Re: Once you know it's false

Hi Jim,

I am a Christian, but I do not believe the Adam and Eve
story is true literal history, and I do not believe that Adam
and Eve were literal historical figures like Jesus. The
importance of the story is theological, as it expresses
when man first reached the level of self-awareness to have
free will. Free will also includes the capability to sin,
which animals cannot do, at least not in the way we can.
The story of eating the forbidden fruit is symbolic of man
willfully disobeying God by using the free will God has
given him against God to sin.

The creation story in Genesis is an ancient Hebrew
story (you can call it a myth if you like) with deep
theological meanings. My understanding is that it was
written in a poetic style in the original Hebrew, which
unfortunately I do not know. However, Adam, which means
man, not just a specific man in Hebrew, rhymes with
Adamah, which means dirt in Hebrew, so you can see
the rhyme in that.

The ancient Hebrew creation story is one of many
thousands around the world, why should it be
scientifically true whilst the others are not. If equal
time is given for so called creation science along with
regular science in the classroom, then which creation
story do you pick, particularly if you have people of
several faiths in your class. The importance of Genesis
is the theology, not the science.

Unfortunately, many evangelical Christians insist that
you have to accept Genesis literally in order to be a
"good" Christian, if a Christian at all. Unfortunately,
many evangelical Christians also use the Adam and
Eve story to support their argument against gay
marriage. I support them in opposing gay marriage,
but not in using Adam and Eve as an argument as
literal people, simply because the people involved in
homosexual activities are either not Christians, or
very liberal Christians who do not believe in Adam and
Eve, either literally or symbolically, therefore the
argument falls on deaf ears, indeed it may be
counterproductive. Christians who use the Adam and
Eve story are just preaching to the choir.

On a more broader note, Christians by insisting that
Genesis has to be taken as literally and scientifically
correct, just drive away people from Christianity who
have some education and science and capable of
critical thought.

You may like to take a look at my website
http://csharp.com and follow the creationism link. A
broadband connection is strongly recommended.

Christopher Sharp

In a message dated 11/6/04 8:51:52 AM Pacific Standard Time,
jeisele@starpower.net writes:

> It has been a while since I have written this list. I remain an atheist,
> more strongly than before.
>
> If people have an emotional need to be Christian I am willing to leave
> them alone.
>
> I continue to wonder if and when this list will become closed to
> non-Christians.
>
> That being said, is it possible to remain an evangelical once you have
> been confronted with the other side of the story?
>
> One need look no further than the mythology of Adam and Eve. Believable
> until you hear the other side of the story.
>
> My current perception of evangelicals is that they are ignorant, and
> sometimes (hate to say it) intolerant.
>
> It has amazed me, in my time on the internet, to see just how easy
> it is to debunk the Adam and Eve story. Across the board, the standard
> Christian response is to retreat into silence. Christian ideas shrink
> from enlightened competition.
>
> Unfortunately, evangelicals tip the balance of political power.
>
> Does anyone on this list still believe Adam and Eve were real people?
> Are you willing to discuss this?
>
> Jim
Received on Sat Nov 6 23:01:32 2004