I have been dragged kicking and screaming to the conclusion that a high percentage of people within churches (and these are serious Christians, okay, they're real Christians. They're not Christian in name only.) But they are dramatically under-taught. They are underestimated in terms of their desire, their appetite, to think. And when they don't get that, it allows them It gives them permission, or in some cases, it'll drive them to compartmentalize their faith. "This is a thing I do on Sunday. And outside of Sunday, that's when my brain is engaged". You know, we have created that atmosphere. And it's like, you ought to be able to defend what you believe, to the harshest possible critics. I mean, I think that's kind of what you're... I mean, harshest possible, maybe, maybe not. But you should be able to weather some severe opposition. That's what I think you're saying. Yeah, I don't mind. It sounds a little silly, especially coming from people with PhDs, but I don't mind people who are antagonistic, if you can tell that they really want their question answered. Like, they're really looking for an answer here. As opposed to just, you know, do some sort of thing for attention within their community. I mean, that's just a waste of my time. Yeah. And honestly, it's disingenuous. So for those people, I don't have a whole lot of time, but for the other, it's like, "yeah, you know, I have time for that." Because that's me. I mean, let's be honest, I'm not going to say something just to irritate you or make you mad, or just to see what kind of response I can get. I mean, if I asked you a question, chances are really, really high that I would like an answer to that, or at least something that I can sort of throw in the blender and work with it. So I think that is really good. I think it's healthy. There is a resistance to it that sort of almost. And I understand both culturally and historically, why this is within the Christian community, because you know, how can I say this without sounding too pejorative? I have been dragged kicking and screaming to the conclusion that a high percentage of people within churches, (and these are serious Christians, okay, they're real Christians. They're not Christian in name only). But they are dramatically under-taught. They are underestimated in terms of their desire, their appetite, to think. And when they don't get that, it allows them, it gives them permission, or in some cases, it'll drive them to compartmentalize their faith. "This is a thing I do on Sunday. And outside of Sunday, that's when my brain is engaged." You know, that we have created that atmosphere. Unfortunately, I think the church is largely to blame for that. So I understand that when you have that context, you are going to lose people, or they're going to abandon their faith. And so that creates fear within the community. And instead of moving the direction that "well, maybe we ought to find some people who can help our people thoughtfully engage X, Y, or Z. They'll just circle the wagons, which is a natural community impulse to do. But it compounds the problem. It doesn't solve it in any way. It makes it worse. So, you know, I know enough about you to know, you run into that every day. It's discouraging. But, you know, okay, it's discouraging, but it's also the right answer. Yeah, right. It's still the right answer. As discouraging as it is, as meager as the results are. It's still the right answer. So yeah, someone has to do it and say it and be okay with it. You know, I'm okay with people looking at me like I got two heads. I'm kind of used to that now. But again, look, I'm your friend. I'm asking you this question. I'm telling you, your argument stinks. Because I don't want you to run into someone who hates your faith and wants to destroy you. I don't want them to do it. I should be the person to do that. Actually, your pastor should be the person to do that. So I'm your friend. You should be willing to have this conversation with a friend before you, instead of having it with an enemy.
