"I rarely post on threads about this topic, but after seeing this post I had to ask. Do you have any data to back this statement up? If so, please provide a link, or was it simply your interperetation of a percieved assumption? I do not want to appear hostile in any way, not am I trying to be, but the gravity of that statement made me want to ask."
I can't really provide a link or anything like that. My statement is based on the general perception that the literal 6-day creation story is not widely believed. The Roman Catholic Church, the largest denomination of Christianity, does not teach it as literal fact, and even allows for evolution as a good explanation for the multiplicity of species.
The other mainstream denominations, Methodists, Episcopals, Prebyterians, Lutherans, etc. also do not claim literality for the creation story. Using the scripture, as in 2Peter 3:
"8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a THOUSAND YEARS, and a THOUSAND YEARS as one day.
"
They allow for the creation story to be taken as an allegory for creation.
So, my statement is really based on a general knowledge of the teachings of the mainstream churches, which, together, make up a majority of Christianity.
I'm sorry I can't give you a better source.
Understood and thank you for the clarification.
MM - even the Bible implies that it is allegorical:
"But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." 2 Peter 3:18
"For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night." Psalm 90:4
I don't see how someone could be a Bible "literalist" and ignore/deny parts of the Bible.
Ya. brings to mind the old hymn, "Oh G-d, Our Help In Ages Past". Relevant line: "A thousand ages in thy sight are like an evening gone."
'tis a hymn I've always liked and makes much sense to me. The Lord is not constrained by either time or space. The bilical story of creation is written as something that can be understood by a people of the desert. Besides, it is beautiful prose.
The Catholic church does not (in many cases) believe the Bible, and they make no apology for following the traditions of men rather than Scripture.
Just because they are "big" doesn't make that belief correct.
Also, most people who are Catholic are born into the religion, they do not convert to it or choose it.
John 5:46 For had ye believed Moses,
ye would have believed me:
for he wrote of me.
47 But if ye believe not his writings,
how shall ye believe my words?