Quote:
Originally Posted by FireFly
Does that mean they're all wrong? Is the only interpretation a literal one? Because I'm pretty sure when the Book of Revelation was written, a hundred million man army would've been inconceivable...
Unfortunately, what's clear to you and I is not the same as what's clear to others. There are stupid people in this world, Cheese, and I'm sure God knew that. Unfortunately the fundamentalists mostly don't listen to the smart people of the world. Remembering that The Book was written with linguistic limitations and that knowledge is ever changing and expanding, I don't understand why you are so intent on using only the literal interpretation of the Bible as what you rail against. Clearly the Earth is not 7000 years old. You know that and I know that. Actually, I'd suggest that it's pretty clear now. Yet for you, that's the only interpretation allowed for a Christian. Why shouldn't the interpretation change with new information? Scientists thought the earth was flat, but they're allowed to change their thinking on the matter, why should Christian beliefs remain stagnant as more information is available?
It stands for the same thing, in the end it means the same thing. The conclusion is the same, the way we get there is different. Science can be 'fit into' the Bible. To ignore that is to ignore the very real possibility that the Book is the Truth.
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No doubt there are stupid people...as mentioned above over 40% of Americans, along with a good % elsewhere. There are also stupid people, (Remember these are your words not mine
), who buy part of if not all of the doctrine you are talking about.
As to the hilited comment above...um...you know that it was the literal reading of the bible that created the flat earth myth dont you? You also know that many who disagreed with this interpretation of the bible were um...well...dispatched to hell? Up until a very short time ago anyone who stood up and suggested that what was written in the bible was wrong were considered heretics and burned at the stake? I understand "some" Christian beliefs are changing, its not possible in any way or form for an educated people to believe in "most" of the nonsense written within any theistic endeavor. That is why the only locations in the world where Christianity is actually on the rise is places like Africa and South America...and mostly among the poor and downtrodden. In most parts of Europe Christianity is near death, and I would think that its in its final throes here in Canada.
Heres a timely article from Yahoo today...
Roman Catholics appeal for foregiveness
In the 1950s, prior to the Quiet Revolution, nearly 90 per cent of Quebecers went to church every Sunday. It was one of the most staunchly Catholic regions of the world.
Today pews sit largely empty. A survey in 2000 found just 20 per cent of respondents attended church on a weekly basis.
In only 50 years or less, the RC church in QC has lost 70% of its parrish.