There have been several occasions over the years when I have sat at the keyboard and my fingers seem to have done the thinking. It happened again a couple of days ago.
Apart from some clarification in one sentence this is what I wrote:
My blog is addressed to other Christians or former Christians who have been on a journey through ‘Christianity’ and come out the other side, or who have serious doubts about what they have been expected to believe.
As a result of exploring something of the Enneagram over the last couple of years I would now describe myself as an Observer or Investigator with a streak of the Challenger.
I’m not surprised when people misunderstand what I am trying to say. This was brought home to me very recently when an academic friend I have known well for over 5 years suggested that I skim over the surface of so many things and finish up doing nothing very thoroughly.
That just reinforces one of the problems I have. It was over 50 years ago that I was leading a Men’s Discussion Group in the local Anglican Church and asked the question, “What is the purpose of life?”. The immediate response of the Vicar was “Peter, you can’t ask that, that is the 64,000 dollar question (a lot of money in those days). Let’s go on to your next question”. That and my inability to get answers to some of my questions eventually led me on to what has been a very challenging journey. It must be nearly 20 years ago now that a very close friend said, “Peter, you have the knack of asking some of the awkward questions to which there are no easy answers”.
I sense that my thoughts come from that ‘in depth’ consideration of what is the meaning and purpose of life. I don’t have any definitive answers. I do have an ability to go round and round the circle, refining my thoughts by asking questions in an open minded way, free from the restrictions that are imposed by denominational theology and religious traditions.
I did reject the teaching of the trinity when I was 13, and with hindsight that has had a big impact on my thinking over the years.
I have shared something of the stories of over 2,000 people who have been on somewhat similar journeys over the last 12 years – sharing thoughts for a season and then moving on.
I have never had any formal theological training. I have been involved in the world of computer programming and business analysis for over 50 years. I was discussing this with my grandson a couple of years ago when I realised that two separate worlds – Christianity and Information Technology – had come together in 2000 at a time when I no longer had a full time job and I had the freedom to explore my chosen interests.
My real interest is in supporting and encouraging others who have been on somewhat similar journeys, and like me have serious doubts about what they have been taught but still have that sense that there is a ‘real’ meaning to life.
I created “Food for Thought” a few years ago.
