Why Questioning Your Beliefs can be so Scary
Questioning your beliefs can be scary. Terrifying! It's not just like not
believing in Santa or the Tooth Fairy or Unicorns. Our beliefs about God are deeply
enmeshed with the meaning of life and our reason for living. These beliefs are foundational!
Our beliefs mean everything to us. That's what inspired this cartoon, That's what inspired this cartoon. Questions Can be Scary.
We instinctively know that when we start to question our beliefs it's going to change everything. Our family, friends, and partners know this too. The pressure's on. Will we allow this to happen? Or is it going to happen to us?
That's what inspired this cartoon, Turn on Questioning Your Beliefs
What did you do? Did you flip the switch?
What will you do? Will you flip the switch?
Advice For Questioning Your Religious Beliefs
Don't let others... or yourself!... shame you for feeling afraid. This is real! Talk with people
every day who wrestle with this fear. It's real. I encourage people to let the questions come.
Don't deflect them. Don't ignore them. Let them live with you. You'll get used to them and, maybe like me, you'll find peace of mind in spite of them... in fact, because of them!
It can feel very agonising to question and rethink your beliefs. Now... there may be people outside of your head who will continue to think and maybe even dare to say these things. But don't let them in!
You're fine.
You're okay.
You're perfect.
What Is Deconstruction
I talk a lot about faith deconstruction in my art and writing. Deconstruction is the process by which people rethink their faith or previously held beliefs. There is no end point for deconstruction. Your faith could get stronger or you could abandon it altogether. If you're questioning your beliefs I think you'll find healing in my religious deconstruction art.
You Can't Predict Where Questioning Your Beliefs Will Lead You
As we enter deconstruction, we comfort ourselves by declaring there are some beliefs that are non-negotiable for us... like believing in Jesus or the existence of God or... whatever beliefs are most precious to you.
We prevent ourselves from becoming to frightened by assuring ourselves that we will only go so far and no further. We're willing to take risks, but not too great a risk!
I always smile inside when someone shares their deconstruction trauma with me and they insist that they will never forsake this or that belief. "Well, fasten your seatbelt!" I think to myself.
I don't think it's wrong to make such declarations. Coping with trauma has many options and variables.
But real growth must mean being stretched beyond what we have seen, what we've experienced, and what we know. We don't have the thoughts or the words to describe where we have not yet been.
My advice? Try to relax. Acknowledge the fear. But don't let it cripple you. You are growing and you will come to an even more beautiful place. Enjoy the ride! If you'd like more support, I wrote a book, Questions are the Answers to help people through
this journey.
