🚀 go-pugleaf

>From: andreamomof2@aol.com 

>She said things such as the Bible, especially the Old Testament, are full of
>mythology. She thinks that things like the "Burning Bush" did not really
>happen
>but were added because people need to read things like that.
>
>I do not want this to turn into religious debate...I am only looking for
>suggestions to what I could tell her, what I could share with her (besides my
>own experience). Thanks.
>
>Andrea
>
>

Andrea, my views used to be along similar lines.  I felt that if there ever WAS
a God, he'd quit caring about us a LONG time ago.  Then, over time, I accepted
that God is real, but not necessarily in the "Christian" sense.  I believe in
the Bible - but, I also believe in the teachings of other religions.  To me,
faith is faith - you either believe all of it, or none of it.  Choosing a
single religion as "my" religion seems to be really arrogant to me.  

Is your friend doubting the existence of God, or expressing doubt in organized
religion?  You know, there is a HUGE difference between the two.

Put it this way - you could take a room full of people who have gone to the
same church for decades.  All ages, all colors, all the exact same teachings
and "beliefs".  Then ask each one to draw the way he or she envisions God.  I'd
bet you $100 out of my anorexic bank account that all their pictures would be
different.  It's human nature to believe, just not necessarily to believe what
others do, or what the people around you tell you to believe.

And as for the Bible being mythology - I'm sure that some of the text in it may
be symbolic, and I DO think that certain discoveries, such as the Dead Sea
Scrolls, and the ossuary of James will give a clearer picture.

I guess, my advice would be, talk to your friend, and ask her what she DOES
believe.  Let go of the idea, even if only for a moment, that any way of
thinking of God is the RIGHT way.  By letting go of the beliefs I was raised
with, I got some perspective, and figured out some things on my own.  Give her
time, let her use you as a sounding board, and keep an open mind.

And for crying out loud, delete the damned wichtig link already!!!!!  If you
really want to p*ss off some people there, try the ignoring approach!!!