Do religious moderates compartmentalize their lives?

Question

For example, how do christians who believe in evolution continue to be christian. If the bible is allegorical, why live the lifestyle? Or are parts of it true and parts allegorical? If so, how can you explain this? Doesn't rejecting the claims of genesis invalidate the rest of the text? If it's allegorical, then why not come up with rational reasons to behave civilly (there are many)?

Mr. Ed,
We have a lot of books of poetry. What makes the bible deserve special status if it's a work of fiction? It sounds like you think it is poetry describing real events and real phenomena. That seems like a stretch. Why would god be so cryptic about something so important?

Answer 1

That kind of fence-sitting is intellectually irresponsible, and it betrays both rationality and faith. Sometimes, you have to make a choice, particularly in academic matters, and you can't have it both ways, unless, as you've said, you compartmentalize to such a degree that an observer can only conclude that you are lying about supporting one of the theories you claim to support.

Answer 2

Not compartmentalize, layer and interpret. I don't read anything in the Bible literally. I look for the truth underlying Biblical passages, and it's seldom the quirky, contradictory tales that some readers confuse with history. There are a lot of good but counter-intuitive ideas in the Bible (love of neighbor, forgiveness, humble service, social justice over worship, etc.), and too many Christians literalize like crazy to avoid contemplating them.

I don't get my science from scripture and I don't get my moral compass from a science textbook. It's not their job. That's not compartmentalization, it's organization and perspective. I can be moral and rational at the same time.

Answer 3

Personally, I do not believe in evolution.
However, to believe that a part of the Bible is allegorical does not obligate you to dibelieve the whole Bible. One has to study each book according to its own conditions. For example, when you read Psalms, you don't expect to find a list of facts, nor a chronology. You expect to find poetry, and prayers, and that's what you get. For example, when David expresses to God that he would like to see his enemies destroyed, he is expressing his anger. The Holy Spirit is not teaching us that we should want to see our enemies destroyed, but He is giving us an example: if we feel that kind of anger, the best thing is to express it to God, so that He can deal with it.
In the same way, if you read the book of Job, you find a book of poetry. I would find it hard to believe that a conversation consisted of such long discourses, in poetic language (as it is in Hebrew). But it is poetic language used to describe the experience of Job. In the book of Revelation, we are not expected to believe that Jesus is holding seven stars in His hand (he has better things to do). In fact, we are told in the same passage that the seven stars signify seven messengers to the churches. Neither are we expected to believe that some kind of monster with horns will come out of the sea to dominate the world. The sea means the non-Jewish nations, the horns mean ruling, etc.
So if somebody believes that the first chapters of Genesis are not to be taken literally, but that they are poetic (not exactly allegory, that is something else), I would differ from him for theological reasons, but I wouldn't accuse him of disbelieving the Bible, or even of picking and choosing what he believes.

Answer 4

Yes, Christians can believe in evolution and still follow Christianity. They aren't "fundamentalist" Christians, who take everything the Bible says literally, but they can still lead a Christian lifestyle, go to church, etc.

They simply alter their beliefs to "God *meant* for evolution to happen", or whatever.

My bio teacher, a Christian who read inspirational stories at the start of class every day, even told us: It's silly to believe that evolution hasn't happened and never will--because it's going on as we speak.

All it takes is a mutation within a species to make evolution happen.

Answer 5

The Bible uses parables and symbolism to teach most of its lessons. Jesus taught the same way during His life. The Bible does not address the specifics of the Creation, only that it occurred and God was responsible for it. It doesn't say anything for or against evolution.

Answer 6

If someone believes in evolution they are not Christians.
The bible is mostly literal where it could be possible for God to accomplish.
Where you wouldn't take it litterally is when Jesus says, "I am the door by which to enter Heaven." Obviously Jesus isn't a door so you have to think logically and figure out what He must have meant there.

Answer 7

i've got study "the top of religion", and that i think of that Harris has a element. religious moderates are only as undesirable as religious extremists, only in a diverse way. perception informs action, and only because of the fact somebody's ideals do no longer cause them to fly planes into homes does no longer advise that their ideals are probability unfastened. Moderates are risky because of the fact they are continually harping on approximately "tolerance". Tolerance, tolerance, tolerance. In different words, we are to tolerate religious faith, and the strikes it informs. i do no longer think of that some issues could be tolerated. I consider Harris - you do no longer see moderates condemning followers, you notice them the two leaping for excitement and cheering in the streets while 2 homes crumple, as became into the case everywhere in the middle east on 9/11 (and then later condemning those self same acts), or you notice them claiming that the enthusiast is "no longer a real Christian", as is amazingly usually the case interior of u.s.. In the two case, that's appropriate to look, to no longer their words, yet to their strikes (or lack thereof). there is not any maximum appropriate *degree* of religious faith - that is religious faith itself that's the subject. If one individual can look me in the face and have self assurance, top right down to the very depths of their psyche, that they are going to Heaven while they die and that i visit go through eternal torment in Hell, that's a topic. that announces lots with reference to the guy who's finding at me, and that i do unlike something that it says. that's the inherent divisiveness of religious faith, that dehumanizing factor, that makes it so objectionable in my opinion, yet I could element out that this opinion isn't a results of my atheism. Atheism does no longer advise that. that's a results of my being anti-religious. which ability now, we've people who declare that atheism is average and anti-faith is fanatical, that's a ludicrous assessment yet yet another unlucky results of that tendency to label each little thing.

Answer 8

some people believe in god and evelution because they ask the question how did the big bang all start and how did it worl out this way?
divine intervention is the only answer they can come up with so the dive into the easiest faith to be part of.
but the funny part is the don't answer there question with this answer
and i quote myself "because that is the only way it can work out"

Answer 9

Since we know that God doesn't exist, the lifestyle is the reason to live the lifestyle.

Answer 10

cant compartmentalize my faith... it is an all or nothing venture... the whole Word is valid to me, not parts and bits that i 'like', discarding what i don't. it is all or nothing... I choose to go with Jesus ...