Conflicting views?

Question

Is it possible to be a Christian and still believe in evolution, support gay marriage and a woman's right to choose?

I grew up as a Christian, but I have denounced my faith for many reasons. The principles of Christianity were ingrained in me, and I still have a strong sense of God. However, I cannot logically believe in creationism. I was a Microbiology & Cell Structure major in college, and there's just too much evidence against creationism in my eyes.

Also, I strongly believe no woman should be forced to go through with a pregnancy she doesn't truly want to have, regardless of the circumstances.

I'm very conflicted because I do want that closeness with God, but I firmly believe in the above stated things.

Are they any people who share my situation? (Please no links to Christian web sites supporting creationism/pro-life.)

Answer 1

Sure, just not the God of the Bible.

In Luke 6:44 Jesus said, "Why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?'"

In John 12:48 He said, "He who rejects Me, and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day."

And in John 14:23 He said, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him, and make Our abode with him."

And by the way, you were taught the atheist's version and spin on microbiology; true microbiology fits just fine within a Biblical worldview. I'd give you some great links to show you, but you don't want them.

Answer 2

There is a difference between being a Christian (which I think you already are--at least you already have a relationship with G-d) and being a member of a particular denomination. I am a Christian and find no conflict between faith and modern science. One of the leading theologians of the Anglican Church, John Polkinghorne, is not only a priest but has a Ph.D. from Cambridge in quantum physics and is a Fellow of the Royal Society, the most prestigious scientific organization in England.

The idea that scientific reason and religious faith are mutually exclusive is a thesis too often advanced by people (on both sides of the debate) who are afraid of one or the other. The 2 modes of thought ask different questions, have different criteria for their truth claims, and use very different methodologies. They both look at and talk about the same mind-independent reality but do so in different ways.

You're already a Christian--and, I'd be willing to bet a good one--you just need to find a church that doesn't reject everything we've learned about the natural world over the last 150 years.

Grace be unto and peace.

Answer 3

The truth is people claim to be this or that religion all the time , yet don't follow it's rules . A study of US Catholic showed they had abortions at a slightly higher rate than the general population . Only one Catholic in 5 could either explain or say they believed in the basic Catholic tenet of Trans-substantiation . The Muslim Man who helped defend the Jews on the NYC subway car ( Good for him !) was clearly going agaist the teaching of the Qu'ran and Haddiths .
You are a woman using her mind to think ! Great ! But now you must define "God" . And reseach if there is enough reason to believe in this "God" .
It IS nice to have a closeness with a dependable (albeit imaginary ) friend / protector when we feel the need . That's why it's even better to adopt a dog or cat .

Zahid ... Just another stupid cut and paste preach job from an obedient Muslim . Can't you guys THINK for YOURSELVES ????
hghostin..DITTO !

Answer 4

I called my mentor at school and informed him that I had given up a scholarship given me by a national church.

My mentor was on load to my university, graduate school from a seminary which is the closest thing in the USA to a graduate school for religion which might be compared to MIT or Cal Tech.

No religious school, anywhere could actually compare to those two schools but, for religion, Union is about as close as a religious school is ever going to get.

This guy was an established author and advanced professor; why he was at me school is a puzzle except the graduate schoo of religion was pretty good.

I informed him that since religion was a secondary discipline for me, psychology being my major subject, I could no longer take money associated with anything religious.

I had become an agnostic and felt it honest to disassociate myself from any benefit from religion, however benign.

I didn't admit I was an atheist until I read Isaac Asimov's statement about how he used to answer the constant question..."Well do you believe in God?"

Isaac said, "one day I decided that there was a one-word difference between an agnostic and an atheist, which word is:
honesty!"

My mentor told me that I should continue my original plan to be a Pastoral Psychologist because christianity needed thinkers and if I accepted the basic philosophy assigned to the character Jesus, (love your neighbor and if you can, your god) then I should offer my talents ( whatever they might be = my comment ) to some church somewhere.

So, he was obviously not hung up on quoting scripture written by god knows who, his position was philosophical and practical.

I elected to distance myself and eventually admitted my true feelings. Additionally I can find no reason whatever to buy into the stone-age idea of some deity floating about somewhere out of earth’s atmosphere.

You sound like a really nice person who thinks for herself. Value this habit and indulge in it often.

Answer 5

I don't see why not. You can have this "bond" with whatever god you wish, and it doesn't necessarily have to be the traditional Abrahamaic god of the Christian bible. Believing in these things, equal rights, doesn't make you less of a Christian. I'm agnostic myself, but I used to be Christian, and I think that as long as you live a good life and are decent to the people around you, you can call yourself a Christian. Just because you don't follow word-for-word the scriptures in a book that is several millenia old doesn't make you any less worthy of having the right to believe in whatever god you want. The word Christian means "christ-like," and supposedly Jesus loved and forgave everybody.

Answer 6

Have you thought about studying religions and finding one that suits you? I agree with you on all the things you mention. But, I was years before all of this became mainstream. I left Christianity because I could not believe that G-d would come to earth in human form. G-d is One. Anyway-I am very happy with the religion I chose. You might try it. (And, I would never tell someone what religion they should choose----that is a personal choice).

Answer 7

When I first became a Christian, there were many things I "believed" at that time I would never firmly agree with. The thing is, as I draw nearer to Jesus, I find that I start to think more and more like him. And it isn't just believing because i'm told we're "supposed" to think that way either. God will reveal things to you on your own time when your heart is ready to hear them.

Answer 8

I know what you're talking about. All I can tell you is that I'm Catholic and there are many, many things I don't agree with about the Catholic Religion so I choose not to practice them. To me your belief and faith is a personal thing. I really believe that God doesn't care which religion you follow or if you even follow one. He wants us to believe in Him, and I do, and that's all I really need. I've said it before; all the beliefs that religions teach are man made. God did not say if you're gay you're going to hell, the people who wrote the bible said that. Jesus taught us to simply love each other and not to judge and with that I rest my case!

Answer 9

like you, i too was brought up in a christian familyand like you, at about the age of 14 i could no longer believe in the fairy-tales. the flat earth, stars hang from golden chains attached to the bottom of heaven, the tower of babel, noahs ark are all bedtime stories for children that were put in the torah, the christians copied them and put them in the bible , mohammad then made them prophets. so rest easy and live by the golden rule.

Answer 10

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