Religion Archives - NowTHINK!AboutIt

Faith Basics Should Be The Same For Everyone

October 12, 2025 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

Differences Are Inevitable
Conflict Is Not

First a brief definition.

Faith refers to anything you believe which cannot be irrevocably proven or widely accepted. I believe in God. I can’t prove Him.

Unfortunately, that is the nature of faith. We call it faith because it cannot be tested in a lab. The only evidence we have is circumstantial.

And it isn’t the same for everyone. There are so many different varieties of faith it’s easy to see that faith tends to morph.

Therefore, when it comes to relationships based on faith, we must be careful. Before joining hands with anyone just because they have faith, we must determine exactly what they mean by the term.

Faith isn’t equal. Faith ideas can be polar opposites.

Even when they are close, they can be very different. One person believes Jesus is all one needs to get saved. Another adds baptism to the formula. Both believe in Jesus but the two ideas can’t be reconciled.

The uncomfortable truth is faith (the idea, the concept, the stance) tends to migrate depending on whose adopting it, how they promote it and on what they base their faith conclusions.

And since we can’t prove what we believe, it is entirely possible to become emotionally reactive when others respond derisively to the ideas we hold most strongly.

Buddhism, for example, is based on the teachings of Buddha. He excites attention because many of his teachings are at least thought provoking if not obvious. Some are easily accepted by all.

One of his popular statements illustrates the point:

Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present.

Easy to grasp and accept.

I’m not sure Buddha was the first to advocate for such an idea. In fact, Paul said something similar:

Behold, now is the accepted time, today is the day of salvation. (2 Corinthians 6:2)

Paul’s focus was salvation, not life in general, but the application was the same. If it didn’t happen in the past, don’t focus on the future, it can happen right now in the present.

Many have said something similar but Buddhism probably popularized it and the only ones to disagree are the disagreeable.

Ideas of this nature are sensible. They compel us to think and that’s a good thing.

One important observation is the fact that every religion promotes some ideas that are easy to see and accept. They all have an element of faith (that which can’t be seen) and sense (that which can be easily recognized).

But the balance between faith and sense is not fixed and because of that problems can surface. [Read more…] about Faith Basics Should Be The Same For Everyone

Why Faith Is Such A Problem For Christians

August 31, 2025 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

We Are Anchored
As Much By People
As We Are By Faith
And That Can Be A Problem

We usually think of faith as a problem for non-believers and that is true but it’s also a problem for believers. Let me explain.

Faith and Christianity are almost synonymous.

You can’t become a Christian without faith.
You can’t live like a Christian without faith.

The Bible makes very clear statements to drive those points home:

For by grace are you saved through faith. (Epheisans 2:8)

We walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)

And the book of Hebrews confirms:

Without faith it is impossible to please God. (Hebrews 11:6)

Christians know this. Living by faith is their mantra. We wear it on tee shirts, broadcast it on bumper stickers and declare it verbally and endlessly for anyone close enough to hear.

All of that is understood.

Christianity’s most notable quality is faith and those who have it can’t stop talking about it. It’s a good thing but it’s also a problem not because we don’t have it but because we do.

What Are We Talking About

First, a brief explanation of faith. Faith involves three things: mindset, focus and manner.

What it means to have faith is simple. The word means trust, confidence, assurance in something unseen or not yet proven. The dictionary puts it simply:

Confident or unquestioning belief in the truth, value or trustworthiness of a person, idea or thing.

The first part of that definition gives us the mindset: trust, confidence, assurance.

The second part features the focus: person, idea or thing.

Having faith is one thing but it only counts if you place your faith in the right person, idea or thing.

Believing in the wrong idea will not make the idea right no matter how strongly you believe.

Faith is important but it cannot and does not stand alone. It will always have a target and if the target is wrong, the faith will do you little good.

But if the object of your faith is correct, it will be followed by an appropriate manner. That is, you’ll act accordingly. If I believe I will lose credibility if I don’t pay my bills, that belief will effect how I manage my money.

So faith is three things:

Unsubstantiated confidence
Placed in the appropriate object
Followed by sincere actions

Why is that a problem for Christians? [Read more…] about Why Faith Is Such A Problem For Christians

One-Worldism From A Different Perspective

May 25, 2025 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

The Outcome Of Loving Your Neighbors
Especially The Ones Who Are Enemies
Is One World

The topic of One-Worldism among evangelical Christians is considered anathema. Rather than an interesting topic for discussion, it’s an evil to be avoided at all cost.

On the odd occasion when the topic is broached, it’s spoken of from one side only and is associated with behind-the-scenes manipulation by Satan and endless conspiracy theories. Anyone tagged as a one-worlder loses all standing among Christian folks.

Pat Robertson’s book, The New World Order (which abounds with conspiracies and gives far more credit to Satan than he deserves), is a good example of how this concept is treated among evangelicals. Robertson’s approach is common and is the reason Christians are loathe to approach this topic in any other way than arms-length.

But is there a way to see a positive side to the issue?

I would suggest that social/political ideas are neither good nor bad and should be discussed openly and often if we’re to gain a useful perspective. The Devil is no more involved with one idea than another, is very willing to distort issues at the cost of humanity and he will gladly use evangelicals to advance his goals whenever he can.

If anything, the Devil loves to breed insecurity and provokes us to think emotionally, which is really just non-thinking. Pat Robertson’s book fuels that outcome. [Read more…] about One-Worldism From A Different Perspective

Reasons To Believe Jesus Cares More About People Than Issues

May 9, 2025 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

Jesus Exemplified
A People-First Approach
To Ministry

There is no question that Jesus cares. He endured great difficulties during His short life and that alone gives us a measure of His interest.

Just being born exposed Him to humiliation, inconvenience and threat, and then later He was buffeted by insult, doubt, rejection and finally crucifixion.

And none of that was a surprise. He knew this would happen but it didn’t deter Him.

All of that is to say He’s invested. He cares but the question is what exactly does He care about?

He had to have a good reason to willingly subject Himself to these abuses and we need to ask what that was. [Read more…] about Reasons To Believe Jesus Cares More About People Than Issues

From The Dark Ages To The Modern Era, Catholics Have Come Full Circle

March 5, 2025 by EnnisP 2 Comments

The Supreme Court
Has Become The New Tribunal

In the colonial years of American history religion was very prevalent. Several denominations were represented: Lutherans, Presbyterians, Baptists, Anglicans, Quakers and even Catholics. This plurality was only grudgingly accepted, however, as every colony adopted an official religion.

Puritans and Anglicans were the most prominent but States like Pennsylvania and Rhode Island accepted and encouraged a pluralistic approach.

Historically, that level of religious diversity usually ended in a dog fight. Europe’s Thirty Years War (1618-1648), motivated largely by Catholic attempts to reseize political control, was a good reason for Protestants to escape to the New World.

But abuse wasn’t committed only by Catholics. Even when Catholics weren’t scheming for political advantage the Protestants were killing each other in an attempt to gain power. For Europeans it seemed there was no end in site.

It’s as if the religious in Europe were trying to bring Matthew 10 to everyday life.The best option was to cut and run.

Religious freedom (aka the desire to escape religious persecution) was one of the main reasons immigrants gambled on the long and fraught journey to settle on American soil.

But the abusive nature of religion didn’t fade easily. It’s a strange thing but religious aggression immigrated to America too.

The Puritans (aka Congregationalists), the first Protestants to settle in America, dominated the New England colonies. Their first order of business was to combine church law with civil law and the entire community was held to that standard. Anyone who didn’t show up at church regularly was in trouble. [Read more…] about From The Dark Ages To The Modern Era, Catholics Have Come Full Circle