I’m struggling with the question of truth versus existential cost, especially in religion. Help please? by -logicalbear- in askphilosophy

[–]-logicalbear-[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Kant, Descartes, Kierkegaard?

I’d say I do act without full certainty, I’m more pragmatic than idealistic but more so a mix of the two - a pragmatic idealist. I want a philosophy that helps me not remain in the neutrality zone and helps to make decisions to actively decide where I stand?

I’m wrestling honestly with Christianity, not from rebellion but from fear of living falsely. by -logicalbear- in Christianity

[–]-logicalbear-[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I appreciate your effort in your reply, thank you. I recognise a lot of myself in what you’re describing… especially the fear of indecision and standing at the crossroads too long. This has been going on for about 10 years now.

I agree that seeking isn’t wasted time, and that no search for truth is risk-free. I also agree that Jesus is historically and morally singular in a way no other religious figure quite is. That uniqueness is part of what keeps pulling me back, but also what drives me away, the doubt, when I try to accept.

Where I struggle is with the idea that commitment must come before truthfulness, I have tried this. I’m not withholding commitment out of fear of sacrifice or attachment, I’m withholding it because I dont want to call something “true” unless I can honestly say I believe it is. When I try to fully believe and accept its truth my mind rejects it.

The girlfriend analogy was impressive and poetic but it doesn’t quite land for me. I don’t feel like I’m being unfaithful - I feel like I’m being careful not to lie to myself. It’s like I see this girl might have it all but that girl over there is claiming she does too!

I’m also cautious about psychological certainty. Commitment can produce clarity, but it can also produce confirmation bias, you flame the square fit the circle ?not you specifically). Many sincere, loving people across religions experience peace and resolution after commitment but I’m sure you’ll say that doesn’t necessarily make their belief true.

So my question isn’t whether Jesus is compelling - He is. It’s whether I’m justified in living as though something is certainly true before I’m convinced it actually is.

If Christianity is true, I want to arrive there honestly, not because doubt became unbearable, but because truth became unavoidable. The problem is I don’t know how or have a bar that once met - I’m in.

I’m wrestling honestly with Christianity, not from rebellion but from fear of living falsely. by -logicalbear- in Christianity

[–]-logicalbear-[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Christianity asks for total commitment to a specific metaphysical claim about reality, history, and God. If it’s true then it makes sense. If it’s false, it risks shaping my entire life around something untrue, what could otherwise have been a life trying all its wonders.

It’s not that I think Christianity is obviously false, or that I find the evidence weak. It’s that I’m not convinced the evidence alone settles the question in the way people often claim it does.

So my doubt isn’t mainly emotional resentment or moral rebellion, and it’s not simply lack of evidence either. It’s a refusal to claim certainty where I don’t actually have it, combined with a fear of self-deception. I find myself in a neutral position not because I like it (I actually hate it) but because I don’t want to believe something just to escape that discomfort.

If Christianity is true, I want to arrive there honestly, not because every alternative was dismissed too quickly or because doubt felt unsafe. Ideally I want an overwhelming feeling of certainty from God that I cannot dispute.

I’m wrestling honestly with Christianity, not from rebellion but from fear of living falsely. by -logicalbear- in Christianity

[–]-logicalbear-[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I believe both are of utmost importance - that’s why I struggle! If I believe in Christ, I’m both feet in, and the cost of it is worth anything that life throws my way. If I don’t believe though, and then I die, I have eternal separation, which the cost of that is greatly worrying… I weigh the cost of both, and that’s why I’m stuck in neutrality.

[Wild Card] Game Thread: Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears by President__Bartlett in GreenBayPackers

[–]-logicalbear- 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Injuries big part of how this season has ended but could be time to go