Progressive Christianity

[cercatorius]

Progressive Christian?   If you are still Christian, then you've made little progress worthy of note.

Thanks for your feedback, Chuck. I think I understand why you feel that way. Peace, friend!

[vorlon13]

What's the point of progressive Christianity ?

It can't be Salvation, that's for sure, you're damned like the rest of us here.

So, you're progressive just to be annoying ?

[Joods]

Okay.. before you all jump on the bashing bandwagon train please know that Cercatorius is my friend, first and foremost. So, if you would all PLEASE show a bit of restraint and understand that I invited her here because we don't have enough knowledgeable theists here and of the ones that are here - they either preach, try to convert, spin fantastic tales of bullshit or they engage in a circle jerk of arguments that seemingly go nowhere.

I wanted her here because, I appreciate the views she has given. She has stood up for me and MY views when several of the fundies on my facebook friends list chose to bash me for my opinions and thoughts. She gets it. She really does and if you all just give her a chance, you might come to understand that.

[cercatorius]

So.....can you explain what it means be a progressive christian?

I think that there is a broad spectrum. I'm rather in the process of deconstructing right now, to be honest. At the moment, I'm neck deep in Rene Girard's theories on mimetic theory and reevaluating my beliefs in that context.  I very much enjoy his ideas on violence and sacrifice and their place in religion.  I believe Jesus to have been someone who was more fully in touch with his own humanity than I am. His teachings offer a good guideline for me to step out of rivalry with others and hopefully evolve in my treatment of others, and also myself.

[robvalue]

Thanks for your answer It's a much more realistic and balanced view of the bible than I am used to hearing.

What makes you think any of it is true (above some historical facts that can be verified), in particular the supernatural elements? Or are you sceptical of those?

Do you think Jesus was just a man?

I'm not trying to be critical, just curious!

[LastPoet]

What's the point of progressive Christianity ?

It can't be Salvation, that's for sure, you're damned like the rest of us here.  

So, you're progressive just to be annoying ?

He would be having a partay with all of us atheists in hell. That was, if that fantasy were real.

[cercatorius]

What's the point of progressive Christianity ?

It can't be Salvation, that's for sure, you're damned like the rest of us here.  

So, you're progressive just to be annoying ?

Well, I don't believe in hell...so I don't think any of us have anything to be saved from in an eternal/supernatural sense. I personally enjoy the connection to myths and teachings found in the bible. They provide checkpoints for me regarding physical, emotional and spiritual violence, and help me to be at peace with how I see others, and myself.  I know many people who need saving from themselves and the rivalry they form with others, which always leads to some sort of violence, IMO.  I don't believe that they need a mythology or religion to do so, however.  That's my choice for a framework, and it doesn't fit for everyone. I think what's important is finding a framework that comforts and encourages you; like so many people seem to have done here.  It's really liberating and encouraging to see. 
As to being annoying - I sure might be.  I try not to be, but I suppose I cannot please everyone. 

[Pyrrho]

I feel that the bible is a collection of letters, poetry, fables, and word-of-mouth versions of events from history (not necessarily actual history), and a wonderful collection of myths.  I do not believe it to be a guidebook, history book, or science book. I do not believe it is inerrant, nor is it the inspired word of god. I think truth can be found in parts of it.  I think there is also truth in other myths (different than facts), fables, poetry, etc.  I think one of the biggest tragedies is people who want to make it a continuous single piece of work. That takes a lot of perspective away in one fell swoop.  In short, I think the bible is the pieced together written record of one group of people's ongoing attempt to make sense of their world and relate to the force of creation, and destruction.
...

If the Bible is just a collection of works written by uninspired people, why are you a Christian at all?  Why are you not some other sort of theist?  It seems to me that you have rejected the foundation of Christianity, but still accept some form of Christianity.  Why do that?

[Longhorn]

So.....can you explain what it means be a progressive christian?

I think that there is a broad spectrum. I'm rather in the process of deconstructing right now, to be honest. At the moment, I'm neck deep in Rene Girard's theories on mimetic theory and reevaluating my beliefs in that context.  I very much enjoy his ideas on violence and sacrifice and their place in religion.  I believe Jesus to have been someone who was more fully in touch with his own humanity than I am. His teachings offer a good guideline for me to step out of rivalry with others and hopefully evolve in my treatment of others, and also myself.

That sounds a little like 'christian atheism' or whatever

I'm trying to understand what it means. Could you list the biggest differences between you and a run of the mill vanilla christian?

[rexbeccarox]

Okay.. before you all jump on the bashing bandwagon train please know that Cercatorius is my friend, first and foremost. So, if you would all PLEASE show a bit of restraint and understand that I invited her here because we don't have enough knowledgeable theists here and of the ones that are here - they either preach, try to convert, spin fantastic tales of bullshit or they engage in a circle jerk of arguments that seemingly go nowhere.

I wanted her here because, I appreciate the views she has given. She has stood up for me and MY views when several of the fundies on my facebook friends list chose to bash me for my opinions and thoughts. She gets it. She really does and if you all just give her a chance, you might come to understand that.

First, I don't appreciate being told how to interact on the forum. If I see bullshit, I might call it out, and that's my prerogative.

Second, it's nice you appreciate her views and that she's stood up for you. That doesn't mean anything to the rest of us except that it's a nice thing to do. It doesn't mean her views are any less batshit than anyone else's.

Why don't you do you, let her do her, and let me be me?