Why Faith isn’t Blind

I had a friend ask me when I was a junior in high school whether or not I believed the stories in the Bible were true. If Noah built an ark and survived the flood. If Adam and Eve were real people who ate forbidden fruit and had to leave the Garden of Eden. If David really did kill Goliath. If these people were even real…if these things really did happen.

I thought about it for a moment, and replied thoughtfully, “Yes. Yes I do.”

Religion tore her family apart, so she’s very skeptic about it and told me she’s read the Bible to prove that it’s not true. Therefore, I didn’t want to get into an argument or fight with her, so I didn’t expound much. However, we had a pretty good friendship (even though we didn’t have a ton in common), and she respected me and my beliefs. Specifically because she knew me and knew I was authentic. I was extremely grateful and happy that we were friends.

After I replied that I did truly believe that those things happened in real life, she began asking me questions. They weren’t questions to necessarily learn from me, but more to challenge why I said I believed. Once again, she was respectful.

This happened a few times in our friendship because she was so heavily atheist and I was/am obviously not. I didn’t mind though, because no matter what she said, I knew what I believed and she wasn’t going to change my mind or make me doubt. In fact, I think it helped me grow and learn how to ponder different things in a new perspective. The reason that I was okay with it was because she was respectful of me as a person and valued me. So even though she did not agree with my beliefs, she respected that I believed.

Anyway, our conversation continued on until she stated, “How do you blindly believe? Why do you blindly believe? Why do you believe those stories are true if you don’t have proof that they happened other than what you’ve been told all growing up? How do you believe when there’s no proof?”

I’m sure I made up some of the wording since it’s been 2-3 years since this happened, but you get the gist. The thing I remember the most, the thing that she said for sure, is, “Why do you blindly believe?”

I was immediately taken aback for a moment; not because I felt offended or confused, but because I did not know how to express to her how not blind I feel/felt. I wanted her to know how much, if even a fraction, I knew these things to be true. I desperately wanted her to know that I did not blindly believe. That faith was not blind.

I kept it short and sweet, expressing that there have been so many experiences in my life giving me proof and evidence that God lives and loves us. She nodded and accepted my answer, but it was out of respect for me as a human being, not because she believed. I was okay with that, and I still am.

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Before I dropped philosophy, my professor expressed to us that truth is truth whether we like it or not. It’s not someone’s opinion if God exists or not. He either does or he doesn’t. Now, one may believe that he exists or not but he either lives or he doesn’t. Whether God exists is not an opinion.

He then explained that our beliefs stem from our experiences and the perceptions of our experiences. For example, my professor said that a man lost in a snowstorm, scared, afraid for his life, may decide to kneel down, cry out to the sky, out to God, and exclaim that if God really existed then God would deliver him out of danger. A few minutes later, two people on snowmobiles showed up and brought the man to safety and warmth. When asked about this experience, the man said, “I don’t believe in God. I asked for His help and He didn’t save me. I was really lucky that two Eskimos showed up to help me since God refused to. If He even exists, of course.”

Side note but this story was very interesting coming from my professor as he did not seem like a religious guy whatsoever. I came to think towards the end that he was agnostic or that he believed God existed but didn’t really care. His point was clear though, and I appreciated it. I learned something from it…and that’s this:

How often do we have experiences proving that God is real and loves us but choose to believe that it was an accident or coincidence? How often do we ignore the evidence right before our eyes? How often do we ask for help, receive it, and then not recognize His hand?

It’s a different answer for each of us, and that’s okay. It’s definitely something to think about though.

November 30, 2021

Institute today was absolutely remarkable and life changing. I love my institute teacher, but since he was gone today, we had a sub. I think it’s wonderful to learn from different people because we learn new perspectives and hear different life stories and experiences.

Anyway, the sub today was amazing. His lesson made me cry and rethink everything. I just have to say that it’s by divine design that we are constantly being reminded of what’s important. The scriptures say “remember remember” over and over again. Another reason we have church each week. Another reason we read the Book of Mormon again and again. Another reason the lessons each year start over and we have them again and again. It’s because we need the reminder. We need to hear the message again and again because although it’s the same lesson (or the same topic), we learn something different each time. Right? This is especially true since every time we are at a different point in our lives that make certain aspects of a lesson more important or potent than others.

Additionally, each time a lesson/message is taught, it is taught by someone different (most times if not always) who may have a different way of viewing things. They may have specific life experiences that pertain to the topic at hand.

The institute teacher was an extremely deep thinker, and I thrived off of all his questions. He would ask us a question, someone would give their best answer, and he would ask follow-up after follow-up questions. He expressed that he didn’t have the answers, and he continues to seek for them each day and has done that for the past 20 years. I felt inspired by that.

Side note *again*

I debated over and over again whether or not I should include the following paragraph down below, but at the end of the day, being vulnerable is okay! It may not be necessary for you to know my insecurities, dreams, and wishes, but I hope it makes me more human to you. More relatable maybe….

This made me think about a future spouse and husband. I want so desperately for him to be a deep thinker like me. I want him to be able to stand his own to my many, many thoughts and questions. I honestly don’t need them answered. I just enjoy discussing thoughts and questions, as I feel I learn something new each time. If I don’t learn anything new about the topic we are discussing, most times I get to know someone better by being so vulnerable with them. That matters to me.

End of tangent/side note. 😉

After the lesson, I walked with my roommate to the library to print something. She has always been one to stand strong and make choices to stay on the path. I told her I was proud of her for all her hard work and for her wonderful example. She expressed to me that she may be good at going to church but she sucks at reading the scriptures and has always been bad at it. I discouraged that line of thinking and told her to focus on the things you do, not on the things you don’t. Over time, the things we do will increase, and the things we don’t do will decrease. All in all, that’s what matters most.

I want you to know I’m proud of that quote. Go team! 🙌🏻👏🏻🙌🏻

Now, keep in mind that the things we “do” are the actions that take faith and heart: reading the scriptures, going to church, standing up for truth, going to seminary or institute, growing your testimony, serving others, smiling at people, being kind, and having integrity. Don’t focus on the things you do or have done that make you feel ashamed…it will not help you grow. Follow the proper steps to heal from those choices and move onto things that will bring you true happiness.

December 4, 2021

I always feel I veer so far off from what I started out with, but I’m hoping that’s what makes my posts so unique and entertaining to read. I hope. [Insert laughing face and winking face here.]

Back to the title of this post….why faith isn’t blind. Why faith isn’t blindly believing.

I know for 100% certainty that if we are looking for proof, for evidence, for confirmation that He is watching over us, that He cares, that He loves us, that He knows us, that He is real, then we will find it. We will find proof. We will find evidence. We will find confirmation.

Take it for what you will, but someone in Institute said a few days ago, “Someone with an experience will never be at the mercy of someone with an opinion.”

Okay, okay, so it says “never” (an absolute…maybe a fallacy) making it iffy, but apply it to your testimony, to your character, to your heart, and maybe it will mean something to you, like it does to me.

Quick Thought: you could change the quote to “Someone with an experience will not be at the mercy of someone with an opinion,” but I think the first one is more powerful.

This quote (preferably the top one) stood out to me when a fellow classmate said it because it reminded me of the many experiences I’ve had when I knew the gospel of Jesus Christ was real and true. No one with an opinion can take away the inner feelings of my heart that stemmed from real-life experiences.

President Nelson said, “Regardless of what others may say or do, no one can ever take away a witness borne to your heart and mind about what is true” (April 2018).

So please, I urge you, look for evidence of truth, look for proof He cares, look for confirmation of what matters most to you, and over time, you will find it.