|
|
Post by Tigress on Aug 21, 2004 2:13:56 GMT -5
Why Liberals Should Read the Bible(John Buehrens) Click me.
|
|
|
|
Post by TheOtherPaul on Feb 12, 2005 10:35:15 GMT -5
He addresses a very critical issue.
I'm reminded of a parody hymn that a friend of mine once penned. It's to be sung to the tune of "Onward Christian Soldiers," which has another, more liberal, set of words: "Forward through the Ages." His parody goes this way: "Forward through the pages/ Never read a line./ Honor all the scriptures,/ Think them all just fine./ Books of differing sizes/ Spread across our shelves;/ We will never read them;/ We think for ourselves!"-John Buehrens
How sadly true that song is.
READ YOUR BIBLE!
|
|
|
|
Post by dianaholberg on Feb 12, 2005 11:31:27 GMT -5
Good article, Tiger... thanks  |
|
jedivelariuskenobi
Guide
All life is one energy, therefore, there is no i only we, and compassion then must follow
Posts: 252
|
Post by jedivelariuskenobi on Mar 1, 2006 9:50:15 GMT -5
Hmm... that was actually quite interesting, and true. As a liberal, i definalty think we should read and interpret the Bible so that we can refute the fundamentalists when they come at us with completely off base bible claims.
|
|
|
|
Post by dianaholberg on Mar 1, 2006 9:53:37 GMT -5
Do you have an example, or are you just generalizing?  ;D |
|
jedivelariuskenobi
Guide
All life is one energy, therefore, there is no i only we, and compassion then must follow
Posts: 252
|
Post by jedivelariuskenobi on Mar 1, 2006 10:05:01 GMT -5
;D cute, very cute
Actually, there are plenty examples of crazy fundamentalist Bible claims. Fundamentalists use the Bible for all kinds of things it wasn't made for, like telling people which candidates to vote for, discriminating against people.
But even forgetting about stuff like that, lets go with something almost indisputably obvious. Pat Robertson has said that Katrina was cuased by an angry vengeful God, as well as Sharon's condition, among other things, claims he backs up with the more vengeful passages in our wonderful text.
|
|
|
|
Post by dianaholberg on Mar 1, 2006 10:30:26 GMT -5
In general, I agree with you... and as a recovering fundamentalist myself, I am acutely aware of what you're saying.
However, if you listen to Catholic radio or television, you will hear about the events of the world being related to our sins as well. You won't often hear it in terms of God's vengeance, however -- just in terms of the consequences of sin.
I'm also wondering, when you are using the word "liberal" are you meaning theologically, politically, socially? All of the above?
I consider myself relatively central (and independent) politically and socially, but rather conservative (and wholly dependent) theologically.
|
|
jedivelariuskenobi
Guide
All life is one energy, therefore, there is no i only we, and compassion then must follow
Posts: 252
|
Post by jedivelariuskenobi on Mar 1, 2006 11:17:44 GMT -5
Im not sure that the events of the world are that related to sin, but depending on how related we are talking im open to suggestion.
As far as my liberality goes, i am politically liberal in pretty much all issues except for abortion.
As far as theologicaly im not exaclty sure how that works but since im a Catholic Pluralist (i don't beleive that any religion has a monopology on religious truth, rather than all have a piece of God's divine wisdom.) i guess that would make me liberal there as well.
Socially? im not sure what you mean. If you mean like social life, i guess im relatively conservative considering i'm not into like drunken debauchery and orgies and stuff like alot of people here at college are.
i hope that clarifies my position.
peace and namaste,
Jedi Velarius Kenobi
|
|
|
|
Post by teancum79 on Mar 1, 2006 12:41:47 GMT -5
I find that how Liberal or Conservative I am all depending on who I am talking to and what the subject is.
Issues like guns and sex I put most Neo-Conservatives to shame. And then there are issues like economics and the environment where I am closer to the middle.
I do agree that people should read the Bible even if just to understand that there is a source from which people get ideas other than current political fads.
|
|
|
|
Post by Tara on Mar 12, 2006 22:19:03 GMT -5
But what about other books such as the Qur'an or the Bagavadh Gita? Should liberals read those too?
|
|
|
|
Post by dianaholberg on Mar 13, 2006 10:09:08 GMT -5
I think everyone should at least give them a look-see.
|
|
doug
Student
Posts: 8
|
Post by doug on Feb 10, 2009 14:01:44 GMT -5
This is quite an old thread. I don't know how I missed it the last time I visited these boards! Anyway, what a fascinating read. A very thought provoking piece this and one worthy of a little effort on my part to read the Bible again. I find it difficult because, exactly like the article says, I just see the views of conservatives screaming out of the pages with every drop of blood shed (and there is quite a lot of it we must agree) and I can't stomach it.
However, the author is correct in his assertion that even from a literary/artistic point of view a knowledge of the Bible is a great foundation. It truly does have some great imagery and the stories and legends themselves make a great read. I only have problems with them because they're supposed to be true and this level of violence inflicted by a God of "love" is very disheartening.
Anyway, hello to anyone who remembers me. And hello to those who don't!
|
|
|
|
Post by dianaholberg on Feb 10, 2009 19:13:31 GMT -5
Hi Doug... welcome back!
|
|
;D
