3 easy but difficult steps to changing your mind

"Hell Went Away" cartoon by nakedpastor David Hayward I work a lot with people who are trying to change their minds theologically. The ones I work most intensely with are members of The Lasting Supper. I would say it is a hotbed, a petri dish, an experiment, of theological transitioning. It's a place where we endeavor to achieve spiritual independence. Join us! It's difficult to change our minds. On the other hand, it's easy. If we just follow these 3 basic steps, it will happen. That's a promise! Here are the 3 steps to changing your mind about anything:

1. Question Its Credulity: Unfortunately, for many people this first step isn't even allowed and therefore never contemplated. To even question a deeply embedded idea is anathema, rebellious, heretical, and therefore punishable. But this is always the first step. This isn't the end, but it certainly is the beginning. You have to be able to ask yourself, "Is this really true?" This first step starts the unstoppable process.
2. Consider Other Possibilities: In other words, what will replace the unhealthy, unnecessary and erroneous belief that was there before? This doesn't mean that we replace, say, resurrection with reincarnation. Rather, we replace resurrection with questions such as, "What could this have meant?" "Why was this important?" "Does this point to a deeper truth?" "What would it mean to me if I let this belief go?"
3. Wait for Truth: This is the hardest part. This is exactly where many people either give up to retreat back into comfortable beliefs or leap over into other ones that are just as unhealthy, unnecessary or erroneous. Waiting for truth to come with its attending peace is sometimes a long and arduous test of patience. But I assure you that if you wait long enough, trust in love to reveal itself, that a deep and abiding truth will slip in and overthrow our fears. And the truth is not necessarily another informational fact. Rather, it's love and peace that transcends intellectual formulations. It does come!

Many things I used to believe have drifted away. On the one hand, intellectually there is a deep and abiding peace. On the other hand, there is, I'll admit, the emotional residue of fear that I'm wrong and will pay for it. This takes a while to depart. But when I remember that perfect love casts out fear, that residue of fear eventually loses its power. I hope this helps. Again, if you want to do this in a supportive community, join The Lasting Supper.