I just started reading a book called "I Sold My Soul on eBay" by Hemant Mehta. It tells how and why Mehta became an atheist and features his church critiques, including descriptions of his visits to some of the best-known churches in the country. Mehta grew up in a family that practiced Jainism. Jainism teaches the immortality and transmigration of the soul and denies the existence of a perfect or supreme being (Answers.com).
In the first few chapters, Mehta explains how he became an atheist, but as I read a little more about Jainism, it seems he may have been an atheist without even knowing it. Jainism appears to be a very "works oriented" religion where people are reincarnated till the shed their "bad karma" and are liberated to a divine consciousness.
Mehta explains that because his parents and others couldn't give him good reasons as to why they practiced certain aspects of the faith, it led to his frustration and eventual settlement into atheism. He writes, "Instead of limiting religious teaching to matters of what to do and how to do it, tell people why they are saying certain words, performing certain rituals and adhering to certain beliefs (38)." So far I am enjoying Mehta's book and I'm looking forward to his church "critiques."
What do you think about Mehta's statement?
Why is it important to understand why we as Christians adhere to certain beliefs?
If you have questions about your faith, who do you discuss them with?
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