What makes the Christian story so special?

This has come up in a few other threads I believe, and I'd like an answer from the creationists here if possible.There are many, many religious books around the world. There are many, many creation stories around the world. If the decision is made to teach kids about creationism in school, why should they be limited to learning about one particular story just because it is the prevailing religion in their country? Why only learn the Christian one?It smacks of bias right there, preferential treatment if you will - and seems to support the idea that proponents have a religious agenda, and are not interested in "teaching the controversy".So the question really is what makes the Christian creation story so special, and why should the world's other creation stories not be taught as well?Present your arguments please.

Hello, I.R.H.! Where do YOU want your topic to go? Social Issues? Educational Issues? Is It Science? I think it fits best in Educational issues.Let me know which forum you want this in, I.R.H. Reply by March 1st.This message has been edited by AdminPhat, 02-22-2006 04:19 PM

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This message has been edited by Phat, 02-22-2006 04:17 PMThis message has been edited by Phat, 02-22-2006 04:17 PM

Sorry for the late reply, been busy over the weekend - Educational Issues is fine, thanks Phat.IRH

Thread moved here from the Proposed New Topics forum.

My guess is that Christian creationists want Christian creationism taught because they believe it to be true. They probably view their version of creationism as more than just another hare-brained origins story.

It's only important based on location. If we were in India, it would not be an issue. If we were in Cairo, it would not be an issue.

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Aslan is not a Tame Lion

If there were no fundemental differences between them then there would be no reason to prefer one over the other.I am reminded of a question posed by an attendee on an Alpha course (a beginners guide to Christianity basically) we were running once."I know there is a spiritual dimension, that there is something else other than the simply material - you don't have to convince me of that. But I'm driving around this roundabout and each exit leads up a different road: buddhism or paganism or Christianity or Hinduism or Islam. How do I know that Christianity is the right road and all the others are wrong"The answer given..."In all the worlds religions, where an afterlife of some description is offered, your position with respect to the afterlife (getting there and your state when you reach it) is acheived on the basis of what YOU do: mediate, do good, pray, reach enlightenment, give to the poor etc. Except for Christianity. With Christianity its not what you do which determines your position with respect to God - it is what GOD has done for YOU that matters.It may seem like a slight difference but it does make Christianity uniqueThis message has been edited by iano, 20-Feb-2006 12:53 PM

That's great iano, really it is.Still doesn't tell me why we should only teach the Christian creation story though. I mean, most religions have some unique attribute or concept - take reincarnation, or karma for example.What exactly does that have to do with the merits of teaching one myth over another?

I agree there are any number of aspects of different religions which will differentiate between them along the way - but this particular aspect sits at the very spearhead of the purpose of all religions - the end result and how it is obtained.Condsider all paths that might lead to the summit. This describes all religions: paths to be climbed, effort invoked, summit, if reached, will be dependant on own effort/behaviour. Reincarnation and karma are mechanisms towards reaching the summit and as such there is nothing really unique about them - they are all self-influenced mechanisms for getting to the summit. Different shades of the same thingWith Christianity God is the one who picks the person and places them on the summit without them having to make any effort at all. In this case God does the work not man. The summit is impossible to reaach for man through effortNot that this is a case for teaching Christianity at all. But either one teaches that which is unique or one teaches anything your having yourself. There would be millions of those and it would be impractical to teach them all.

....and again, that's all fine and dandy and whatever.But what does that have to do with its merits as a creation myth? I'm not seeing an argument there that the Christian story is the right one and the others are not and why.That's a nice bit about Christianity (as I'm sure you think your religion is unique and different, and you want to present it as such), but this isn't about Christianity per se - this is about the creation myth it offers as truth.Why that one, other than the fact that it happens to be the one you believe in?

Actually (as I'm sure you know really ) he has kind of given you the reason why Christians of the literalist variety think their creation myth is the one that should be taught.They believe that theirs is the one true religion and so obviously their version of creation must be true.I've just realised I'm guilty of claiming to be able to read the minds of the literalists - so prefix the preceding paragraphs with a big "My opinion based on what I've Biblical literalists say on boards like EvC" or somesuch.

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I wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then

MangyTiger has gotten a useful angle on it. Show one aspect that is majorly (as opposed to minor-ly - as in reincarnation/karma) unique about Christianity and the rest Falls (oops)into place.My point stands that this is not a reason to teach Christianity (Creation) at all, but maybe why teach it alone.{AbE} Although to be fair one should perhaps teach any other world Religion (take your pick from the myriad) and say "Christianity is unique and all the others are variations on this (insert x) theme.Theres no harm in a bit of dreaming Thanks MTThis message has been edited by iano, 21-Feb-2006 01:28 AM

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"In all the worlds religions, where an afterlife of some description is offered, your position with respect to the afterlife (getting there and your state when you reach it) is acheived on the basis of what YOU do: mediate, do good, pray, reach enlightenment, give to the poor etc. Except for Christianity. With Christianity its not what you do which determines your position with respect to God - it is what GOD has done for YOU that matters.

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sorry to burst the bubble iano, but Jesus says it's what YOU do that matters ( Matt 22:36-40, Luke 10:25-37,Matt. 25:31-45 ).Maybe your Alpha course teacher needs to read the gospels a bit before making sweeping statements like that.Despite your wishful thinking, Christianity is no more unique in its approach than any other religion.

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"In life, you have to face that some days you'll be the pigeon and some days you'll be the statue."

There is no doubt that a central disagreement exists within Christianity as to whether salvation is faith alone or whether salvation is a producte of faith and works. The former is as established a view as the latter.My position if any should be taught it should be the former because it is unique amongst other world religons in that most central and important areas. How to get to the desired terminus. By all means teach one of the rest in order to provide a balance...but given that all the rest are 'by works' of some description, it doesn't matter much which one you chose. They only vary on detail - that salvation/enlightenment etc is in your own hands, underscores them all.

Isn't faith already something that you do?