I'm a Christian - I was brought up as such and my faith's grown steadily over the years. Yes, there have been setbacks as there will be to anyone - but overall it's been something that's gradually grown as I've invested more time in God (and for anyone struggling, that's the one general piece of advice I'd give for getting back on track).
Sure - there's lots of corrupt "Christians" out there, just as there's lots of corrupt people from all religions out there. There has been in the past, there is at the moment and it's probably not going to stop any time soon. It upsets me and it angers me frankly - but I don't personally see that as a reason for not believing. I could do anything and claim that it's in the name of Jesus, but that doesn't mean it's been endorsed by God! Heck there's probably a lot of corrupt atheists out there as well but that doesn't mean we all ditch atheism
As to science having all the answers - I don't believe it does. People have had that attitude for hundreds and thousands of years, right back to when everyone "knew" that the earth was flat and at the centre of the universe. Fast forward a few hundred (or thousand) years and yes, we've sorted that one out - but get down to quantum physics, wave particle duality and relativity and no-one genuinely understands how it all works and how it fits together. Heck, the whole base of that side of science relies on the existence of a particle that everyone just assumes is there because no-one can work out how things would work otherwise!
That's not just restricted to the field of quantum theory either. The best scientific explanations for this universe being created with the ability to support any kind of life are roughly equal to the chances of a tornado tearing through a scrap heap and leaving a fully functional jet fighter behind!
I'm not against science, I'm not ditching it and I'm not saying scientists shouldn't find all they can - heck I'm all for exploring this universe and getting down to the nitty gritty of what it's made of and how it works. But in its current state, I really can't see how it comes close to giving us all the answers in a sensible format.
Personally I wouldn't get nearly as excited about Christmas, Easter or suchlike if I wasn't a Christian and I honestly struggle to see how people do sometimes. Sure it's a nice chance to meet up with everyone and exchange presents - but is that really a huge amount to get excited over?! For that reason I do raise a bit of an internal eyebrow when people wish me "happy holidays", I mean why at Christmas and not when I'm taking a day off work to relax a bit in the summer? Surely that'd be just as valid? If someone wished me a happy (insert other religious festival here) I could at least see where they were coming from. To me "Happy holidays" just seems so empty and lifeless in comparison to "Happy Christmas".
Whatever I'm wished though I will graciously accept it however I might feel inside...!
