(December 13, 2015 at 2:34 pm)Whateverist the White Wrote:(December 13, 2015 at 2:27 pm)Catholic_Lady Wrote: As for the story of Eve eating the apple, I've talked many times about how neither me nor the majority of Catholics see this story as a literal one. It's more a symbolism of human sin, free will, and the fact that none of us is perfect and will inevitably do things wrong sometimes.
Your ability to understand your religious beliefs allegorically is a great advance over the bullocks we hear from baser forms of protestantism all the time around here. But tell me, why isn't resurrection and after life understood in the same allegorical way? I'm sure it is by plenty of catholics, especially the better educated ones. This is what allows 'believers' to be as unfettered by their beliefs as any atheist. I just wish it was more common.
Hmm, I can't say I've never met a Catholic who doesn't actually believe in an afterlife as being a real, literal thing. Same with the resurrection of Jesus. They are definitely fundamental, doctrinal teachings. But believing in a symbolic version of Genesis is indeed very common. Though there are definitely varying degrees of understanding of "original sin." I understand it as being the fact that none of us are perfect and will at times use our free will to do wrongful things.
"Of course, everyone will claim they respect someone who tries to speak the truth, but in reality, this is a rare quality. Most respect those who speak truths they agree with, and their respect for the speaking only extends as far as their realm of personal agreement. It is less common, almost to the point of becoming a saintly virtue, that someone truly respects and loves the truth seeker, even when their conclusions differ wildly."
-walsh
-walsh
