Buddhist<\/a> retreats or reading about Celestine prophecies or God knows what. They aren\u2019t seeing churches as places where they migth go to think seriously about their religious questions.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\nI appreciate The Christian Century<\/strong>\u2018s motto: \u201cfaithful living; critical thinking<\/em>\u201c! Good mix. For me, as a pastor with young people in my own family and in our church, I think Placher is right. We need to allow our children, as well as adults, to ask the hard questions. Also, what people may be finding in Buddhist retreats and prophecies is religious experience. I think we should make every effort to make our churches communities where critical thinking can occur, as well as a place where God may be perceived, where people may actually exclaim, \u201cGod is really among you<\/em>!\u201d Theological depth and the presence of God among us is a mix I desire and encourage.
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