...which is exactly why you should question the church at every opportunity.

..and pp...

i dodged nothing. I both answered your question AND pointed out how idiotic it is.

Should we do an in depth examination of what science has taught us that is correct and what the church has taught us that is correct? Such a comparison could be pretty embarassing for the church.

I studied the bible quite intensely for about fifteen years. I find it hilarious that on the one hand we are supposed to interpret the bible literally , the 'the bible says so' stance as it were. On the other hand we are supposed to interpret the bible liberally, the 'jonah was an allegory' stance.

Perhaps they shoud print the parts that should be interpreted literally in green and the allegorical parts in red just so the average bible reader knows what they are supposed to believe when......

My favorite thing about having this conversation with 'true believers' is that if you question those interpretations, whichever they are, they invariably come back with 'you just don't understand the bible.' No matter how sound your logic, no matter how sound your line of reasoning. No matter how utterly hypocritical you make them look. No matter how grounded in biblical knowledge, much like the conversation where I pointed that the bible says 'kill homos' and all the religious whackos dodged the subject so as not to appear as extreme as they really are.

Clinging too tightly to religious beliefs without question is a sign of weakness. Not questioning authority is a sign of weakness. Not standing up for what you believe is right is a sign of weakness.

The church is as full of weak minded hypocrites as secular society....IMO, even more so, that's what leads people to the church in the first place.

Again especially for you Rory and pp...

...the methodists recently voted to allow gay pastors within their ranks. Can dubya continue to be anti-gay and remain in good standing with HIS church?

I'll bet your brain is hurting over that one....let me answer for you....

Yes, for the very same reasons that Kerry can remain in good standing with his in spite of his differing beliefs.

Total non-issue and quite nearly the most ludicrous question rory has posted to date. Stay tuined though, I'm sure he'll outdo himself before too long..........