UNCRITICAL THINKING

What prevents a Christian from thinking critically? Verbist Marek Vaňuš lists some of the most common cases: “Usually it is prejudices and assumptions, then a black-and-white vision and the evaluation or marking with the label ‘enemy’ of everything and everyone that does not fit into the created schemes.”

Not distinguishing one’s own values ​​and the way they are expressed can also be a threat. Or even the inner need to “defend” what “has always been there”. Customs that go back to distant history are a precious treasure for the Church. But all customs are there for man, not the other way around. In order not to become their slave, we should have a flexible mind and at the same time realize that we will never know everything.

“It would be nice if Christians did not fall into prejudices that automatically build barriers. A disciple of Jesus is invited to try to first know himself honestly and then internally confront the ‘new’ things with the values ​​of the Gospel,” the verbist points out. “Although, of course, we don’t have to, or even shouldn’t, agree with some facts, we can still respect the freedom of others as the heavenly Father respects it (cf. Mt 5, 45 f.).”

UNDER SHEEP’S CLOTHES

Just as the Christian is threatened by his own “unfortunate errors,” he is also threatened by those that come from without. Among the many distorted information and misleading statements, those that dangerously pretend to be Christian are also gaining popularity. Marek Vaňuš warns against such disinformation in “sheep’s clothing”.

“They pretend to be defenders of Christianity, but their tool is a militant condemnation of everything that does not coincide with some particular, determined position.” And it is also a whole galaxy of conspiracy theories that are currently spreading rapidly through social networks and Internet portals. “Many not only uncritically accept them, but also move them on.”

QUESTIONS AND FAITH

So how should a Christian fight against automatic consent, mindless acquiescence, and discern the line between God’s truth and human interpretation? “Every Christian has the opportunity to examine and look for the motive of the Church’s decision, so that he is ready to justify the hope he is supposed to bring (cf. 1 Pt 3, 15),” advises Marek Vaňuš.

However, examining and finding motives can often be confused by believers with questioning. We learn and hear that it is good to think for yourself and not follow what others tell us. But when we make Christianity just another ideology, we end up in an endless vortex of conflicts that cloud our minds and weigh down our hearts.

APOLITICAL TEACHING

Therefore, Marek Vaňuš points out that if we would like to put the values ​​of the gospel on the same level as our political or social opinions, we will not succeed. The teaching of the Church is apolitical, so it cannot contradict a political opinion. Even in this context, the verbist emphasizes how important it is to understand our own Christian identity.

When in our critical reflections and sometimes even questioning we come into conflict with the teachings of the Church, we should agree and also disagree with new or different opinions. However, when a person is not sure, he is afraid of confrontation and closes in on himself and in known certainties.

“Fear as a sign of inner uncertainty concludes. When I’m not sure about what I’m experiencing and believing, I try to defend it outwardly by forcefully attacking everything that I subconsciously perceive as a threat. Own uncertainty. That’s when our Christian light should flash.

VIEW FROM THE BELL

However, just as a believing Christian can make the error of automatic judgment, so can an unbeliever. After all, common prejudices about Christians are an interesting paradox, despite the intellectual progress to which society proudly claims. Marek Vaňuš explains it as follows:

From an outside perspective, faith is often misunderstood, leading to prejudices that view it as irrational and therefore worthless. This misconception can foster a sense of superiority, with non-believers looking down on believers with a condescending attitude, as if they are somehow less enlightened.

In reality, however, even well-known and important human values ​​cannot be subjected to mathematical proofs. Just as it is not possible to prove the authenticity of love, mercy, kindness and other virtues, it is also not possible to prove faith by the standards of natural sciences.

The Christian faith has always relied on the testimony of trustworthy individuals and personal experiences that transcend empirical evidence. In everyday life, we inevitably rely on others and accept things that can’t be proven. It’s naive to think we already have all the answers.

A religion we wouldn’t have guessed

A former atheist’s life story offers a compelling example of how faith can intersect with the mind and heart. Shaken by a disturbing premonition that traditional spiritual beliefs might be true, this individual’s comfortable worldview was disrupted by the unsettling possibility that something – or someone – could suddenly intervene in their predictable, mechanical universe.

Irish professor and writer Clive Staples Lewis described the start of his journey to Christianity as a path marked by deep reflection and intellectual inquiry, a common precursor to faith that involves exploring the abstract world of ideas.

Lewis argues in Conversations that his objection to God stemmed from the universe’s apparent cruelty and injustice. However, he questions the origin of his notion of justice and injustice, wondering why he, as a part of this supposedly meaningless whole, rebels against it with such passion.

It’s okay to think critically about our faith – God values reason. When things don’t make sense, we shouldn’t let our emotions dictate our perspective. As a wise saying goes, “Faith is the art of clinging to things once accepted by reason, despite our changing moods.”

There is magic in the unknown. As Professor Lewis notes, “Real things are not simple,” and reality often defies our expectations. This complexity is one reason I believe in Christianity – it’s a faith that often surprises and challenges our assumptions.