Jim: A bit more on the Bible

The Bible & Me
The Bible is extremely important part of the Christian Faith. The Bible challenges me to behave differently then I would without it. It challenges me to be uncertain where I might find certainty.

However, Christianity would exist without the Bible. The Bible is not the Book of Mormon or the Koran. By its own terms, it is a collection of works written by a varied people for varied reasons. To be a Christian, means to follow the tradition started by the followers of Jesus the Nazarene in c. 60 A.D. It means that I acknowledge the unique role of Jesus—through His teachings and the His spirit embodied in the descendants of His early followers—in improving my life today.

The Bible and the Christian Church of the World
That’s truth. But it is in fact off topic. As you pointed out, many people would find me not to be a Christian based on these stances. And, I think it is possible that such a group would be in the majority. I want to suggest the issue is more subtle than it might seem. Consider the following from Divino Afflante Spiritu written by Pope Pius XII in the 1940’s:
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/pius_xii/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xii_enc_30091943_divino-afflante-spiritu_en.html

Inspired by the Divine Spirit, the Sacred Writers composed those books, which God, in His paternal charity towards the human race, deigned to bestow on them in order "to teach, to reprove, to correct, to instruct in justice: that the man of God may be perfect, furnished to every good work." 2 Tim. 3:16-17.

But, paragraph 20, says:

Nor should anyone think that this use of the original texts, in accordance with the methods of criticism, in any way derogates from those decrees so wisely enacted by the Council of Trent concerning the Latin Vulgate.[24] It is historically certain that the Presidents of the Council received a commission, which they duly carried out, to beg, that is, the Sovereign Pontiff in the name of the Council that he should have corrected, as far as possible, first a Latin, and then a Greek, and Hebrew edition, which eventually would be published for the benefit of the Holy Church of God.[25] If this desire could not then be fully realized owing to the difficulties of the times and other obstacles, at present it can, We earnestly hope, be more perfectly and entirely fulfilled by the united efforts of Catholic scholars.

In other words, the Catholic Church recognizes scholarly criticism of the scripture, and recognizes that there is value is finding the unadulterated meaning. Furthermore, consider the Catholic Church’s position against capital punishment. This position is in direct contradiction to the Hebrew Scripture. The vast majority of Christians on the planet believe that the Bible is a tool to be used hand in hand with Church tradition and the Pope’s inspiration to find God’s truth.

The Bible and the Church in America
I think you have a really important point here. Adherence to the Bible’s moral teachings is super important to American Christianity. So much so, that for me to have a “liberal” view on gay rights, I must be able to explain to you why I find it not only consistent with, but mandated by, the teachings of Jesus as recorded in the Bible.

So, if you say, “The Bible says X, and X is bad for the country,” I absolutely have to explain with either the Bible doesn’t say X and/or X is not bad for the country AND why it is not Christianity’s fault that people think the Bible says X.

From Gadfly, quoted again below: http://gadflyer.com/flytrap/index.php?Week=200447

On to the bible:
"Which of the following statements comes closest to describing your views about the Bible -- the Bible is the actual word of God and is to be taken literally, word for word, the Bible is the inspired word of God but not everything in it should be taken literally, or the Bible is an ancient book of fables, legends, history, and moral precepts recorded by man]?"

Word of God: 34%
Inspired word: 48%
Fables: 15%

Here’s the deal, the people who answer “Word of God,” don’t all believe that. The Bible says that polygamy is okay. It says that woman can’t talk in church. It says lots of other things, and nothing about abortion. The people who said “Word of God,” are saying “I’m a Conservative Christian.” Do they believe that there is water above the sky? No, because no one is telling them to believe that.

Now, this is really my problem (as a fellow Christian to these people) and not yours. So, like I said, I’ll have to defend things advocated in the name of the Bible, but people say stuff all the time they don’t really mean. (See e.g. 1970’s surveys about the desire for fuel efficient cars.)

Quibble about Creationism
I know this was not your source, but it sounds like the same Gallup poll.
http://gadflyer.com/flytrap/index.php?Week=200447

"Which of the following statements comes closest to your views on the origin and development of human beings -- 1) Human beings have developed over millions of years from less advanced forms of life, but God guided this process, 2) Human beings have developed over millions of years from less advanced forms of life, but God had no part in this process, 3) God created human beings pretty much in their present form at one time within the last 10,000 years or so?"

Note that the question assumes there is a God - if you are not a believer, the closest you can come to an answer that fits your beliefs is that God is up there, but he just isn't doing anything. That aside, here are the answers:
Humans developed, but God guided the process: 38%
Humans developed, God had no part: 13%
God created humans as they are 10,000 years ago: 45%


Yeah, this is scary. The thing here is that the people were told to believe it, so they did. Here’s an article that says only 51% of Americans said that aliens have never visited Earth. http://www.space.com/searchforlife/seti_shostak_believe_051103.html I’m blaming education for both. Does the Church need to take heat for this? I don’t think say. At least not for all 45%. I think but for Christianity many of the 45% would believe that elves created humans. Or that they were descended from aliens. Same article says ¼ of Americans believe in astrology.

There is plenty more to say about the Bible, but maybe we should move on to an issue and examine the Church's impact on that issue. I'll leave it up to you.