Q. What is the most usual cause for de-conversion?

A. Life is about growth and this includes our spiritual lives. The stages along this path have, since the earliest times, been recognized and understood. They are not unique to Christianity because they follow a universal law, much the same as gravity does. They have always been recognized in genuine spiritual traditions although what they are called may differ from one tradition to another.
The part of this journey which de-conversion relates to is a very significant one. It begins in what is called blind faith. Most of the people in the Church are at this stage of growth which is a spiritual nurturing ground. They need to cling to belief and often feel threatened by anything which appears to attack it. Dogma is very important here, as it helps to build a solid foundation on which the spiritual life will be developed. Dogma is not unique to Christianity. Unfortunately, there are some areas within the Church which have taken advantage of the belief needs of blind faith and use it to exert unnecessarily excessive control. Some other individuals use this need in others as a means of satisfying their own desires for personal power and financial gain.
Transition from blind faith to a more mature understanding is an awakening process which begins with an individual having doubts, asking questions, and needing to find answers. This is accompanied by an inner feeling, urge, or call to a deeper spiritual life. Often this means stepping out into the unknown. We fear the unknown and sometimes we resist this call, which only adds to our inner turmoil and confusion.
Sooner or later the light dawns and the individual awakens to the deeper spiritual life. He or she will continue their own journey, either in the tradition they have been nurtured in or in another. With this awakening a new light of understanding and perception of spiritual realities dawns and the individual can perceive and know things that they could not before.

Q. Does the Bible make reference to the path of growth?

A. Repeatedly. It speaks of all stages of the journey. Its teaching regarding what has been discussed in the question above can be easily recognized in Mark 4:2-20 and (Acts 6:5-7:56), Acts 7:57-8:4; 9:1-22.

Q. Why does Christianity not teach these things more openly?

A. It follows the principle that Jesus taught which is found in the text from Mark above. This method is understood and used by all schools of the ancient traditional spiritual wisdom. It is well understood that until individuals are ready to receive these things they will fiercely reject them. Nurturing is accomplished by the use of sign, symbol, image or parable in a variety of forms of expression.

Q. Do those who are awakened consider themselves better or superior to those still in blind faith?

A. No, they do not. They are well aware of their own personal failings and appreciate the fact that you do not condemn a second grade child in school because they do not understand tenth grade work. Your grade in school is no reflection of your being a better or a worse person.

Q. Why do so many Christians remain in Churches which are predominated by Churchian attitudes?

A. Because of their love for God, their love for Christianity and because they recognize that they have become servants to the Churchians and the Church. Theirs is the responsibility of bearing the torch of the Inner Tradition from generation to generation.

Q. What about all the false teachings of both the Christianity and the Church?

A. The vast majority are not false teachings. When one moves behind the symbols by which they are represented, and they are properly understood, their veracity becomes obvious.

Q. Why should we pray? Prayer does not work. Besides, if it changes God's mind then he is not sovereign. If it does not change God's mind then it is superfluous.

A. There are four categories of prayer. These are Supplication (or request), Thanksgiving, Confession and Adoration. As we grow the type of prayer which predominates in our acts of worship changes. Of these four Churchians most frequently use Supplication. Before offering a prayer of supplication several things need to be considered. First, is that which I am praying for entirely selfish or in receiving it will I be benefiting others also? Will what I am asking for cause hurt or harm to another? Have I first made the personal effort to attain what I am asking for? Am I prepared to continue to make this effort? Am I prepared to pause and listen for the answer, even if it is one that I do not want to hear?
Those who offer prayers of supplication with these considerations in mind often find that they do work. The other three forms of prayer also work, even if we do not notice their effects immediately.

Q. What about all the discrepancies in the Bible?

A. Christianity accepts several different levels of Biblical interpretation. Often these are identified as the literal, the allegorical, the moral and the anagogical/mystical. It is frequently found that
discrepancies are there to encourage us to look more deeply into their meaning. When we do, we invariably find that a new understanding emerges which not only further elucidates us but which also contradicts neither of the apparent discrepancies.
The Bible was written by men who were inspired by God. Other men have also written works which were inspired by God. The books chosen to be included in the Bible were selected on their relevance and ability to convey the teachings of the Judaic-Christian religion.

Q But surely belief is only based on a persons personal opinion?

A In general terms perhaps this is so, although there is a bit more to it than this. However, the awakening which leads into the Inner Tradition of Christianity or any other valid Inner Tradition converts belief into a knowing or gnosis in which one recognizes truth because they have experienced it for themselves. Here it is no longer a matter of personal opinion, with its many defenses, but a harmonious quest for further elucidation and enlightenment regarding truth. This harmony also exists between those who are of different schools of the Inner Tradition. Each respects the others way and the exchange of views can be of great value. As the Rig Veda (one of the Upanishads) says: Truth is one, the wise name it variously.

Q. What about all the other questions?

A. Any spiritual path which claims to give quick and easy answers is not a valid path. If one wants to know then he or she must set out on a journey of discovery.

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copyright: Janet Gentles

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