Whilst I really enjoy your content, especially your posts regarding faith and upbringing but I have to disagree with this underlying assumption that skepticism and faith are somehow inherently opposed to one another. Many of the greatest theological minds—Augustine, Aquinas, Pascal—were complete skeptics who interrogated their faith incredibly thoroughly, with Augustines entire journey in Confessions being about questioning everything before arriving at faith. Similarly with thinkers such as Anselm and Aquinas, who engaged deeply with philosophy and reason rather than just believing blindly in their religion. Faith, if properly understood, is not some sort of passive acceptance but an engagement with deeper questions of existence. In his letters to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 13:5) Paul encourages inward/internal self-examination - on whether you truly believe and live by Christs teachings and while 1 Peter 3:15 focuses more on external defense, both suggest that faith should not be blind or unexamined. Peter implies that one should know their faith so thoroughly that when time calls for it one can articulate it clearly to others whilst Paul calls for deep self-reflection to ensure one’s faith is genuine. Together, they point toward a faith that is both intellectually and personally grounded. Your concern that many believers fail to question their faith is valid, but it does not necessarily indicative of faith itself as true faith is marked by the ability to doubt and come to one’s own conclusions or to dig in further. If anything, unexamined belief is a weakness but is not reflective of religion as a whole. Your own journey which you mentioned as marked by questioning and intellectual engagement is precisely the kind of thinking that leads to a faith more profound than mere cultural or habitual religiosity and has lead to much of the theological backbone that makes up religions such as Christianity today. I hope you to a conclusion about your faith you find agreeable and peaceful.
i think that’s a fair distinction to make and i don’t disagree that faith and skepticism can coexist—in fact, the most compelling theological minds were often deeply interrogative. but i think there’s a difference between the kind of rigorous questioning that thinkers like augustine and aquinas engaged in and the passive religiosity that many people fall into today. my issue isn’t with faith itself, but with how often it goes unexamined, treated more like an inherited identity than a personal conviction. skepticism, in my view, isn’t just about questioning for the sake of questioning, but about refusing to settle for shallow belief. faith that isn’t examined isn’t faith at all—it’s just habit. i’d rather wrestle with doubt than accept something just because it’s what i was taught.
I found your writing to be very interesting. Grappling with the same topics myself. I wasn’t able to read through to the end but I am going to come back when I have more time.
I mean why not just make "ins," your outs are pretty common things to hate. To be "out" they had to be "in" at some point. I'll concede with Valentine's Day hating though haha
man, this is really powerful, profound stuff. extremely well written too. i relate to so much of this — not the specifics (my family wasn’t too religious, etc.) but generally: being a very inquisitive, questioning person. love it
actually going to quickly follow up on this: i just realized that you’re also the person who shared/suggested a bunch of philosophical rabbit-holes to research!! and then i saw your most recent comment — about getting intimately acquainted with the books you read — and… wow. every single word you write could be written by me. ❤️
If you would ever like to chat faith, religion, the Devine, etc., hit me up. I like how you are thinking and processing these topics. I’ve been sifting through them too.
Well put together. Agree or disagree, it doesn't matter. This is your path to explore and find the answers you need. This is what makes us all unique and special. For me, I watch much of what goes on and try to understand what the person is trying to say. People all create it to explain the hows and whys of things. Science, religion, whatever it may be, we need to feel grounded. We want some sense of control in our lives. Not feel as if we are wandering or lost. I know everything we need is out there. How you get there, right or wrong, is up to you. Some think this is very passive, and some think it is thought-provoking, so it doesn't matter. What matters is what you think and how you feel. When lost, you ask for directions. Take in the information and come to your own conclusion. Life is a constant journey. Enjoy it. Live it. Take it all in that you want and not what others say or think you should have or do. I really enjoy the creative way you put the words out there; it is as if it is a big buffet, and we enjoy the meal together. Thank you.
Whilst I really enjoy your content, especially your posts regarding faith and upbringing but I have to disagree with this underlying assumption that skepticism and faith are somehow inherently opposed to one another. Many of the greatest theological minds—Augustine, Aquinas, Pascal—were complete skeptics who interrogated their faith incredibly thoroughly, with Augustines entire journey in Confessions being about questioning everything before arriving at faith. Similarly with thinkers such as Anselm and Aquinas, who engaged deeply with philosophy and reason rather than just believing blindly in their religion. Faith, if properly understood, is not some sort of passive acceptance but an engagement with deeper questions of existence. In his letters to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 13:5) Paul encourages inward/internal self-examination - on whether you truly believe and live by Christs teachings and while 1 Peter 3:15 focuses more on external defense, both suggest that faith should not be blind or unexamined. Peter implies that one should know their faith so thoroughly that when time calls for it one can articulate it clearly to others whilst Paul calls for deep self-reflection to ensure one’s faith is genuine. Together, they point toward a faith that is both intellectually and personally grounded. Your concern that many believers fail to question their faith is valid, but it does not necessarily indicative of faith itself as true faith is marked by the ability to doubt and come to one’s own conclusions or to dig in further. If anything, unexamined belief is a weakness but is not reflective of religion as a whole. Your own journey which you mentioned as marked by questioning and intellectual engagement is precisely the kind of thinking that leads to a faith more profound than mere cultural or habitual religiosity and has lead to much of the theological backbone that makes up religions such as Christianity today. I hope you to a conclusion about your faith you find agreeable and peaceful.
i think that’s a fair distinction to make and i don’t disagree that faith and skepticism can coexist—in fact, the most compelling theological minds were often deeply interrogative. but i think there’s a difference between the kind of rigorous questioning that thinkers like augustine and aquinas engaged in and the passive religiosity that many people fall into today. my issue isn’t with faith itself, but with how often it goes unexamined, treated more like an inherited identity than a personal conviction. skepticism, in my view, isn’t just about questioning for the sake of questioning, but about refusing to settle for shallow belief. faith that isn’t examined isn’t faith at all—it’s just habit. i’d rather wrestle with doubt than accept something just because it’s what i was taught.
I came for the writing, but I’m here for the Tumblr vibes. Love the images you integrate into your posts!
i love this ! Any recommendations for “sacrilegious video essays on youtube about philosophy”?
"so many people claim to be religious, attending church every week, yet never truly interrogate what it is they believe in."
Yes. They fall back on "God works in mysterious ways." It works, for them, for any question, from the Holocaust to priests touching kids.
oh the sensuality *chef's kiss*
Old books + late night ice cream treat + leaving me alone = 👌🏼
I found your writing to be very interesting. Grappling with the same topics myself. I wasn’t able to read through to the end but I am going to come back when I have more time.
Anaïs Nin is always in.
getting the flu as an out is so real😭😭😭😭can we make it magically disappear
I mean why not just make "ins," your outs are pretty common things to hate. To be "out" they had to be "in" at some point. I'll concede with Valentine's Day hating though haha
man, this is really powerful, profound stuff. extremely well written too. i relate to so much of this — not the specifics (my family wasn’t too religious, etc.) but generally: being a very inquisitive, questioning person. love it
actually going to quickly follow up on this: i just realized that you’re also the person who shared/suggested a bunch of philosophical rabbit-holes to research!! and then i saw your most recent comment — about getting intimately acquainted with the books you read — and… wow. every single word you write could be written by me. ❤️
Always look forward to these Caitlyn! Totally agree that hating on valentines day is out - I love it!
If you would ever like to chat faith, religion, the Devine, etc., hit me up. I like how you are thinking and processing these topics. I’ve been sifting through them too.
Well put together. Agree or disagree, it doesn't matter. This is your path to explore and find the answers you need. This is what makes us all unique and special. For me, I watch much of what goes on and try to understand what the person is trying to say. People all create it to explain the hows and whys of things. Science, religion, whatever it may be, we need to feel grounded. We want some sense of control in our lives. Not feel as if we are wandering or lost. I know everything we need is out there. How you get there, right or wrong, is up to you. Some think this is very passive, and some think it is thought-provoking, so it doesn't matter. What matters is what you think and how you feel. When lost, you ask for directions. Take in the information and come to your own conclusion. Life is a constant journey. Enjoy it. Live it. Take it all in that you want and not what others say or think you should have or do. I really enjoy the creative way you put the words out there; it is as if it is a big buffet, and we enjoy the meal together. Thank you.