Calvinism

Q: How can anyone accept a theology like Calvinism that has such horrible sentiments and outlook for people? A: Sometimes, people have an experience in which they are told something hard to hear, which ends up being true and helpful to their personal growth. Maybe they get called out on bad behavior, or learn something disturbing about the world which is important. But then something happens, and they may start to think that everything which hurts must be true, the more painful, the more certain it is to be true. So in theology they subscribe to the darkest, most horrific version of their religion, because the truth hurts right? Another cause is toxic masculinity. There is this unspoken idea that you were more "manly" if you believed harsher things about god. It's like it made your faith more hardcore in the eyes of others. "Oh yeah? You're just a Christian because you think God is all nice. Well I think that God sends babies to hell, and I still believe in him. That makes me tough! I have real faith!" Finally, Calvinists are really good at propaganda and gaslighting. Their whole notion of original sin is in fact theological gaslighting. They make you feel like your own moral sentiments are not to be trusted, and you just have to listen to the big smart-looking old men wearing suits. If you're a young person desperate for approval, it's a very effective aesthetic.

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