Well written indeed. Tragedy seems to lead to deconstruction for many Christians that deconstruct. I would be curious though as to WHY you reconstructed. Did you actually have good reasons or was it that you were surrounded by Christians that offered you support. Losing a child is horrible, I suspect it's the most horrible thing a human can go through, but it, in and of itself is not evidence that there is no God. However, I don't believe there is much good evidence for any Gods.
For me, I had both. That is, I had what I regard as good reasons for continuing to believe with a reconstructed faith and a supportive community. Both also seem necessary. And from my perspective, if there wasn't any God, then life not only was I lacking an explanation for the existence of life but life itself seemed meaningless (nihilism). Therefore, since I couldn't reconcile with an atheistic/agnostic view, the question became whether I could learn to trust God again. Fortunately, I have.
I was once an evangelical Christian. I deconstructed about 12 years ago perhaps (that word I think is fairly new, at least I've only heard it in the last 5 years). I'm always fascinated by Christians that deconstruct (not within Christianity, but away from Christianity) and then return once again.
I've never found the lack of an explanation for the existence of life to be a factor in believing or not believing, it seems like an argument from ignorance (not calling anyone ignorant, that's just the technical term). I do not find life meaningless at all without the belief that a deity exists. I have my own reasons for living and I find meaning all the time.
Rex, thank you for sharing a part of your story and journey. God bless you in your new endeavor on Substack.
You're welcome. Thank you for reading.
Well written indeed. Tragedy seems to lead to deconstruction for many Christians that deconstruct. I would be curious though as to WHY you reconstructed. Did you actually have good reasons or was it that you were surrounded by Christians that offered you support. Losing a child is horrible, I suspect it's the most horrible thing a human can go through, but it, in and of itself is not evidence that there is no God. However, I don't believe there is much good evidence for any Gods.
For me, I had both. That is, I had what I regard as good reasons for continuing to believe with a reconstructed faith and a supportive community. Both also seem necessary. And from my perspective, if there wasn't any God, then life not only was I lacking an explanation for the existence of life but life itself seemed meaningless (nihilism). Therefore, since I couldn't reconcile with an atheistic/agnostic view, the question became whether I could learn to trust God again. Fortunately, I have.
Thanks for your comment.
I was once an evangelical Christian. I deconstructed about 12 years ago perhaps (that word I think is fairly new, at least I've only heard it in the last 5 years). I'm always fascinated by Christians that deconstruct (not within Christianity, but away from Christianity) and then return once again.
I've never found the lack of an explanation for the existence of life to be a factor in believing or not believing, it seems like an argument from ignorance (not calling anyone ignorant, that's just the technical term). I do not find life meaningless at all without the belief that a deity exists. I have my own reasons for living and I find meaning all the time.