I am a devout Christian, but I won't take the word of a pastor just because he is a pastor. I believe what I read and study and think about and determine for myself to be true, not what somebody else tells me.

On Christianity and self-esteem, the Bible does say we shouldn't think about ourselves more highly than we ought, but that isn't saying we shouldn't think highly of ourselves at all. So many people, clergy and laity alike, misunderstand that.