Fundamental cynicism - value of professions of faith

[DZoolander]

"If they're right - then my bases are covered. If they're wrong, what does it matter?"

A couple of times I've asked people why they believe - and got answers along those lines. I have to admit, while I always appreciated the honesty of the answer, I wondered what value "faith" founded on that type of belief would really hold. I mean, if God exists and knows what's in your heart, and if sincere faith really does matter, what real currency would "faith" like that have?

Faith given in order to cover your bets doesn't really seem like faith at all to me.

But it isn't just that type of thing that rings those bells for me. I often see other circumstances that give me the same type of thoughts...and this is where the cynicism part comes in.

For example, I've got a friend/guy I know, and he's pretty unattractive. He's always been pretty irreligious. I mean, to the best of my knowledge he's never been an atheist. But, religion has never really been a part of his life. I've known him and his family for quite some time, and church going, faith, etc...just has never been a part of their lives.

About six months ago he got his first girlfriend, ever. I started seeing all these posts from him on FB with some new girl, all the new-first-relationship professing about how perfect for each other they are, how much they're in love, etc... So I checked her out. Her tagline is something about how she's a daughter of Christ, etc etc. That's cool, but have to admit my first thought was "Ahhh, got with a holy roller!"

Then recently there was a post about how he got baptized.

And have to admit, my first thought was "ahhhh, she got ya to do that."

Now, I suppose you could argue that she showed him the truth, assisted in his move toward Christ, etc etc... All of which could be possible. But, my view of human nature is different. I don't share that rosy outlook on how people evolve. Rather, I think people assess themselves, they pick the things they value and then they do the things they think will help protect it. Like in this instance, I would not at all be surprised if the calculation went along the lines of "I haven't had a lot of luck with women, I've got something now and I don't want to lose it, it means a lot to her, I'm not an atheist, so what's the harm?"

And if that's the case, doesn't it fall into the same sort of camp as the "I'm hedging my bets by believing"?

Dunno. What do you think? Do you think I'm completely off base? lol Am I wrong to kind of wince when I see all of these people congratulating him on his move to Christ, etc?

 

[Sabertooth]

Dunno. What do you think? Do you think I'm completely off base? lol Am I wrong to kind of wince when I see all of these people congratulating him on his move to Christ, etc?

1. God frequently uses such attraction to draw people into church, where they get saved. (But we still should not be "unequally yoked" unto that purpose, per 2 Corinthians 6:14.)
   
2. Mental assent is not the same as surrender. In the military, you might acknowledge that a man is A captain, but if you do not acknowledge him as YOUR captain (by obeying his orders), you will be in big trouble...!

James 2:19 says,
"You believe that there is one God. You do well. [But] Even the demons believe—and tremble!"

And Jesus likened such assent to "stony" and "thorny" ground in the Parable of the Sower.

Jesus' yoke is easy (and His burden is light), but it is still a yoke.

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"No matter how hard you push the envelope, it remains stationery...!"​

 

[Tolworth John]

I've got a friend/guy I know, and he's pretty unattractive. He's always been pretty irreligious.

recently there was a post about how he got baptized.[/QUOTE]

How well do you know him?
Well enough to ring him and ask him about getting baptised and why he did it?

It's that or start attending the church he and his girlfriend does to see how he behaves and arrange to hang out with him durring the week.

 

[DZoolander]

I do know him well enough to ask - but all else being equal I wouldn’t feel comfortable asking (to be honest). I find that it’s often best to leave my private thoughts to myself.

 

[DZoolander]

Or discuss them semi anonymously in places like this lol

 

[akmom]

I think there's a fair chance he is doing it for this girl, and also a good chance he doesn't realize his own motives. I guess you'll only really know by what path he takes if they break up.

Or, should they ultimately marry, by his involvement in his church when he is no longer wooing her.

 

[DZoolander]

Isn't the whole concept of Christianity that bad people are not punished for being bad? Because all are equally bad in the eyes of God? That we are far too concerned about the splinters in the eye of another while ignoring the planks in ours? That the rapist is no more deserving of hell than you or me? That it's only by accepting Christ as your savior that we obtain salvation, and that opportunity is equally available to all, regardless of their actions?