I have your blog on my to-read list.

My turn to applaud you. A common denominator in many stories of ex-Christians is the feeling that God somehow abandoned them. I’m sure that Job felt abandoned, too. Paul seemed a bit ticked that God wouldn’t remove the thorn in his flesh–some unnamed but persistent sin that held him bound (some suspect he might have been gay, but that’s pure conjecture based on his repeated condemnation of homosexuality [which is always interpreted as “homophobia” nowadays] and his celibacy). It’s normal to be angry at God at certain points; you, however, openly admit your skepticism might be colored by that anger. Most skeptics won’t admit that, and they get extremely defensive when the apologist points out their anger in the words they use toward their former faith. The Bible assures us we will face trials and hardship, but that our faith (trust) is perfected and made stronger through these trials. Sometimes, however, the person falls away.

I still disagree with the repeated assertions by skeptics that faith is simply believing without proof. At the end of the day, faith is trust, nothing more, nothing less.