How Our Groups and Practices Shape Our Reality

I've been struggling. I've been struggling to understand how it is that the reality of what happened at the capitol last Wednesday can be interpreted in different ways. I've been struggling with the fact that people I know seem to not care about truth or reality (or at least not publicly), because it gets in the way of their team winning. And I've been particularly struggling with how many who identify as Christian are leading proponents of different conspiracy theories and were leading participants in this violent insurrection.

When I think about all of this for too long, I feel sadness, I feel anger, and I feel a sense of despair. How did we get here? How will it get any better? What can I do about it?

One paradigm shifting book that reminds me why this is happening is called The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion, written by Jonathan Haidt in 2013. As a moral psychologist, he essentially argues what Thomas Cranmer believed: "what the heart loves, the will chooses, and the mind justifies." Basically, we are primarily emotional creatures who have our own internal press secretaries that are there to find evidence that justify our line of thinking. To put it another way, "intuitions come first, strategic reasoning second."

Another core tenet of moral psychology is that this shared morality binds and blinds. It binds us to the collective group and blinds us to alternative moral worlds.

In his excellent Mockingbird conference talk in 2014, Haidt illustrates some of these ideas further. Speaking to the bizarre way that the same event can be interpreted completely differently, he says:

"reality is ambiguous and we find the evidence out there in the ambiguous world to support what we believe. 'Once I have justifications, I know I'm right and if you disagree with me, you are either stupid or disingenuous'...This is the acceleration of righteousness."

He goes on to say that our tendency to circle around sacred objects and principles ends up creating polarization where we think, "Our side is perfectly good. Their side is perfectly evil. Anyone who says otherwise, on our side, is a traitor." Sound familiar?

So, what's the solution here? One antidote is empathy. Seeing an issue from someone else's perspective. In one of his TED talks, he also argues for moral humility:

"...step out of the moral matrix. Try to see it as a struggle that is playing out in which everybody does think they are right and everybody at least has some reason, even if you disagree with them... for what they're doing. If you do that, that's the essential move to cultivate moral humility. To get yourself out of this self-righteousness, which is the normal human condition."

Empathy. Humility. These are hard traits to come by, especially when our lives our more online that ever before. Where hot takes, rage, and de-humanization reigns. Where social media feeds and cable news networks are designed to confirm our biases, furthering our inability to understand and humanize those not in our group. And it's easy to point this out and call out how "they" are the problem.

However, I believe all of the work here starts with us, starts with me. I need to make sure I'm feeding my soul properly, spending as little time as possible on social media and being caught up in the "news of the day", and spending more time in the Word, in prayer, encouraging and being encouraged by one another, reading books, taking pauses, enjoying nature, and slowing down. To the degree I'm participating in these life-giving practices is the degree to which I'm training my soul to desire the kingdom, and walking in peace, in hope, and love for others. Please join me.

An Inside Look At Scientology

My friend Bailey recently told me about an article in The New Yorker entitled The Apostate. It is looking at Scientology, mainly through the experience of screenwriter and film director Paul Haggis. Paul, for a time, was very involved in the "church," as he made it as far up as you can go in their ranks. But in 2009, he began questioning his involvement and has since become an outspoken voice for many of its harmful practices and teachings.

I have some special interest in Scientology because I (along with Bailey and many others) spent three summers in the early 2000s in Clearwater, Florida, a couple miles from its worldwide spiritual headquarters. We would often witness the odd behavior of the members walking around the streets in their strange uniforms. With much intrigue, I began researching to know more about this movement/religion/cult or whatever you want to call it.

It was founded in 1954 by L. Ron Hubbard. Here's a quick overview of the "church" from the article:

The Church of Scientology says that its purpose is to transform individual lives and the world. “A civilization without insanity, without criminals and without war, where the able can prosper and honest beings can have rights, and where man is free to rise to greater heights, are the aims of Scientology,” Hubbard wrote. Scientology postulates that every person is a Thetan—an immortal spiritual being that lives through countless lifetimes. Scientologists believe that Hubbard discovered the fundamental truths of existence, and they revere him as “the source” of the religion.

Hubbard’s writings offer a “technology” of spiritual advancement and self-betterment that provides “the means to attain true spiritual freedom and immortality.” A church publication declares, “Scientology works 100 percent of the time when it is properly applied to a person who sincerely desires to improve his life.” Proof of this efficacy, the church says, can be measured by the accomplishments of its adherents. “As Scientologists in all walks of life will attest, they have enjoyed greater success in their relationships, family life, jobs and professions. They take an active, vital role in life and leading roles in their communities. And participation in Scientology brings to many a broader social consciousness, manifested through meaningful contribution to charitable and social reform activities.”

And here's a good description of their practice of Dianetics:

“Dianetics” purports to identify the source of self-destructive behavior—the “reactive mind,” a kind of data bank that is filled with traumatic memories called “engrams,” and that is the source of nightmares, insecurities, irrational fears, and psychosomatic illnesses. The object of Dianetics is to drain the engrams of their painful, damaging qualities and eliminate the reactive mind, leaving a person “Clear.”

After reading the article, it becomes obvious that Scientology is almost exclusively a religion based on pragmatism rather than truth. No one seems to make any truth claim apart from commending how the beliefs and practices make life work better. But it's ironic that, pragmatically speaking, it seems to fail. People don't seem happier. They seem controlled and much poorer than when they started.

I'd encourage you to read the entire article, because it is quite fascinating. Though I should warn you that it is rather lengthy.

Also, a few years back, I saw a special that the BBC did on Scientology called Panorama: Scientology and Me. The reporter has multiple interactions with Tommy Davis (who you would find from the article is Scientology's main PR guy), and it's crazy to watch how much effort Tommy goes into as he tries to stop the BBC from doing their story. You can watch it in four separate YouTube videos:

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4

What's the Point of Lent?

Today is Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the 40 day observance known as Lent. I've often been confused about why Christians should observe these days. Isn't it just a Catholic thing? What's the point of giving up something when you go back to fully indulging in it the day Lent stops?

I thought this article was a helpful one speaking about the history and the point of Lent. Here are a few key paragraphs:

"Lent’s origin is hidden in the early centuries of church history, but we do know that it originated as a time of preparation for Easter. From the church’s earliest days, the resurrection of Christ was celebrated not only each week (on Sunday, the Lord’s Day), but also in a special festival of the resurrection. This festival we call Easter Day, and it is celebrated as the Sunday of Sundays! Lent, as a season of preparation, is traditionally focused on repentance. Speaking biblically, to repent means to make a change in our attitudes, words, and lifestyles. As 16th-century reformer Martin Luther taught, the Christian life in its totality is a life of repentance.

Beginning when we first commit our lives to Christ, and continuing throughout our lives, we are more and more turning away from sin and self-centeredness and more and more turning to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Even though a repentant spirit should mark all we do, it is still appropriate that certain times be set aside for a particular focus on repentance. The church has traditionally done this at the Lenten season (and, to a lesser extent, in the pre-Christmas season of Advent).

Lent, therefore, is a time for focusing on the heart, a time for asking questions about our spiritual health:

• What are my characteristic sins, and how can I work and pray for change?
• What idols have captured my imagination so that my love for the living God has grown cold?
• In what ways is my devotion to Christ and his church less than wholehearted?
• The Lenten season is the spiritual equivalent of an annual physical exam; it’s a time to take stock of our lives, our hearts.

Keeping Lent, however, is potentially dangerous, precisely because of this focus on the heart. After all, it is much easier to read a book on prayer than to spend time leisurely speaking with our heavenly Father. It is much easier to fast from certain foods than it is to turn from idols of the heart. It is much easier to write a check than to spend time in ministries of mercy. Consequently, Lent is easily trivialized. The point of Lent is not to give up chocolate; it’s to give up sin!"

Dinesh D'Souza on the Christian worldview

Dinesh D'Souza recently gave a speech in Colorado Springs that confronts the idea held by many, including the new atheists, that Christianity should be eradicated from our society. Dinesh argues that many people take for granted several fundamental ideas that would evaporate without the Christian worldview. He narrows in on the idea of fredom, mentioning slavery and women's suffrage, and the worth of the human individual. He concludes this way:

"In sum, the eradication of Christianity—and of organized religion in general—would also mean the gradual extinction of the principles of human dignity. Consider human equality. Why do we hold to it? The Christian idea of equality in God’s eyes is undeniably largely responsible. The attempt to ground respect for equality on a purely secular basis ignores the vital contribution by Christianity to its spread. It is folly to believe that it could survive without the continuing aid of religious belief."

Read the whole thing.

Rewriting History

Piper has an interesting post on writing religion out of history. He writes about the new Capitol Visitor Center in Washington D.C. and how it omits in mention of God, despite the religious roots of our country.

Episcopal bishops confused and ultimately UNloving

This article, provided by Dr. Al Mohler, is just sad.

"The most senior California bishops of the Episcopal Church came out in favor of same-sex marriage in the state on Wednesday. The bishops then called on voters to defeat Proposition 8 -- the constitutional amendment that would define marriage as the union of a man and a woman.

From the statement released by the bishops:

'As Episcopal Bishops of California, we are moved to urge voters to vote “No” on Proposition 8. Jesus calls us to love rather than hate, to give rather than to receive, to live into hope rather than fear. On Tuesday, November 4th, voters in California will be given the opportunity to vote for or against Proposition 8, which would amend the state’s constitution to reserve marriage as only between a man and a woman. Since the California Supreme Court’s ruling in May that civil marriage should be provided to all of the state’s citizens whether the genders of the couple are different or the same, faithful gays and lesbians have entered into marriage as the principle way in which they show their love, devotion and life-long commitment to each other. Furthermore, marriage provides these couples the same legal rights and protections that heterosexual couples take for granted.

Proposition 8 would reverse the court’s decision and withdraw a right given. Proponents of Proposition 8 have suggested that this amendment to the Constitution would protect marriage. We do not believe that marriage of heterosexuals is threatened by same-sex marriage. Rather, the Christian values of monogamy, commitment, love, mutual respect and witness of monogamy are enhanced for all by providing this right to gay and straight alike. Society is strengthened when two people who love each other choose to enter into marriage, engaged in a lifetime of disciplined relationship building that serves as a witness to the importance of love and commitment.'"

Dr. Mohler then provides some of his thoughts:

"Tellingly, the bishops offered no substantial biblical or theological defense of their statement. Instead, the bishops relied upon generalized language about "the Christian values of monogamy, commitment, love, mutual respect and witness of monogamy." They added that these should be celebrated and affirmed "to gay and straight alike." The Bible contains absolutely no generalized affirmation of monogamy. Indeed, the Bible commands monogamy in marriage, defined without question as the union of a man and a woman. The "Christian values" the bishops cite in favor of their support of same-sex marriage are aberrant abstractions from the biblical text, from the Christian tradition, and from the moral witness of the church.

The church is not to respect what the Bible clearly identifies as sin. Furthermore, some loves are explicitly prohibited within the Scripture. The bishops stood to endorse activities and relationships that every previous generation of Christians had understood to be sin. No previous generation has been confused about the issue of gender with respect to marriage. The bishops announced their defiant stance against Scripture, tradition, and the practices and beliefs of most Christians worldwide -- including most within their own Anglican Communion."

"For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it." - Titus 1:7-9

Death of Mainline Churches in the US

I read a very interesting article last week over at First Things. It was entitled "The Death of Protestant America: A Political Theory of the Protestant Mainline". It basically discusses the way the mainline church over the last 40 years has steadily declined in many ways as it has become increasingly liberal. Then, I read Al Mohler's blog this morning and saw he had a summary of the article and pointed out some important things for the evangelical church. He closes his summary with these words:

"The primary injury caused by mainline Protestant decline is not social but spiritual. These denominations once fueled the great missionary movement that carried the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Now, liberal Protestantism sees conversionist missions as an embarrassment. Committed to a radical doctrinal relativism, these denominations have served as poster children for virtually every theological fad and liberal proposal imaginable. Now, many of these denominations are involved in court fights to keep churches from leaving. The stream has indeed run dry.

The "Death of Protestant America" Joseph Bottum describes must serve as a warning to Evangelicals. There can be no doubt where theological revisionism and accommodationism will lead. Why, then, would some argue that Evangelicalism should follow essentially the same path? Can they not see that the liberal Protestant river has run dry?"

Ted Turner the church goer?

I thought this was an interesting article about how Turner is partnering up with churches to help fight malaria in Africa. The once vocal atheist is now having a change of heart about religion. He is now apologetic for the many negative things he's said in the past about religion. For me, this is yet another way of seeing God's effectual grace at work. When He finally wants to break someone's heart...He breaks their heart. Not that Ted is all the way there, but it shows no heart is off limits.
(HT:Friendly Atheist)

The Dangers of Scientology

I just saw this article that came from Time Magazine. Having lived next one of the worldwide centers of Scientology in Clearwater a couple of summers, and seeing these guys walk around downtown, it hits a little close to home. It's a very eye-opening, in depth look how this self proclaimed religion operates. It reminds me how thankful to know the Truth. The article opens up with this:

"By all appearances, Noah Lottick of Kingston, Pa., had been a normal, happy 24-year-old who was looking for his place in the world. On the day last June when his parents drove to New York City to claim his body, they were nearly catatonic with grief. The young Russian-studies scholar had jumped from a 10th-floor window of the Milford Plaza Hotel and bounced off the hood of a stretch limousine. When the police arrived, his fingers were still clutching $171 in cash, virtually the only money he hadn't yet turned over to the Church of Scientology, the self-help "philosophy" group he had discovered just seven months earlier."

(HT:Tim Challies)

History of Religion

For those of you interested in a quick version of the spread of religions around the world, check this out:
Thanks to Justin for the link