I had feared that Karen had misrepresented what I said, then I realized that she encapsulated it nicely when she used the formula "asserting that rightness overrides all earthly considerations....will teach intolerance". One may regard oneself as having the Truth, and nevertheless concede that the Truth is not easy or obvious, and therefore accept divergences of opinion. Even when one thinks that there is something wrong with the other person, the need for civil peace or patriotic unity or some other immediate consideration can ameliorate discord. Thus, even if one is believes that salvation is exclusive to those with the correct belief, one need not belabor it in inappropriate ways (no criticism of you, although Chris land has never learned discretion).
As for liberal denominations, well, I am a religious liberal, although I agree that some liberalism is not robust enough. I think that considering the Bible a record of human reflection about, and even dealings with, God, but told from the human side, rather than dictated inerrantly, is a reasonable position. From that standpoint, it may have something to teach, but not necessarily oracular authority. Since we have discussed this before, I won't belabor the whole thing, I just want to point out that people with my point of view are loathe to see what one may call "the Pharasaism of belief", where unless you get doctrine just right, you are doomed....... |
