{"id":37261,"date":"2023-07-07T15:03:01","date_gmt":"2023-07-07T13:03:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kernbeisser.ch\/rethinking-faith\/"},"modified":"2026-05-24T12:54:08","modified_gmt":"2026-05-24T10:54:08","slug":"rethinking-faith","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/kernbeisser.ch\/en\/rethinking-faith\/","title":{"rendered":"Rethinking faith"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/1″][vc_custom_heading separator_color=”yes” separator=”under” sub_lead=”yes” sub_reduced=”yes” uncode_shortcode_id=”166450″ subheading=”Of deconstruction and reconstruction and the opening up of new horizons”]Rethinking faith[\/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text text_lead=”yes” uncode_shortcode_id=”113863″]Faith cannot be taken for granted. We change ourselves in life and our faith also changes. What we believed as children sometimes carries over into adulthood. Then, for some, there comes a day when previous concepts no longer prove their worth, when they are no longer convincing. A process of rethinking is beginning. How can we rethink beliefs?[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”169687″]<\/p>\n

Changes are real<\/h3>\n

Life means change. Living faith can evolve. However, a previous belief can also be lost. What is needed in change is honest and open discussion. However, just an honest discussion is feared in some circles and often demonized and prevented: In case of changes, one would lose faith, lose salvation, get lost, end up in the clutches of the devil and these things more.<\/p>\n

Change can be challenging when you are stuck in an environment that is not open to change. But when the urge to live is greater than the construct in which one was trapped, people free themselves – often in a sincere trust in God, who is above all.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”814211″]<\/p>\n

What’s next?<\/h3>\n

If you recognize that you are in a process of change, then many questions come up. Hopefully, one finds the courage to question time-honored opinions, to expose supposed “Bible-based teachings” as “without biblical reference.” Perhaps one has had enough of the black and white thinking of one’s own faith community, enough of always thinking in terms of right or wrong, good or evil. Perhaps one has discovered that the world is somewhat larger than one’s own community.<\/p>\n

We then move on to concrete steps. You question and come to new conclusions. The previous environment may be abandoned. One is critical of doctrinal beliefs and wonders how to shape a healthier faith. Or you can go even further, and question everything.<\/p>\n

Many people have traumatizing religious experiences. This is far less explored in Europe than in, say, the United States. The same mechanisms of cults operate in so many other faith communities. The consequences often shape people for a lifetime.<\/p>\n

What you need to deal with most urgently is likely to be a little different for everyone. Some feel downright cheated, abused, mistreated and taken for fools. There, a clear demarcation from abuse helps first. Reprocessing requires more time.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”487703″]<\/p>\n

Rethinking faith<\/h3>\n

In loose succession on this page appear contributions to<\/p>\n