Protestant denominations who don't take the bible literally

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So you are looking for a church that does not teach the Bible?
Just curious, I happen to believe in evolution AND Genesis.

An amazing feat, I'm not sure I would brag about it though.

There's nothing amazing about it at all; it's actually quite rational. And you call this bragging?

[Anonymous]

I don't think evolution and the Bible are mutually exclusive either. I believe in them both.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just because VBS teaches the Bible stories doesn't mean the adult members of the church believe them literally. We go to a very liberal congregation of a liberal denomination (PCUSA) but Sunday school and VBS still teach the Bible stories to the little kids. They don't get into the fact that they could be metaphors, lost in translation, inspired by God but written by men, etc. I don't have a problem with that. I want my child to know the stories and believe them even if "believe" takes on some subtleties and complexities later on.

Bible stories are important literary and cultural touchstones too.

Thank you for this, I think this is the best explanation.

[Anonymous]

Just make up your own religion and believe what ever you want. That is what most religions and people do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just make up your own religion and believe what ever you want. That is what most religions and people do.

Or cherry pick from the religion you have -- like the cafeteria Catholics who disregard dogma but like the ritual, or the people who believe in heaven but not hell.

Or go from church to church until you find one that suits you, and when your interests or beliefs evolve or the people there start to bug you, go shopping for another church, just like you would go to the mall looking for the latest fashions.

[Anonymous]

Atheism

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Atheism

Then you can tell yourself you're a good person without consulting any holy books at all.

[Anonymous]

Church of Satan

[Anonymous]

United Church of Christ

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just because VBS teaches the Bible stories doesn't mean the adult members of the church believe them literally. We go to a very liberal congregation of a liberal denomination (PCUSA) but Sunday school and VBS still teach the Bible stories to the little kids. They don't get into the fact that they could be metaphors, lost in translation, inspired by God but written by men, etc. I don't have a problem with that. I want my child to know the stories and believe them even if "believe" takes on some subtleties and complexities later on.

Bible stories are important literary and cultural touchstones too.

Exactly.

[Anonymous]

Also, remember that most churches are using some sort of pre-packaged curriculum for VBS and Sunday School, so not only are they more apt to be based on the literal for children's consumption than, say, an adult discussion class, but the church you are going to probably just purchased it and doesn't necessarily control the content. My guess is VBS instructors wouldn't feel qualified to explain what is methaphorical and what should be taken literally, since that will differ for everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just make up your own religion and believe what ever you want. That is what most religions and people do.

Or cherry pick from the religion you have -- like the cafeteria Catholics who disregard dogma but like the ritual, or the people who believe in heaven but not hell.

Or go from church to church until you find one that suits you, and when your interests or beliefs evolve or the people there start to bug you, go shopping for another church, just like you would go to the mall looking for the latest fashions.

Im not a catholic - Im glad that the stream of Judaism I belong to accepts that Judaism has evolved over time, and that religion should not blind us to science, and even that lay people have a right to engage with difficult issues - though to do seriously they need to learn and engage with the traditional texts.

[Anonymous]

Well, Catholicism absolutely does not believe in a literal interpretation of the bible. It is inspired by God, not a 100% literal play-by-play rule book. This is Catholic teaching from the top down, so it doesn't matter which Catholic church you go to.

Also, it's interesting to me that people are equating symbolic interpretation of the bible with a liberal church. The two don't always goes hand in hand.

[Anonymous]

It's a standard atheist trope, to claim that religious folks should be 100% literalists or else they are shallow fashion slaves (per 8:44).

That's a false choice, as multiple PPs have explained. But our friend at 8:44 doesn't want to listen, because she'd have to stop picking fights for a moment to pay attention, and maybe even find something new to argue about. And that's work, not the childish fun she wants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Church of Satan

You're so hilarious, you're wasted here and should try stand-up.