Continuing my study of existentialism I was struck by the importance of feeling as a means of supporting truth.
I was reminded of a discussion of Christianity with my Mormon friend, and the question of how I knew that orthodox Christianity was true. This question is generally ammunition that naturalists use when attempting to ungird Christianity, so I was slightly surprised to hear it coming from a fellow theist.
After explaining my rationale for believing in Christ, my friend was obliged to answer the question "how do you know that Mormonism is true?"
The stunning response was "it feels right". "I prayed about it and it feels right."
It is impossible to argue with experience so I was left adrift in the sea of my mind looking for a response.
I now see that logic such as this as the greatest draw the present era. Naturalism has been stripped apart by deism and no longer stands on its own. At the same time, fatalism is something that most individuals seek to avoid. Finding truth by personally assigning meaning to them and trusting in feelings over empirical evidence is exactly what my friend used to justify the Mormon faith. Is it no surprise that our culture responds so quickly to that methodology? Maybe that is why there are over 13 million Mormons worldwide.
Mormonism offers truth, belonging and morality that can be ‘proven’ by feeling alone. What else could anyone in the modern era ask for?
I was reminded of a discussion of Christianity with my Mormon friend, and the question of how I knew that orthodox Christianity was true. This question is generally ammunition that naturalists use when attempting to ungird Christianity, so I was slightly surprised to hear it coming from a fellow theist.
After explaining my rationale for believing in Christ, my friend was obliged to answer the question "how do you know that Mormonism is true?"
The stunning response was "it feels right". "I prayed about it and it feels right."
It is impossible to argue with experience so I was left adrift in the sea of my mind looking for a response.
I now see that logic such as this as the greatest draw the present era. Naturalism has been stripped apart by deism and no longer stands on its own. At the same time, fatalism is something that most individuals seek to avoid. Finding truth by personally assigning meaning to them and trusting in feelings over empirical evidence is exactly what my friend used to justify the Mormon faith. Is it no surprise that our culture responds so quickly to that methodology? Maybe that is why there are over 13 million Mormons worldwide.
Mormonism offers truth, belonging and morality that can be ‘proven’ by feeling alone. What else could anyone in the modern era ask for?
Thanks L. for all your insight; I still pray for you.
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