becomes difficult to consider even the slightest alteration.  How can we converse differently? Relevant links for reference: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-to-convince-someone-when-facts-fail/ https://youtu.be/w4RLfVxTGH4 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escalation_of_commitment --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/leadingquestions/message

One of the most comforting things about Judeo-Christian ethics is that in one sense it’s easier.  There is an authoritative being who tells you what you should and should not do.  There is no urgency to wrestle over the nuanced and difficult ethical issues that every culture faces in this case.  Just do “what the Bible says.” However, when you consider the fact that within each religion there are differing ways to view sacred teachings and traditions, it gets complicated. Where does this leave any of us, religious or not?  How do we live our lives when we are all just trying to piece together what is right? It IS possible to live a moral life without religion, and it can not only make our lives more satisfying, but can also contribute to improving the lives of those in the world around us. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/leadingquestions/message

No issue has caused me to question my Christian beliefs more than what is often called the problem of evil.  Ever since the Greek philosopher Epicurus (342-271 BCE) first questioned the existence of God due to the existence of evil in the world, people have faced this problem and often walked away from the faith of their childhood.  The reality of suffering in light of the professed goodness and power of God is the catalyst that is most responsible for the shift in my own theological views.   Links: A much more thorough look at this issue, with citations - Worth the read if you have the interest! Process Theology Charles Hartshorne Tim Keller, a Christian author, tried to address this issue in his book Reason for God, but it is entirely unsatisfying and insufficient.  Neil Carter explains why in this article. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/leadingquestions/message

As a professing Christian, there was always one question that plagued me over the years: Why did the Bible deserve the kind of loyalty and trust I was giving it? My beliefs about that book guided almost every decision I made, and eventually I had to ask myself why I allowed it to do so.   Once I stopped viewing the Bible as an authoritative voice never to be questioned, I was able to see the flaws in it and begin to look for more reliable ways to find my way. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/leadingquestions/message

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A brief episode introducing the four-part series, Why I Left Religion Behind. I talk about why it is hard to do so when you've been entrenched in it your whole life.  Have you recently walked away from a religious upbringing?  What has been your experience?  Leave a voice message here on Anchor so that I can consider it for use in a future episode! The accompanying blog post can be seen at https://leadingquestions.blog/2021/07/09/why-i-left-religion-behind-part-1/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/leadingquestions/message