Jon writes:
- The methodologies used to 'spread the word (Word?)'.
- The activities (public and private) of the people 'spreading the word (Word?)'.
- The message itself, i.e., 'the word (Word?)'.
- News and other media coverage of Creationism-related events.
For each point, I'd like to focus on the following aspects:
- What effect does this problem have on Creationism's view by the public; for example, does it turn people away, draw more in, not get any attention?
- Why does it have that effect? Is it seen as trustworthy, dishonest, etc.?
- And, also, perhaps we can get some examples of the problematic points (1-4) relating to the Creationist public image.
Christianity and Biblical Creationism need a divorce!
Personally, I am a Christian who believes that God is knowable and is ultimately the Creator (originator) of all that is. That having been said, I have no problems with the scientific and common sense teachings of Biological Evolution, Archeology, History, and *ahem*
Linguistics!
In my belief, God foreknew the unfolding of every inanimate process as well as every biological, cosmological, and human evolutionary process that ever occurred and that is even now still occurring. (The foreknowledge argument is not part of this topic necessarily, but is an ongoing discussion!
)
My critics will disagree with me for advocating certain Biblical teaching. In that regard, I will assert that Psychology has a long ways to go as to being the pre-eminant method of child-rearing.
This type of teaching is controversial and will undoubtedly draw criticism from many, but I see no problem with utilizing some of the precepts contained within.
The public image of televised and radio broadcasted Christianity is tarnished beyond all useful recognition. That being said, I don't believe that it is
all worthless. (My critics assert that it is 99.9999999999999 % worthless, but they also tend to frame their belief concept into that which is verifiable through logic, reason, and reality.) In contrast, I believe that faith is, occasionally,
not logical based on human nature and the carnal tendencies of the average person.
Biblical Literalism is, in my opinion, a stumbling block that keeps many Christians objects of ridicule and out of touch with reality. To teach any child that the Flood literally happened or that the Earth was created in 7 days is damaging to them, in my opinion.