Why You Should Never Ever Start Asking Questions

The first in a series of blogs by David Hayward, aka the Naked Pastor …

I recently read a news article about a Chinese miner found alive after 17 years underground. You should read it. It’s good for a laugh. Especially the comments. They actually inspired this cartoon this morning.

Of course, the article is not true. It is posted on a site who’s disclaimer states that its posts are fiction. However, we are so gullible that we gobble up sensational stories like this.

When readers questioned the story and its facts, another one responded:

“Whats the source for you to say source? Boring boring boring mind you saying ‘source’ like a parrot saves you ever having to think for yourself, so you can live by rote.”

When I read that comment my immediate response was, “Gee, it’s not just religion. It’s life!” I totally recognize this person’s objection to the questioning of the article. Why? Because questions spoil the fun. They take the sensation out of sensationalism. No one, and I would argue, no thing, likes to be investigated. Truth is usually harder and less amazing than lies.

We love click-bait. You know… news stories that always have the word “shocking” in it, or “you won’t believe what happens next”. You take the bait and click on the story only to discover that it’s not shocking and it’s totally believable.

I clicked on the Chinese miner story because…
I like good news in a world full of bad.
I like happy endings in a world full of sad.

But that isn’t reality. That isn’t the truth. We can’t handle the truth.

So once you start asking questions, like these poor exclamation marks with a question-mark piñata, it opens the door for more. So don’t start asking questions unless you want to go down that road! One commenter started by asking, “Source?” and the rest of the questions start pouring out and ruined the party. Questions are killjoys.

This is what happens in the church too. It’s fun to believe lies. It creates and sustains a fantasy world that we desire. It helps to insulate us from the truth, the cold hard facts of reality.

For example, if you start questioning the inspiration of scripture, fasten your seat belt. That will open up a whole piñata of questions. That’s what got me started.

Now, this isn’t to say that there is no happiness in the truth. Rather, it is to say that delusions generate another kind of happiness that is more like a coping mechanism. Some believe that these delusions are necessary and inevitable for our happiness. I might partially concede to that. But that’s not at the sacrifice of a delusion-free happiness. 

Isn’t happiness with truth best?

Check out my book Questions are the Answer to get a better idea of what I'm talking about!