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Seriously AV, think about it. Creation science has me very close to the border. If one has to accept things that are known not only wrong (incorrect), or just plain made up in order for a doctrine (creation science) to believe the bible, what does that say about that doctrine? Frankly, I really don't understand why the greater mainstream Christian community doesn't speak out against it. It is a huge violation of the 9th commandment.
IMHO, based on my decades as a Christian, and being indoctrinated at a young age, it seems to me that at the bottom of it all, it's not about what's true, but about control. Church leaders must convince the congregants that this must be believed literally, beginning with Genesis, and this necessarily causes one to be obedient to an authority figure. If you can convince someone that they should critically evaluate claims, with the exception of this one set of precepts, then you've got them hook line and sinker. It's group think to the core.
We won't come into the "unity of the faith" until Jesus comes back.
If a literal Genesis causes one to be obedient to an authority figure, what does a non-literal Genesis cause?
You said that already.
It allows us to not have to make stuff up in order to believe in God. Where in the bible does it say that Genesis is literal?
Honestly AV, I never questioned anything in the bible until I encountered 'creation science'. As a result of reviewing creation science literature and claims my eyes were opened to numerous problems with a literal interpretation. In addition as I learned how the bible was compiled, how scriptures differed, and why was one chosen over the other, looking at all the different denominations, etc., etc., etc.; I am struggling quite a bit to remain a Christian. But to answer your question, I'm probably more in Hitch's camp than yours currently. I don't deny God, I question what is and is not true scripture or whether it is literal or not.
I'm sorry to hear that, Rick.
I'm not going to make things up or ignore facts I know to either believe or disbelieve in God. And if we can revisit the original point being made, many Christians leave the faith mainly due to other Christians.
FTR Rick, I personally didn't leave the faith because of other Christian's behavior. I accepted the fact early in my Christian faith that their behavior was no better/worse than anyone else's. My decision to leave the faith came slowly, until one day I just realized I didn't believe any longer.
Perhaps they can join Gandhi's {I like your Christ; I don't like your Christians} club?
I just watched this video for the third time.
