Here's a transcript of a chat I had with my JW friend last week:
Friend (10:23 AM) :
you see this article on the google bar yet? http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,13509-1811332,00.html
Friend (10:26 AM) :
just wondering if you saw it and what you thought about it... I know we have much differing beliefs but to me what they are saying doesn't make sense
ME (10:26 AM) :
let me read it
Friend (10:34 AM) :
are you writing an essay? :-)
ME (10:36 AM) :
that's why i consider myself a catholic church apologist... though I don't believe any of it, they face the reality that the bible cannot always be taken literally and it isn't always accurate on every issue, as some believe... the bible is loaded with contradictory propositions. i believe that the bible can be a great moral guide because it teaches that each person has intrinsic value and that each person should be respected as a human being (golden rule), but that's solely because of the new testament. the old testament is violent, arbitrary, and cruel.
The catholic church is simply recognizing that there are a large number of things in the bible that can't be taken literally, such as genisys, because it contradicts reality... they take very pragmatic views on a lot of scientific matters... the jesuits are well known for their scholarship over the last several centuries, so the church has adapted, to understand that in order to remain relevant, they must face the facts and stick to moral issues - i could go on and on with this issue, because i think it is important and i worry when groups attempt to force schools into the intelligent design controversy. all the bishops are saying is that not everything can be taken literally in the bible, and to do so could send people in a direction that is destructive, cruel, and justifying of violence to certain races, such as the jews.... so what doesn't make sense?
Friend (10:43 AM) :
ok, the school thing, I don't even want to go there because I get irritated. :-) To me you either believe the Bible or you don't... which is where your understanding comes into play. And when you say they must face the facts and stick to moral issues... well... I guess I don't want to argue about it lol, I just wanted to see what you thought.
ME (10:44 AM) :
lol... ah, but to believe 100% requires the suspension of logic... how can you justify two contradictory statements... there's loads of em
Friend (10:46 AM) :
it doesn't require suspension of logic and things are only contradictory if you don't understand them... if you take every statement literally then things won't make sense... hence why they are basically dropping Revelation since it's mostly symbolism
ME (10:47 AM) :
well, you just said... believe it or not.. how do you determine what's literal and not?
there are plenty of statements about specific things that are complete opposite in different parts of the bible
-END-
He didn't respond after that. I figured that since he's so well-versed in the bible that he'd be willing to argue it... but i guess not. I'm still working on him....