Religious Questions

[tackattack]

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As Drich seems concerned that there aren't enough religion-themed questions being posted, I thought I'd help.

[NB: These are not 'trick' or 'gotcha' questions, just an attempt to start a dialogue.]

1.  Regarding the Bible, are there particular standards you use for determining what is meant literally and what is meant allegorically, or is it more of a 'gut' feeling?

2.  I know you are convinced that your religious views are the correct ones (and that's fine).  People with other religious views are convinced of their own correctness and for similar reasons.  When these views contradict each other (everyone can't be right), do you ever consider the possibility that you might be mistaken?

3.  Hypothetically, if you could be persuaded that Jesus of Nazareth was not divine, would it be possible for you to still reverence him as a great moral philosopher?

4.  How important are religious rituals to you, personally?

5.  Is there ANY passage in the Bible with which you have trouble reconciling your beliefs?

Boru

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1. I believe it can be both. I compare words with originals, gather the context from a topological exegesis and then start with the literal and move into a semiotic analysis. All that with the presuppositions that God is Real, God is Divine, and Divine inspired words should hold deeper meaning and have intricate ties, and that the allegory should be true only if the literal is true. Sometimes I am inspired to delve deeper. Sometimes I am given insight into deeper meaning. I don't believe that inspiration from God necessitates dictation of God's words and thoughts.

2. Actually more than one can be correct. Just because the different parts of the body don't have visibility of each other's function doesn't mean they're not both working toward the same goal. To answer the root of your question, I do not assume I know everything, or that my version is the correct version for everyone. I use those instances to re-evaluate my interpretation and if I feel it's correct for me, with my understanding, I agree to disagree. It's not about proving who is right, but acknowledging where you can learn from a different perspective and growing in your understanding as iron sharpens iron.

3. If Jesus said he was divine and you could convince me that He wasn't, then I wouldn't consider Him a great moral philosopher because that would make Him a liar.

4. On a scale of 1-10, one being the least, probably around a 3. Is there particular rituals you had in mind?

5. Not off the top of my head.