So Many Struggle to Leave the Faith Behind


I'm sure it's not possible, but I wish we could know how many people participate in the faith but really don't believe a word of it. The stories of those who left and openly declared their exit to friends and family are legend. I've heard them personally and there are public accounts. 

Which path is more unpleasant? If you have lost belief or never had it and are headed to the periodic holiday family gathering, it is easier to fake belief and act like you agreed with whatever faith talk takes place, or, state that you no longer believe? Surely for a huge majority of people, it is to fake belief and get through the day that way. Admitting disbelief is a recipe in most faith families for a long and miserable day.  The black sheep of the family knows it.

Parents and grandparents, I assume, are the most disappointed when a younger generation leaves the chartists faith behind. This is not always true, of course. I read a while back that author/preacher John Piper has a son who does not believe. Piper in public has nothing but good to say about his son. That is encouraging. 

I had a friend in Fargo who is a deep Catholic believer. He lamented to me that none of his five sons are believers, but all of his five daughters are. That percentage of believers is higher than the national average so he should be pleased. 

In a world where there is pressure to believe, all of us should take professions of faith with a bit of salt. If you are a believer and your child says no, that is no doubt an honest confession. He/she would not want to displease you. But, if your child claims to be a believer, it is impossible to know if this is sincere or a front for doubts that are unpleasant to reveal. I can't remember how many husbands and wives show up at atheist meetings and confess their spouse is a believer and he/she goes through the motions of church just to keep peace in the marriage.

One thing the internet has done, for better or for worse, is allow people of many persuasions to lead secret lives. For non-believers it is an opportunity to find colleagues in secret and not risk the ire of spouses and parents. 

My guess is the rapid growth in polling of the group called "nones" who claim no identity with any religion is so high because people have found support on the internet. This does not help those who have to struggle through family dinners with those who find nonbelief revolting.

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