No Excuses

"... people can interpret the Bible however they want, but a strict literal reading of 'God's Word' plainly advocates things like racism, lack of family values, fear, judgment, violence, misogyny... a rational, objective, compassionate person could not reasonably judge that the Bible is a good guide to morality, nor that it supports/promotes intellectual honesty and inquiry into nature."

Edit: Cody teases me about being infatuated with Sam Harris... and after re-reading the above quote, I can't say it doesn't reek a little of infatuation... though I think it's more infatuation with his ideas than with him.

I emailed the above quote to a Christian friend of mine, in an attempt to explain why I am baffled when I learn that a highly educated, logical person is a 'bible believer'. She never responded. I also mentioned this position to my Dad last night, and he didn't really know what to say. I don't understand how people can ignore this stuff.

Also I think that it's strange that critical thinkers are expected to, when picking up the Bible, have someone nearby to 'explain' the bad parts. If the Bible is the word of God, it shouldn't need explaining, we should take it as-is and not need to interpret or excuse passages.