It is difficult enough to be an out-of-the-closet Christian, or indeed a subscriber to any faith, in a world where secularism has grown teeth. Other than the irrationalities we hold to be truths and the social consequences of the teachings of many of our traditions, we face an increasingly hostile world that is, often for good reason, deeply suspicious of anything preachy or religious. Our reflection in society has produced a better, more fruitful dialogue, but it remains one which is fragile. There are still powerful voices in opposition which wilfully refuse to acknowledge the differences between reasoned faith and absurdity – analogous to the fundamentalist who sees no distinction between haematology and homeopathy.
The facts may tell you one thing. But, God is not limited by the facts. Choose faith in spite of the facts.
—
Joel Osteen (@JoelOsteen) November 26, 2014
In spite of the growing trend of anti-intellectualism in the religious lunatic fringes, facts remain facts. We cannot ignore real evidence no matter what teaching we hold to be true. It may seem a better mental health practice to ignore this nonsense, but it has terrible consequences in which we must be careful not to find ourselves, by silence or indifference, complicit. What we believe directs, or should direct, how we live. Living in wilful ignorance of the facts is dangerous.
