I was just reading another article that pointed to the communal utility of the church.
Because I'm Christian, there's another utility to religion for me, which is the strength I get from believing that I have access to the support, resources, and peace of someone who has more of those things than I do.
Love the article, I'd like to address your 3 pillars because I've been thinking about this topic a lot.
- It’s direct condemnation of gay people.
Christianity is a direct condemnation of all sinners. "But the Bible says that gays are sinners because of something they cant control!" Yes, exactly.
- It’s narrative to present story as fact.
I don't understand the thought process behind "the Bible is the literal truth". Jesus spoke in parables, are those lies? The old testament has dreams and symbols that must be interpreted. Expecting the Bible to be literal instruction book is too much. God gave us brains and expects us to use them
- Creationism conflicting with science
Disagree with this one. It's actually astounding to me that creation in Genesis 1 tracks roughly with our understanding of the history of the universe. First came light (energy), then the the water, air, and land, then plants, then animals and lastly man. No other creation myth comes close. I'm not saying that the Big bang and evolution over millions of years is the mechanism of God's creation, but I don't think it directly contradicts the Bible.
I was just reading another article that pointed to the communal utility of the church.
Because I'm Christian, there's another utility to religion for me, which is the strength I get from believing that I have access to the support, resources, and peace of someone who has more of those things than I do.
Overall, I enjoyed reading your essay.
Thanks Kehinde!
Love the article, I'd like to address your 3 pillars because I've been thinking about this topic a lot.
- It’s direct condemnation of gay people.
Christianity is a direct condemnation of all sinners. "But the Bible says that gays are sinners because of something they cant control!" Yes, exactly.
- It’s narrative to present story as fact.
I don't understand the thought process behind "the Bible is the literal truth". Jesus spoke in parables, are those lies? The old testament has dreams and symbols that must be interpreted. Expecting the Bible to be literal instruction book is too much. God gave us brains and expects us to use them
- Creationism conflicting with science
Disagree with this one. It's actually astounding to me that creation in Genesis 1 tracks roughly with our understanding of the history of the universe. First came light (energy), then the the water, air, and land, then plants, then animals and lastly man. No other creation myth comes close. I'm not saying that the Big bang and evolution over millions of years is the mechanism of God's creation, but I don't think it directly contradicts the Bible.
Thanks for the thoughtful insights Keith.