Dr. Felix Unger, professor emeritus of philosophical diatribe at Universität Düsseldorf, was quoted as saying, “When you assume, you make an ass out of u and me”. With all do respect, I disagree. We make assumptions, consciously or not, all the time. As I write, I assume that someone will read it. Shout out to the ones of you that do! You may read it assuming that you will not regret never being able to get those five minutes back. D’oh! Most, by a vast majority I might add, that have stopped in their car on train tracks assumed that they wouldn’t get hit. Or that they could beat a train through a crossing. Side note- if you get hit by a train, that’s on you, bruh. A train’s path is fairly predictable.
Without making assumptions, we would suffer the “paralysis of analysis”. Getting our morning coffee, we’d be inclined to yell “When!”, not assuming that the barista knew when to stop pouring. Just for kicks, try that when you can go inside a Starbucks again. Your morning commute? You’d have to approach every intersection slowly and cautiously, wondering if traffic on the side streets would heed the traffic signs or signals. When you get clobbered from behind, and rest assured you will, you’ll get the ticket after explaining to the officer what you were doing. Justifiably so, IMO. In the last thirty minutes, you assumed the chair on which you sat would hold you, the snack you ate wouldn’t kill you, and the foil hat you are wearing will keep the 5G electro whatevers from eroding your brain.
Faith based assumptions are necessary, especially from a Christian perspective. Our assumptions must be well informed if we want to reasonably avoid hazards or fear. There is the inherent unknown, the possibility of outcomes that cause pain or anguish. We need know the risk/reward ratio. And then we need to act.
What (or Who) is informing your faith based assumptions?
(Click “Stand On Firmer Ground” for a deeper look into Faith Based Assumptions)