Religion
In reply to the discussion: Evangelicals Find Themselves in the Midst of a Calvinist Revival [View all]Brettongarcia
(2,262 posts)I was exposed as a child to many churches; including Calvinist ones. And I found much of Calvinism as I understood it, as rather dark and repulsive. The notion that all human beings are by nature bad, even "depraved," seemed evil itself; having no confidence in God's creation, mankind, did not seem positive enough. To be sure, later I read Wesley; who more or less cleaned up, spiritualized, much of Calvin. But still many of these related beliefs seemed hopelessly dark.
To be sure, Calvinists seem in some readings, to aim at condemning most human beings - in order to goad us all into seeking to better ourselves. Still, as many have properly noted, notions of predestination, and being born bad, seem to militate against any chance of improving ourselves. Here some try to finesse all these contradictions, by various theological arguments; yet this fundamental problem remains.
One interesting side implication of Calvinism, however, might appeal to frustrated reformers and agnostic and atheistic leaders: in part, Calvinism seems to suggest that some of us are just born smarter, and will get it. But lots will not.
So if you spend many hours in what seem like useless, endless discussions, trying to get thru to more conservative Evangelicals? Some Calvinists will understand, it might seem.