Embracing Agnosticism

Agnostic: A Spirited Manifesto by Lesley Hazleton (accidentaltheologist.com)

One in four Americans reject any affiliation with organized religion, and nearly half of those under thirty describe themselves as "spiritual but not religious." But as the airwaves resound with the haranguing of preachers and pundits, who speaks for these millions unwilling to reduce the wonder of existence to a simple yes/no choice?

Lesley Hazleton does. A widely admired writer on religion, here she champions agnosticism as the most vibrant, engaging--and ultimately most honest--attitude toward the wonder of existence. Provocative and brilliant, inspired and inspiring, Agnostic delightfully recasts the question of belief not as a problem to be solved but as an invitation to an ongoing, open-ended adventure of the mind.

As with the labels "Catholic," "Christian," "Atheist" and the increasingly popular "Secular Humanist," when it comes to this word "Agnostic," there are lots of mixed opinions and emotional responses. I frequently hear congregational members complain and puzzle over why their children or grandchildren don't attend or belong to any religious organizations and churches. Chances are, I tell them, it is because they are uncertain about their spiritual beliefs or burned out about institutionalized religion for one reason or a thousand. I emphasize the importance of listening to understand versus listening to defend the honor of Christianity or the church. There is a huge difference and most people whom consider themselves agnostic can smell the latter a mile away when discussing religion with the religious. I know this because in all honesty, agnosticism is a land I have frequented more and more these days.

Yes, I have found it is much more likely often times to engage in dialogue with the uncertain crowd without feeling intimidated or annoyed. Don't get me wrong, one of my favorite topics is Christianity and I rarely pass on a opportunity to give my two cents on it, but given the current climate of the Christian religion, it's just that the subject is more than a little confused at the moment.  Everyone from our President to super zealous athletes and celebrities believe a different version of "the good news" and if you're not aware of your own beliefs or theology, and even if you think you are, the conflicting messages that these big personalities give will make your head spin. Instead, I'm sure it is just easier to create some distance and check the box "no affiliation," and continue to tip-toe around those moments by claiming agnosticism as your religion of choice.

I get it. And so does Lesley Hazleton.

To be agnostic is to acknowledge both paradox and conundrum...the unknowable and yet explore it at the same time, and to do so with zest, in a celebration not only of the life of the mind, but of life itself. Pg 21

Perhaps you are a person or know a person struggling to find their way because Christianity has been a let down or you're just not able to believe in the supernatural like you used to. Maybe you're more comfortable with "maybe's" and "I don't know's" and a life of mystery and the unknown and prefer not to muddy the waters with doctrine or theology. Whatever the reason behind the wandering, I think anyone curious about the middle zone between belief and disbelief benefits from Hazleton's manifesto. Agnosticism need not be feared by Christians, nor should it be a label to hide behind or end conversation with your preachy friends--what is at stake here is not whether faith is the problem. Faith is what unites the deep thinkers of this world,  especially the scientifically minded--the category of people most often checking out of churches or shunned by Bible-lovers and fundamental Christians.

When dogmatic atheists assume that science has all the answers, or imagine that it soon will, they are no more immune than the most literal religious fundamentalist to the deceptive enchantment of certainty...Faith, along with its partner doubt, is as essential to science as it is to religion. Or rather, as essential to good science as it is to good religion.

Being a scientist requires having faith in uncertainty, finding pleasure in mystery, and learning to cultivate doubt. There is no surer way to screw up an experiment than by being sure of its outcome. Pg. 76, Stuart Firestein, Columbia University neuroscientist 

If I believed that such a thing as perfection was possible, then 'having faith in uncertainty' would be a perfect definition of what it is to be agnostic. 

I don't think anyone has it all figured out. When people feel like they do, I am instantly suspicious. There's nothing wrong with holding firm beliefs to help navigate the turbulent seas we often find ourselves being swamped and tossed to and fro by. And yet, for faith to be honest, what I think this book does a wonderful job at conveying is that agnostics aren't in need of a life-boat towards the shores of belief--they're craving more company in the underrated joy and exhileration of uncertainty. Maybe it's time to jump in the water with them and experience a new point of view? 

In memory of my Dad, who would have turned 70 years old today, on this the first day of spring. No one taught and inspired a spirit of curiosity in me more than my parents. 

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