Why Do You Believe?

It's been common for me for many years, but since I've been making attempts to increase my online presence, it's become even more a part of my normal life to engage with atheists on the internet in various ways. Among many of those atheists, there are a few different tropes that seem to be almost invariably brought up, many of them touching on beliefs that Christianity and theism, in general, are either irrational or anti-science.

As many who've known me for any length of time will attest, I have always been a logic-driven person with a highly analytical mind. On top of that, I have a long history of blowing people's minds by talking about the fact that I'm enough of a nerd to spend my nights researching not only historical, but scientific topics for fun. Due to those factors, these tropes have never really made sense to me.

For example, to assert that Christianity or theism is anti-science not only shows a substantial lack of knowledge about Christianity, but also the history and philosophy of science. Not only have many of the greatest scientists in the history of the world been theists — many of them Christians — but there have been many discoveries made by modern science that seem to pretty strongly support theism, or at least the concept of a consciously-created universe. I don't personally see a consciously-created universe as a possibly without theism, so I don't see the distinction there, but the distinction has been made, so I'll stick with it.

As far as the logic and rationality argument goes, I suppose it's fair to say that I simply don't understand it. Yes, if one were to subscribe to many of the straw man arguments presented by internet atheists, it would be easy to label theists as irrational and incapable of logical thought, but more often than not, those arguments aren't what's actually being put forth by theists. And even when they are real arguments, the refutations simply don't stand up to scrutiny.

And that leads me to the bedrock of my reasoning for why I believe what I do. I've spent many years researching and studying not only the Bible itself, but the evidence for the truths contained within it. Over the course of those years, I've found example after example of the accuracy of what I believe, while also intentionally seeking out arguments against it. I have come across a few that require some thought and even some I can't actually answer, but I have yet to come across any anti-Christian argument that stands up to genuine scrutiny as a defeater.

In other words, I don't have an answer and I do have to think about some things I do end up finding answers for, but no atheist argument I've ever seen has been anywhere near compelling enough to make me think my beliefs might actually be faulty. So, as I continue to find compelling reasons to hold to my beliefs and nothing compelling against them, it seems to me I can't be rational unless I continue to hold to my Christian faith.

I know there are some who might read this post and take issue with the fact that I'm a Christian who actively seeks out opposing views and wants to listen to the best arguments against my faith, but I take exactly the opposite stance. I think everyone should be asking themselves, "Why do I believe what I believe?" Some may say that's what led them away from theism, but questioning my beliefs and listening to those who attempt to dispute them has played a major role in strengthening my faith over the years.

So, for anyone who might be out there reading this, I ask you, theist or atheist... Why do you believe what you believe?