1. Self-Effacing Statements of Ignorance.
One of the most convenient ways to present yourself as deeply spiritual is to make self-effacing comments that enhance your spirituality. This is really quite easy, here’s an example:
“You know I have to confess, I’m really quite ignorant when it comes to evolution.”
This is a really simple example of how to deploy this skill. First you start with a confession, which everybody knows is ‘good for the soul’. Let’s first take a look at how this confessional opening is framed; “You know I have to confess…”. This is a personal and confidential aside that belies deep reluctance. You could as well have said “I really wouldn’t say this to very many people, but in order to be the fine, upstanding spiritually mature Christian that I am I really need to say what I’m going to say”.
Next, wow. The pivotal statement, the core confession; “I’m really quite ignorant.” Now here’s the spiritual juxtaposition; if one were to say “I’m really quite learned…” one could be rightfully accused of pride and self-centeredness. These four simple words turn this whole sentence around as we will clearly demonstrate in just a moment…because here’s the deal…
There are few things that are more spiritual to be ignorant about than evolution. I mean you could say ‘pre-marital sex’ or ‘the dating habits of lesbians’ but let’s face it, every Christian should know a bit about those two issues so as to effectively lament recent social decay. The totally cool thing about being ignorant of evolution is that there is simply nothing you need to know about it other than that it’s bad.
It’s the most spiritual ignorance there is.
