In life, there are certain questions that are just not allowed to ask. Several of the questions that are prohibited in my house are about church, the Bible, and the God. I would first like to assure that my parents are the most wonderful human beings on this planet, and I sincerely respect and love them. Yet my parents and I have different beliefs, although my mom and dad have never allowed me to have those.
Every Sunday morning that I went through in my life was spent in the church. I had thought that I believed in the words of the Bible. I had considered myself as a Christian. I have used past perfect tenses (obviously), which indicates that I changed. Oh, yes I did. Apparently, I began to think with my own brain instead of admitting beliefs that are force by others to trust. Additionally, I began to develop ability to question.
Every Sunday afternoon, my family spends time together (with some forceful compulsions) reading the Bible. I was in Japan this Sunday; but no exception was allowed. We still had to read the “Holy Book”. I wanted to waste some time and give my eyes a short break from reading off of such tiny fonts.
“Can Science and Christianity co-exist?” I asked. I bit the forbidden fruit.
My father—after staring at me for a moment—gave a negative answer, saying “No, they cannot co-exist.” Then, I asked him another question, whether he goes to hospital or depends on medicine when he’s sick, with additional comments that they are also part of science and Christians including you (father) do accept those things. He slowed to speak a word out. However, he didn’t stop. He said, “Believers and devotees do not accept certain logics and concepts of science, and that’s why there are high controversies emerging constantly between religion and science.”
“What do you mean by ‘certain logics and concepts of science’?” I asked, and another hesitation occurred. After few seconds of hesitation, “Big Bang theory and idea of evolution are some examples of scientific beliefs that Christians do not agree with,” he said. “Dad, then why do you accept medical treatments? Isn’t the God the one who decides one’s health? Shouldn’t he be the one who release a person from pain of disease? What is a standard for us to decide what to accept and not?” My father told me that we should look at the Bible, yet it didn’t really make sense to me. The Bible is an old book. We have completely different society with new technology that the Bible cannot give specific example to look at.
My father couldn’t give me a clear answer that released me from an endless and heavy doubtful point. Nor the Bible could help me. I don’t think my preacher can help me out. I think no one can. Then what about you, God? Can you give me an answer to my questions? If you can, please “ning” me.