I’m a Presbyterian Minister Who Doesn’t Believe in God
How can you call yourself a Christian, let alone a minister?!
I get asked that question frequently and the questioner is hostile more often than not. Still, I like to answer it if I believe the questioner is sincere.
Though I self-identify as a Christian and I am an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), I raised eyebrows a few years ago when I posted an article on my website about how my personal beliefs dont align with those of most Presbyterians.
For example, I believe that:
- Religion is a human construct
- The symbols of faith are products of human cultural evolution
- Jesus may have been an historical figure, but most of what we know about him is in the form of legend
- God is a symbol of myth-making and not credible as a supernatural being or force
- The Bible is a human product as opposed to special revelation from a divine being
- Human consciousness is the result of natural selection, so theres no afterlife
In short, I regard the symbols of Christianity from a non-supernatural point of view.
And yet, even though I hold those beliefs, I am still a proud minister. But I dont appreciate being told that Im not truly a Christian.
Why is that so many people think my affirmations are antithetical to Christianity? I think it is because Christianity has placed all of its eggs in the belief basket. We all have been trained to think that Christianity is about believing things. Its symbols and artifacts (God, Bible, Jesus, Heaven, etc) must be accepted in a certain way. And when times change and these beliefs are no longer credible, the choices we are left with are either rejection or fundamentalism.
I think of Christianity as a culture. It has produced 2,000 years of artifacts: literature, music, art, ethics, architecture, and (yes) beliefs. But cultures evolve and Christianity will have to adapt in order to survive in the modern era.
Many of those paths will be dead ends. As Daniel Dennett once said, the dinosaurs really have not died out because modern birds carry on many of their traits. Similarly, as religions evolve, they may look similar in some respects and quite different in others. You may not even call some of them religions anymore, depending on how you define the word.
I believe one of the newer religious paths could be a belief-less Christianity. In this sect, one is not required to believe things. One learns and draws upon practices and products of our cultural tradition to create meaning in the present. The last two congregations I have served have huge commitments to equality for LGTBQ people and eco-justice, among other things. They draw from the well of our Christian cultural tradition (and other religious traditions) for encouragement in these efforts. I think a belief-less Christianity can be a positive good for society.
Belief-less Christianity is thriving right now, even as other forms of the faith are falling away rapidly. Many liberal or progressive Christians have already let go or de-emphasized belief in Heaven, that the Bible is literally true, that Jesus is supernatural, and that Christianity is the only way. Yet they still practice what they call Christianity. Instead of traditional beliefs, they emphasize social justice, personal integrity and resilience, and building community. The cultural artifacts serve as resources.
But what about belief in God? Can a belief-less Christianity really survive if God isnt in the picture? Can you even call that Christianity anymore? In theory, yes. In practice, it is a challenge because belief in God seems to be so intractable. However, once people start questioning it and realize that theyre not alone, it becomes much more commonplace.
Since posting my article and in response to my ministry in general many have opened up to me that they didnt believe in God but they liked coming to my church. One young woman, after going through my confirmation class, joined the church. She read her faith statement in front of the congregation. It was a powerful articulation of her social justice commitments in which she added that she didnt believe in God. The congregation enthusiastically welcomed her, of course.
Personally, even though I dont believe in God as a supernatural agent or force, many still do. I utilize the symbol God in worship. This may be viewed as cheating but since our cultural tradition is filled with images of God, it is near impossible to avoid. As a symbol, Im not yet ready to let go of God. It is a product of myth-making I know that but the symbol incorporates many of our human aspirations. I find that God for me is shorthand for all the things for which I long: beauty, truth, healing, and justice. Theyreall expressed by this symbol and the stories about it.
Someone quipped that my congregation is BYOG: Bring Your Own God. I use that and invite people to bring their own God or none at all. While the symbol God is part of our cultural tradition, you can take it or leave it or redefine it to your liking. That permission to be theological do-it-yourselfers is at the heart of belief-less Christianity.
I understand some Christians may react with hostility and panic to this idea they already have but it deserves an honest discussion.
Im a Presbyterian Minister Who Doesnt Believe in God , byJohn Shuck, Friendly Atheist
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God is love. If there is love, there is God.
Try reading the article before posting.
The sun rises in the East. Flowers bloom in the Spring. And Hal and Robert make smart-ass / dumb-ass remarks.
It's reassuring to see the constants of the universe confirmed...
He knows it Hal but he makes a living peddling this crap.
Hi, Dean.
Thank you for -- as usual -- an incisive, thoughtful analysis of the seed.
I always know what standard of intellect to expect from you...
You're welcome Bob. I know most of what I say goes over your head but I think it's best that I leave it that way rather than try to dumb it down so you can comprehend.
Very good, Robert! That's funny!
Dean! That's so good of you.
Nevertheless, I shall endeavor to decipher and understand your texts. I shall start with this most recent one:
... ... ... ...
... ... ... ...
Nope. Try as I may, I cannot find the slightest trace of intelligence there.
Maybe next time, Dean...
In most Christian circles we'd hear "Mr. Shuck is having a crisis of faith". The older I get the more tolerant I've become that perhaps my belief system isn't getting it "right". Then again, what or who determines whether a belief system is right...man and dare I say their individual revelation(s)with God. With the questioning I've had, I can align with much of what Shuck has to say, yet still cling to God and the afterlife.
Christianity is once again at a precipice as it must define its stance regarding social issues of today. To remain relevant and a driving force within society it must reflect those in society. Growing up, a divorced individual was shunned by many, yet not stoned because we're civilized. Divorce today isn't even on the "sin" radar.
Wondering how Shuck leads his flock! Might have to see if a podcast is available.
Great seed Bob!
Dear Friends Lynn, Bob and Others: In my community of faith we share the same types of concerns.
The same kinds of things that bother others in what they do other us in the same or very closely analogous form.
These are all good and pressing questions to which I can provide no real answers.
The best I can do is point out that while I cannot resolve everything, I choose to live a G-d centered life. I bear no animosity to those who don't. I wish everyone well with whatever path they take in this life.
I also base my life on the belief that I best serve G-d by serving the legitimate needs of one and all of his children.
If my metaphysics is errant, so be it.
I stand by the service part, and the motivation G-d gives me when I do things not because they are easy. They are hard, and drain me. I do them because they need to be done.
Peace and Abundant Blessings to One and All, Equally and With No Pre-conditions.
Enoch.
#6, without further explanation, is a non sequitur
And one of them already brought politics into the discussion!
Thank God I'm a Methodist. Believe in God, but do not adhere stringently to all their rituals, and think the Bible may be guidelines, not a formaldoctrine to be a 'believer'. Pretty good read though, taken as a book full of good stories.
Dearest Enoch,
You bring a calm spirit to my soul, thank you.
Like you, serving is the heart I was born with and propels me down this path of life.Often difficult, but the rewards are immeasurable.
When I've placed doctrine as a line not to be crossed, don't you know it's challenged. Perhaps faith is challenged to grow us as individuals, revealing the best of us.
Hal....
Yes, some factions of the United Methodist Church, may discriminate against gays. The church I attend does not, does not support those who do, nor do I discriminate against gays.
Get off it Hal. We havehad this discussion before. My answer has always been the same and will continue to be so. If you have a problem with a particular branch of the church don't whine to me, take some proactive steps to address the problem yourself. I'm done here!
Dear Friend Lynne Adams: Great points!
I always learn and am inspired by your commentary.
Many thanks. I am profoundly grateful. Please never stop being you.
Peace and Abundant blessings Always.
Enoch.
I am a Methodist, by definition of my protestant beliefs. As opposed to being identified doctrinally, such as Catholic, Lutheran, Jewish, Buddhist, atheist, or agnostic. I could just as well say rather than one denomination or another, I am WASP. My self designation is the same as my saying I am blood type O+, have brown eyes, or am 67 yrs. old.
As I learned at my church, as a child, one may be able to take what makes his belief stronger, reject or not believe in those things that do not, and basically from then on live and let live. Enough said.