"Beyond Literal Thinking in Religion" - David Tacey (Main Forum)

by PaulJ, Canada, Sunday, June 17, 2012, 04:42 (337 days ago) @ Helen

Hmm, where does one begin!

This is my first posting as I am a 'newbie' to this great Catholica community. I have just moved into a new diocese in B.C., Canada and am finding them 20 years behind the last one where, thank goodness, there was a progressive bishop. I am, just now, clinging on with bleeding fingernails to Catholicism; although not sure why exactly.

First. Thank all of you for your insight, wisdom, energy, strength and doubt! It becomes abundantly clear as I poured through the Forum, Interviews, and all.

I too had some comfort in reading David Tacey's article, “Beyond Literal Thinking in Religion”; there is a whole life time of struggle and awareness in it; David's as well as my own. Being at the ripening age of 62, I have been 'reflecting' on many of the issues and topics outlined in his article and ponder on the next generation(s) for Christianity. If one cringes a bit, one could possibly consider David's article a simplified overview of the content found in Marcus J Borg's book, “Reading the Bible Again for the First Time”; a somewhat more “meat and potatoes” expression of thought.

Also of comfort and encouragement was listening to the last third of the interview, found on this site, of Bishop Geoffrey Robinson by Dr Ingrid Shafer when he eludes that a possible good starting point or “the issue” could be the Creation Stories. Hey, what better place to set things right than at “The Beginning”!

Sadly, it may possibly be true that, as Brian points out, one should remain “pessimistic about any future for institutional Catholicism”. In Church reality, whatever that is, I suppose the signs of the Church times are “here”; but they will better be visible, post October's ”New Evangelization” meeting of that group of bishops; but don't hold your breath. In the diocese I am in now, they have already begun prepping for the new/old age with more Latin and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, heaven forbid. I can't help thinking that the latter is like a trap cautioned by the Buddhist tradition: “The doctrine of Buddhism is a finger pointing at the moon. Do not mistake the finger for the moon.”

In a brighter light, on the CBC in Canada, we have a radio program called “Tapestry” found on line here: http://www.cbc.ca/tapestry/ It usually concerns aspects of religion. You may find the episode: “Keeping the Doubt” enjoyable; found here:
http://www.cbc.ca/tapestry/episode/2012/05/06/keeping-the-doubt/