[lbo-talk] Americans and the bible

[Chris Doss]

Jeffrey, we've had the same thread 100 times before. You're not missing anything.
 
Although that inspired vs. actual distinction would go right over the average New Atheist's head.

----- Original Message ----
From: Jeffrey Fisher <jeff.jfisher at gmail.com>
To: lbo-talk at lbo-talk.org
Sent: Wed, March 24, 2010 11:53:00 PM
Subject: Re: [lbo-talk] Americans and the bible

i can't believe i've been missing the other thread altogether, and i have no
time at the moment to catch up on it in a way to be really helpful, but it
really is worth looking at all the data in this link, i think, because you
see the split between protestants and catholics on the "actual word of god"
question, and very much the same split between born-again and not-born-again
protestants. to say that the bible is the actual word of god is a vastly
different thing than to consider it "inspired," which allows much more room
for interpretation. even the term "inspired" can be construed in a variety
of ways, some more exclusivist, but most more inclusivist and pluralist, and
even with something like a modern historical orientation.