Yes, but... 2

From the inside:
  The person who puts a coat over his head and wraps it around his face sees the lining of the coat.  If it's a flannel pattern, and there is a little light to see by, he sees the flannel pattern.  He can describe the intricacies of the pattern, the texture, maybe some hidden stitches. 

From the outside:
  The person looking at this guy with a coat wrapped around his head sees a guy who thinks it's important, or appropriate, to wrap a coat around his head. 

From the inside:
  The person inside a faith, such as Christianity, who has enough light to see by sees details within the faith.  He or she memorizes Bible verses, reads the whole Bible, listens to teachers and preachers of all sorts.  He or she can describe the intricacies of the inside of the faith.  Why is contraception wrong?  What did the tribe of Levi do right or wrong?  Should women be allowed to wear jewelry?  The answers are in the warp and woof of the lining.

From the outside:
  The person outside a faith sees something of the character of God.  If looking at the Christian faith, she or he sees a God reaching out in love and forgiveness and grace.  If looking at the Jewish faith she or he sees a God who made a covenant with a particular tribe.  If looking at the Muslim faith, he or she sees a God demanding ritual worship and absolute obedience.

Yes, but . .
  but the patterns looks like this from the inside.  The texture feels soft from the inside.  You don't have the right coat around your face if you don't acknowledge the particulars of detail the way I see them.

I suggest we unwrap the coat and look at the faith movement we are examining from the outside.  What is the defining aspect.  All that other junk is just, "Yes, but. . . "

What do you think?  Share your views and let us know.