"Questions are powerful truth-finders. At all costs, avoid religious groups that fear questions. Anyone who believes they have the truth should not only encourage questions, but should have solid answers for what they believe, especially if they are a leader. When asking serious questions about serious topics like the subject of Hell, look them right in the eye when asking the questions. The eyes will give away whether they are firmly convinced on their answer or if they are just passing on the "traditions" of their sect."
I came across this paragraph while reading an article online. And I smiled...
I knew exactly what he was talking about,
I could picture it, half memory and half projection, me sitting there and asking some authority figure and not really getting an answer.
I never tested them, that honestly never crossed my mind. I only wanted the truth, and if what someone said felt wrong... well I had to know if it is, a lot was at stake.
My reason and my faith were both at stake.
Then I became such a leader myself, and me and some friends tried to operate in a certain way that promoted questions. And there seemed to be a sort of fear of what we were doing, and it sometimes felt like a fear of us.
Maybe we wouldn't know how to answer, maybe nobody else would know how to answer, maybe there is no answer!
"So let's just make it controlled, please... no need to confuse people."(!)
This happened & will happen thousands of times in our church. And no, it is NOT acceptable.
Do not trust any religious group who does not welcome questions with open arms, and do not trust any religious group which doesn't really answer them.
Christ was the Truth, by the way... and it's funny how those who call themselves Christians are now trying to dodge truth-finders.
