Is it possible to be both a participant of a particular religion and also critically objective at the same time?

Answer 1

There are probably a number of ways of expressing this, but, quite logically, since God gave us a mind and reasoning capacity I would believe we are meant to use it to its uttermost. Specifically there are quite a number of Biblical passages which encourage critical and objective thinking. In the first instance, before one even becomes a believer, it is not possible to believe in a vacuum. This means that one needs to have some reasonable degree of information, (though of course it would not be possible to know everything) in order to know what one is believing in.

In relation to critical inquiry, there is never an instance where Jesus discouraged this, although He certainly opposed critical and hypocritical questions designed to trap Him.

The verse below, although a general promise, can relate specifically to intellectual and objective inquiry, and strongly endorses it. This does not mean that the s will always be to one's own liking but that they will be valid nonetheless.

Matthew 7:7-8 (King James Version) 7Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

8For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

I would thus endorse the comments made above and state that if a particular religion cannot stand scrutiny or is afraid of it or defensive then it has something to hide and may not be worth having.

On a personal note I have seen numerous attempts to discredit Christianity, and these themselves do not stand objective scrutiny, when looked at fairly in the light of available and objective data. Frequently people mis-quote The Bible in order to prove it wrong, and also mis-represent the views of the Christian faith for the same reason. Invalid arguments from silence and popularity (argumentum ad populum) as well as personal attacks (argumentum ad hominum)are also used as well as arguments based solely on skeptical theory with no objective and factual data whatsoever. Such argumentation itself demonstrates a kind of miso-theistic or anti-Christian religion which does not stand the type of objective scrutiny discussed here.

The fact that over 5000 individual archaeological discoveries have confirmed specific details of Biblical history, is one source of critically objective information. These have been detailed in a multi volume work by archaeologist Dr. Clifford Wilson. Others in the field are also quick to point out that no discovery in Archaeology has ever contradicted a Biblical detail.

Ancient genealogical records, which pre-date contact with Christian missionaries by centuries, and from people who kept apart, also confirm the accuracy of the ancient genealogies found in Genesis. These records are substantially in agreement with Genesis.

So, if a religion is so fragile it cannot stand scrutiny then it is in the realm of pure belief and is not connected with reality. The Christian faith claims to reveal God's acts in space and time and so can be scrutinized for accuracy where these intersect. If done so in the light of clear evidence it is not found wanting, which then points to the reliability of other aspects which are not open to such scrutiny. Of course no thinking person would expect every single detail to be confirmed, but it is amazing the high degree of actual material that does conform to the Biblical record.

Answer 2

I would suggest you should be cautious of any religious belief that is so fragile that it can not withstand well-intentioned, objective critiquing. Surely, if you can honestly criticise a religion, but still come away a firm believer, then you have proven your faith, which must then be stronger than before. So, yes, it should be possible to be both a participant of a particular religion and also critically objective at the same time.
However, that is a general statement only, and does not apply to all religions or denominations. For example, a Jehovah's Witness would face disfellowship for being critically objective, even for just reading material critical of Witness beliefs. So, in the case of Jehovah's Witnesses and some others, I would advise against being critically objective.