Progressive Christianity

[Minimalist]

Bsides, we're all cute and fluffy

Sharks are all that ain't they?

Don't say "sharks" in North Carolina.

[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.

I think she can fend for herself Judi. Why so worry?

She can absolutely fend for herself. I asked for her to be given a chance. This is a sort of "get to know you" phase as in any relationship. So many times I see a religious person come into these forums only to be knocked down right away because they are the minority, the rare of the group. I have much respect for her and I guess I was trying to protect that. Part of my nature is to care. Especially when one of my friends are involved. Apparently it would seem that trying to have my friend's back has touched a nerve.

[cercatorius]

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?

I've definitely rejected the contemporary, conservative Christian foundation. I don't feel that fundamentalist Christians have an honest or academic grasp on a lot of the things they purport Christianity to be.

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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.

Yep. And someone's views being criticized =/= that someone being criticized

Bsides, we're all cute and fluffy

I'm fine, really.  My theological belief system is Progressive Christianity. I *am* a pretty decent human.   My identity is not at stake for me in these discussions.

[robvalue]

You can call yourself Christian just fine as far as I'm concerned. I strongly believe that if Christianity is to survive at all, it's going to have to become far more liberal and non-literal, so I see your stance as the right direction. It just so happens to be the direction I personally like too, because of the lack of fundamental ridiculousness and bigotry that goes along with it.

No one gets to say who is and isn't Christian. It's become so diverse that it means virtually anything now. You seem to be able to separate yourself from your beliefs and not take it all personally, which is something a lot of theists struggle with.

[rexbeccarox]

I think she can fend for herself Judi. Why so worry?

She can absolutely fend for herself. I asked for her to be given a chance. This is a sort of "get to know you" phase as in any relationship. So many times I see a religious person come into these forums only to be knocked down right away because they are the minority, the rare of the group. I have much respect for her and I guess I was trying to protect that. Part of my nature is to care. Especially when one of my friends are involved. Apparently it would seem that trying to have my friend's back has touched a nerve.

Someone's nerve has been touched, that's for sure.  It's interesting to me that you're so quick to jump on the "atheists are mean to Christians" bandwagon, when there has been very little of that in this thread. In fact, you are bashing people who haven't even addressed cerca's position, for asking that you not "request" people act a certain way.  That you feel the need to have your friend's "back" is condescending of you, not anyone else.

Cerca, it really is very interesting to read your views.  Can I ask why you believe them to be true?

[LastPoet]

Apparently it would seem that trying to have my friend's back has touched a nerve.

No nerves have been touched here. From all I can tell, she will do fine for our evil ritualistic human sacrifice we have in store for her

[JesusHChrist]

You can call yourself Christian just fine as far as I'm concerned. I strongly believe that if Christianity is to survive at all, it's going to have to become far more liberal and non-literal, so I see your stance as the right direction. It just so happens to be the direction I personally like too, because of the lack of fundamental ridiculousness and bigotry that goes along with it.

No one gets to say who is and isn't Christian. It's become so diverse that it means virtually anything now. You seem to be able to separate yourself from your beliefs and not take it all personally, which is something a lot of theists struggle with.

But without a fairly literal interpretation, how is there any more meaning or truth (defined as congruence with reality) than a Harry Potter novel? Without the Tall Tales of the Bible, what does a Christian of any stripe have? There are moral lessons in Oliver Twist without the need for any appeals to the supernatural realms.

It's all well and good to not be a bigoted, magical-thinking believer, but ultimately either one wants to strive toward knowing what is real or they don't. It's an epistemic problem. You either have a way of knowing or you don't.

[polar bear]

Maybe I am to new at being an atheist.  I really don't get your position.  I do like that you think the bible is not the truth, but other than that I kinda get lost.

Anyway, Welcome

Is that "OK" Judy?

[Joods]

Apparently it would seem that trying to have my friend's back has touched a nerve.

No nerves have been touched here. From all I can tell, she will do fine for our evil ritualistic human sacrifice we have in store for her

Thank you Last, for realizing that I'm not the bad guy here. I'll be waiting in the chambers for the ritual to begin.

[robvalue]

JHC: I agree, I can't understand the position. It makes no sense to me, it's stuck somewhere between reality and unreality; but it makes more sense than full on Christianity which is just crazy. But as far as anyone has the right to call themselves Christian, I see no problem here

I want to encourage people to be as liberal as possible within Christianity, whether or not they eventually go all the way to atheism. "Better" christian = worse person.