Armstrong continues, "Part of the problem is that we are now reading our scriptures instead of listening to them. When, for example, Christian fundamentalists argue about the Bible, they hurl texts back and forth competitively, citing chapter and verse in a kind of spiritual tennis match. But this detailed familiarity with the Bible was impossible before the modern invention of printing made it feasible for everybody to own a copy and before widespread literacy - an essentially modern phenomenon - enabled them to read it for themselves."
Pastor Paul, Jews typically do not view the Torah as literal. Thousands of years of the institutions of rabbinic wisdom are given equal weight to the old words. This allows the religion room.
The Catholic Church explicitly supports evolution. In our country, in all fifty states, hundreds of Christian churches celebrate Evolution Sunday, which celebrates the theory of evolution. This celebration comes out of the Clergy Letter Project, a sign of support for the theory of evolution by over 11,100 members of the clergy.
So, who then, believes in intelligent design?
To answer that question, let's admit something: you and I both know you are not just a pastor. You are also active in politics. You write a religious social conservative column for a paper in Southern California. You write columns justifying the denial of rights to homosexuals. You argue that ideas like freedom and science can only exist in Christian nations. You write columns arguing for or against various California propositions. On your church website (branchofhope.org), you write, "On the issue of homosexuality, the Bible is clear. The scriptures declare homosexuality to be the sinful and destructive behavior of an apostate people who have chosen to reject the truth of God."
Pastor Paul, I sense anger in your words. Is this brand of anger particular to literalists? In the news today, I see fundamentalist Mormons going to jail. I see guns being raised in the air to Arabic chants. And here on the West Coast, I see men waging a war against science and rationalism. Literalism is the common thread. It reduces our spirituality, heightens our fervor.
Is Christianity really at odds with evolution, Pastor? Or is it really just at odds with the politics of religious social conservatives?
Pastor Paul, I realize the truck will be coming to meet me soon. I have to walk quickly to get back to the road on time. But look at me! My shirt is drenched in sweat. My pants are black with mud. When I make it to the road, the truck has not yet arrived, so I try to wring the mud from my shirt.
When the truck arrives, the birders and naturalists from the Canopy Tower greet me. One man, Simon, has just arrived from England. He is wearing a sharp khaki shirt and traveling pants. I feel awkward covered in mud, until Simon shakes my hand and says, "We're going to the swamps. See anything good?"
facebook
twitter