As a Christian and a Scientist, the idea that the bible isn't a document to be taken literally like a textbook isn't exactly a new concept for me. I value the bible strongly for its historical, cultural and literary significance and I do believe that you can learn right ways of living from the stories and teachings within. However, I also acknowledge that the bible was written down, compiled, editted, translated and even interpreted by human men with their own very human experiences, views and motivations. For that matter, the majority of the Old Testament is letters from Paul to various communities of early Christians and Paul's own words and prejudices are often given the same weight as the words of Jesus. (Oh hello, Soap Box...I missed you!) Anyway...not the post of this post, though if someone wants to discuss it...I'm game!
So...I was reading one of the web comics that I follow, Least I Could Do, and at the bottom of the page was the most recent news/forum post from one of the artists about a current news event featuring a public battle between a lesbian couple and the catholic school that won't let their daughter re-enroll. Religion, Education, Sexuality, Morality and Equal Rights are all topics that interest me in discussions so I checked out the discussion thread even though I need another forum like I need a hole in my head. One of the posts (Top of Page 4) brought up an interesting concept, that even though the post was poorly written and a bit incoherent, stuck with me: The idea that the Bible has become a Golden Calf. Not necessarily as something to believe but certainly something to give a bit of thought to. Especially since the whole blind unquestioning faith thing? Not exactly my gig. I like questions like "why" and "how" and the phrase "but that doesn't make sense".
Things to think about:
- What made the Golden Calf so appealing to the people of the bible?
- Do some or all of those same conditions exist in the modern world?
- Does modern society lend itself more to a preference for instant concrete answers from the bible over delayed and uncertain gratification via prayer and conversation with God?
- Where does the trend towards legalistic Christianity come from?
- Why is it easier as Christians to focus on following (and enforcing in others) the morality of the Old Testament than it is to follow Jesus' simple command to Love?
Would love to discuss this since I'm still turning over thoughts in my head. Let me know what you think on any part of this.
* What made the Golden Calf so appealing to the people of the bible?
ReplyDeleteIt was what they were used to. That's how you "did" religion back then.
* Do some or all of those same conditions exist in the modern world?
Well, it's how millions of Christians do it today, as dictated by the Catholic church, except instead of a golden calf it's a statue of Mary.
What happened to that commandment about worshipping idols? Was it "thou shalt" or "thou shalt not", now...
But I believe it's also something in human psyche. Many of us have a deep-rooted desire to worhsip; to laud a particular entity above all others, to follow prescribed rituals.
Some do this through a religion. Some by supporting a sports team for instance. It's the same thing in us that makes us enjoy either.
(I'm not saying that Christs teachings have no more relevance than a soccer match.)
*Does modern society lend itself more to a preference for instant concrete answers from the bible over delayed and uncertain gratification via prayer and conversation with God?
Absolutely.
You get a definite answer.
In fact, you don't even need to read it - just ask your local specialist (priest/vicar/imam/rabbi/whatever) and they'll give you an answer (based on centuries of tradition and their interpretation of what they themselves were taught according to the ways of their church, and in some way related to (the church's interpretation of) the Bible, which in turn is in some way related to the original teachings of Christ (Yahweh/Mohammedd/whoever)).
* Where does the trend towards legalistic Christianity come from?
Laws, of course.
Those of the Church.
Which, of course, "are fully endorsed by God Himself, so could just as well have been decreed by Him. Trust us on this."
* Why is it easier as Christians to focus on following (and enforcing in others) the morality of the Old Testament than it is to follow Jesus' simple command to Love?
*sigh*
That very question is what set me thinking some 25 years ago, and questioning the tennets of the Church as they were taught to me.
After a HUGE amount of soul-searching, I came to the conclusion - in opposition to what people I loved and respected believed and wished me to believe - that the Bible is not a good basis for anyone wishing to follow the works of Christ. It's just too full of irrelevant, misleading guff. And as you have hinted at, it all started going off the rails with Saul of sodding Tarsus. And then got worse when Constantine meddled with it. And then... well, let's just say that over the years the church has been influenced more by greed and the desire for empire building (with a good degree of mass-manipulation, oppression and downright genocide thrown in) than it has what Christ actually tried to teach us.
That's why I'm not "A Christian", even though my outlook and moral code is more Christ-ian than many self-proclaimed Christians have demostrated theirs to be.
That last question is always the one that sticks in my craw...
ReplyDeleteMy home church has always been very focused on the community outreach, local missions, and support for global missions. So it is more Christians as a whole that I refer to. The representation that Christians get in modern culture, for the most part makes me want to beat my head against the wall. Closed minded with closed hearts.