Bishop John Shelby Spong.

Sir Sirius · Post by **Sir Sirius** » 2003-05-27 03:04pm

I just heard part of a speach he made last Saturday in Helsinki, it sounded very interresting so I decided to see what the Omniscient Google could tell me of him... and after a bit of reading I must admit that I am impressed.

You can find a short article about him here and his unofficial fansite here.

The best way to lose all is to cling with desperation to that which cannot possibly be sustained literally. Literalistic Christians will learn that a God or a faith system that has to be defended daily is finally no God or faith system at all. They will learn that any god who can be killed ought to be killed. Ultimately they will discover that all their claims to represent the historical, traditional, or biblical truth of Christianity cannot stop the advance of knowledge that will render every historic claim for a literal religious system questionable at best, null and void at worst.
-- Bishop John Shelby Spong

I am amazed that given the knowledge revolution of the last 600 years, anyone could still regard the Bible as the dictated3 word of God, inerrant and eternal.
-- Bishop John Shelby Spong

Contemporary research has today uncovered new facts that are producing a rising conviction that homosexuality — is a healthy, natural and affirming form of human sexuality.
-- Bishop John Shelby Spong

If only all christians were like that...

Arrow · Post by **Arrow** » 2003-05-27 06:17pm

It's good see that someone who isn't a fundie is getting some time in the public's eye.

Saurencaerthai · Post by **Saurencaerthai** » 2003-05-27 07:34pm

Contemporary research has today uncovered new facts that are producing a rising conviction that homosexuality — is a healthy, natural and affirming form of human sexuality.
-- Bishop John Shelby Spong

This man makes me happy!

Superman · Post by **Superman** » 2003-05-27 08:28pm

I have read many of Spong's books. Fundies hate him.

NapoleonGH · Post by **NapoleonGH** » 2003-05-27 08:50pm

he is a good guy, im pretty sure he is episcopalian, a denomination I have found to be generally made up of reasonable people, at least in relation to religion

SyntaxVorlon · Post by **SyntaxVorlon** » 2003-05-27 08:54pm

Superman wrote:I have read many of Spong's books. Fundies hate him.

No wonder, one of his books is titled "Saving the Bible from Fundamentalism." Fundies have to hate him by default.

Andrew J. · Post by **Andrew J.** » 2003-05-27 09:50pm

There are plenty of reasonalbe, intelligent Christians, it's just that they stay home and leave everybody alone while the fundies go out and attract attention to themselves. It's nice to see a reasonable guy like this going out and raking muck.

I would also like to add that "Spong" is a hilarious name, although it does not impede on the man's character.

Saurencaerthai · Post by **Saurencaerthai** » 2003-05-27 10:06pm

Andrew J. wrote:There are plenty of reasonalbe, intelligent Christians, it's just that they stay home and leave everybody alone while the fundies go out and attract attention to themselves. It's nice to see a reasonable guy like this going out and raking muck.

And it's so true! Whenever I go on christianity rants to people who haven't heard me rant before, I always have to give the disclaimer that I have no issue with most christians. It's just the biggoted fundies I can't stand!