"This is my truth, tell me yours"

The music fans amongst you probably recognise the title as an album by the manic street preachers. However it was also the title of a sermon given by a vicar at my church. Seven words that really spoke to me about the nature of religion, science and human experience.

The modern world is full of belief in things we don't strictly know to be true and knowledge of things we know to be true.

Science consists of a mixture of both of these types of knowledge. Certain theories are incomplete even that famous battleground of thought the theory of evolution is not truly complete, though the phrase "near as damnit" applies here.

Maths is a place of absolute truths. Where even 1+1=2 has a long and complex proof.

At the other end of the scale are our personal beliefs which are held to varying levels of strength. I personally am pretty sure that I get better at pool after a couple of drinks, this hypothesis is yet to be fully tested. Atheists, often seen as agents of reason, sometimes still stick to superstitions. A friend of mine, a devout atheist (if you'll excuse the contradiction in terms), still keeps a lucky toy with her when she travels.

My life as a scientist who also happens to be a Christian exists some where in a maelstrom if these two types of knowledge. Laws - absolute truths. my religious beliefs are my personal truth, from my perspective they are correct. This of course is of interest only to me and others who specifically ask about them.

The problem arises when other people attempt to force their truths onto others. The typical door to door christian who knocks to talk to you about Jesus. Jesus asked Christians to spread the word. I have news for the door to door denominations. In the west, at least, it's done. Everyone has heard of Christianity, there are churches everywhere, and if you've missed the Christmas celebration every year you have problems that an invite to bible group will not help with.

On the other hand, I think forcing atheism down somebody's throat is also wrong. Its the other end of the spectrum, where my wearing of a cross makes people feel enabled to make assumptions about my faith or assume they have the go ahead to tell me I'm stupid for having a belief.

Of course, generally, most people sit in the middle, letting each other get on with their lives. Its just typical that the extremes are the loudest.

The question is where am I going with all this? Two places.

Firstly, the point of this articles title. We all need to have respect for each others truths. Here when I say truth I mean personal truths. I know many lovely pagans, I also know a handful who are very disrespectful of other religions. I know many lovely atheists but again several who are very disrespectful of anyone with a religion. Then we come to Christian's...

The Christians who I know and love are wonderful. I'm very lucky in this respect, my church is very liberal and so are almost all the Christians who I personally know but I only have to spend five minutes reading a comment page before coming across some truly hateful words.

No wonder the cross I wear causes judgement. I don't blame anyone who judges me for it. For the followers of a man who said a lot about judging others, all of it negative, we are truly a judgemental bunch. So if you're reading this and a christian has judged you. Then I am apologising on their behalf, it's really not what they should be doing and they've been told by the book they're meant to follow not to do it, repeatedly.

Does this make me judgemental? I personally am not judging their actions as a person but for doing it in the name of Christ. If they want to be homophobic, misogynistic, etc. That's their problem but misrepresenting Christianity to try and do it, that I can't abide.

To my second point, human beings are naturally a fairly contrary lot. We like to do the opposite of what we are told to do. Spend two minutes watching a crowd being told what to do by a police officer and you'll see what I mean. Preaching at people often has one of two effects, they agree with you but are quick to agree with whoever next tries to change their mind or they cling tighter to their original belief, in the case of religion this can become fundamentalism, something this world needs no more of.

If you'd like some science on the truth of this effect: http://m.newyorker.com/online/blogs/mariakonnikova/2014/05/why-do-people-persist-in-believing-things-that-just-arent-true.html

When you do find yourself telling your truth, no matter what that truth is, be sure you have time to hear the other persons. Free speech has given us a wonderful opportunity to hear how each of us see the world. Who knows, you might find a new truth together.

in the beginning was the word and the word was "engage"

I needed somewhere to put my left wing Christianity, love of science and overexcitedness about sci-fi.

In full recognition that the three things together would alienate most of my audience. Like a pray the gay away weekend that includes a production of footloose.

Might as well get out all the things that are going to upset possible readers:

Things I have no problem with and I see no problem with in the bible: LGBT people, gay marriage, (lots more may be added as time continues)

Things I have a problem with, that I think Jesus might be upset about and I'm pretty sire the Bible says a few things about: judging others, rich churches, (may add lots more later)