What's your opinion on Liberal Religion?

[zwanzig]

 I guess it comes down to the extent such people try to interfere in the lives of others.

Our Present PM is a happy clapper and a bit of a dolt. A few years ago we had a chronic catholic. He resisted some changes because of his religious beliefs. Same sex marriage for one.

I have not seen any evidence which supports the idea that say atheist secular humanists are morally superior to 'average' believers.

bolding mine. Just quoting you to highlight that part.

That's where I land on it too, in the realm of whether or not I feel like I need to step in and challenge a set of beliefs it's determined by how much they're trying to affect the lives of others. On an individual level, it's fine, we can be human together and find common ground, probably easier than I could with fundies.

Personally? Like, in my own thoughts, I have a dislike of beliefs in things that can't be proven or are demonstrably false. I think it's inherently toxic to think like that and I have a distrust of it. Like, yeah, today, the liberal theist is making an exception in god's law for gay people and they have a lesbian minister. But they still believe in an imaginary thing, they're still allowing this vulnerable mindset in their lives where their standard of proof and truth is lowered. So, who knows what will happen to that exception tomorrow if imagination and emotion get a kick in the pants and "god" changes his mind.

[Foxaèr]

Faith is irrational, whether its liberally or conservatively based.

[brewer]

I guess I'm not sure what a liberal theist is. And not sure what liberal religion is.

I know quite/polite theists that will keep their religion/judgements to themselves. I know affable theists that I'm able to hang out with and talk/joke about religion. I'm married to a cafeteria catholic theist, she picks and chooses which tenets she follows.

Maybe you can enlighten me some more (more than wiki), that just sounds like a deist to me. I don't personally know any deists IRL, they all come with one or more 'established' specific religious beliefs that they adhere to, primarily the golden ticket.

Would Ahriman be considered a liberal theist? No offense Ahri. Is there really such a thing as 'liberal religion'? If there is, what's the point, sounds like it reverts to deism.

[no one]

If you don't bother me, I don't give a shit what you believe.

[The Architect Of Fate]

Most of us here have serious issues with conservative theists and fundies. I know I do.

But what about the more rational and/or liberal theists? What's your opinion of their beliefs? I'm personally thinking of Quakers, Biologos Christians, and (in particular) a Jewish pantheist I've been following on YouTube. Not familiar with liberal Muslims (unless you count Rumi) but I'm sure they're out there.

I personally don't mind liberal theists so much... though I may disagree on finer points. The evangelicals and fundies I tend to think are dangerous... willing (and sometimes able) to use their beliefs to enact evil. Liberal theists not so much.

I know liberal theist is a vague term. Sorry about that. But I'd still like to hear people's opinions on the subject.

On one hand, I prefer them to fundamentalists on the other I think their consistent unwillingness to confront fundamentalism only strengthens it.

[HappySkeptic]

On one hand, I prefer them to fundamentalists on the other I think their consistent unwillingness to confront fundamentalism only strengthens it.

Liberal theists have a problem -- they can't confront fundamentalism, because they don't have a theological leg to stand on. 

Fundamentalism may be hypocritical as generally practiced, but there are people who literally believe the entire bible story.  At least they are being honest that they are swallowing the whole shit.  Liberals choose not to believe most of it, yet still somehow believe in God-sperm knocking up Mary, and the power of blood sacrifice to get them all into a heaven that was never mentioned in the Old Testament.

[Ferrocyanide]

Most of us here have serious issues with conservative theists and fundies. I know I do.

But what about the more rational and/or liberal theists? What's your opinion of their beliefs? I'm personally thinking of Quakers, Biologos Christians, and (in particular) a Jewish pantheist I've been following on YouTube. Not familiar with liberal Muslims (unless you count Rumi) but I'm sure they're out there.

I personally don't mind liberal theists so much... though I may disagree on finer points. The evangelicals and fundies I tend to think are dangerous... willing (and sometimes able) to use their beliefs to enact evil. Liberal theists not so much.

I know liberal theist is a vague term. Sorry about that. But I'd still like to hear people's opinions on the subject.

Whatever they are, fundamentalist or not, YEC or OEC, I like talking to them to see how they understand the Bible, what their opinion is on some subjects, what their morals are, and so forth.

Yes, the liberal types tend to be more rational and tend to respect other cultures, other religions, LGBT and abortions, euthanasia, stem cell research.
That’s good. I can get along with them easily.

OEC seem to be rare. I remember speaking to one of them and I said to him “Fine, let’s say the Genesis story is an allegory or myth which basically means it did not happen. At what point in the Bible, does it change from fake story to real story. Which line?”
He did not answer.

I asked the same question here. I think his name was belacqua and his response was “In order to figure out which line switches from fake mode to real mode, you have to read the Bible.”

I think he did not understand my question or understood the question but decided to not answer it.

Example:
I went to the hardware store one day.
I asked “How can I paint my room?”

The employee answered:
“You paint your room by painting your room.”

^^^^^This is an example of someone who didn’t understand the question or chose not to answer it.

[Belacqua]

I think his name was belacqua and his response was “In order to figure out which line switches from fake mode to real mode, you have to read the Bible.”

Generally it's considered inappropriate to put an inaccurate paraphrase inside quotation marks.

[Paleophyte]

Most of us here have serious issues with conservative theists and fundies. I know I do.

I read this as, "Most of us here have serious issues with conservatives, theists, and furries. I know I do."

I grew up in a very liberal Christian church (United Church of Canada). I'd likely still be there if any iota of faith had stuck. With a few exceptions they were wonderful people. I sang in the choir and went to church camp, which was more about camping than church. I continued in the church youth group long after I left the church.

My mother and sister are both liberal Christians. My brother and sister-in-law are very liberal/cultural Muslim. It's hard to explain how liberal other than saying that I wouldn't want to try and out drink her.

[arewethereyet]

I think his name was belacqua and his response was “In order to figure out which line switches from fake mode to real mode, you have to read the Bible.”

Generally it's considered inappropriate to put an inaccurate paraphrase inside quotation marks.

It's actually against the rules...not just inappropriate per rule 18.