ManM

Vorkosigan,
So it is a lack of necessity that makes mythical Christianity superior to historical Christianity? If Christianity is historical, we immediately must say its interpretation is bound by history. Those who preserve that history must necessarily be authoritarian. And so if we allow a mythological view of Christ, we can do away with this problem of history; can do away with authority, and people will be free to interpret things any way they please.

I am not convinced this is a good argument, simply because I'm not as opposed to authoritarianism as you are. If there is one truth bound by history, I would hope someone would preserve it, and I would also hope they would speak with authority so as to avoid confusion.

Furthermore, the label 'Christianity' has become so robust it is practically meaningless. These days, if I tell you I'm a Christian I still haven't told you much. I could be a Christian who hates homosexuals, I could be a Christian who is tolerant, I could be a Christian who wants people to burn in hell, I could be a universalist, ad infinitum. Quite frankly, the only thing I've told you is that Jesus Christ plays some role in my religion. Sorry if this comes across as a rant, but it really is my pet peeve. Yes, Christianity is bigger than atheism, but it should not be any looser.

Finally, I'm not so sure any fundamental axioms are rational. Reason plays its part in reconciling the world to our axioms, not in judging between axioms. When I said that gnosticism makes no sense, I meant it in the context of Christian axioms. Gnosticism is fine as a religion on its own, but it cannot be reconciled with Christianity. That is essentially what I'm saying about JC mythology. Such a view of Jesus cannot be reconciled with the fundamentals of Christianity. It just doesn't make any sense.

Vorkosigan

Vorkosigan,
So it is a lack of necessity that makes mythical Christianity superior to historical Christianity? If Christianity is historical, we immediately must say its interpretation is bound by history. Those who preserve that history must necessarily be authoritarian. And so if we allow a mythological view of Christ, we can do away with this problem of history; can do away with authority, and people will be free to interpret things any way they please.

I don't see anything wrong with allowing individuals to come to their own conclusions about the great questions in life.

I am not convinced this is a good argument, simply because I'm not as opposed to authoritarianism as you are. If there is one truth bound by history, I would hope someone would preserve it, and I would also hope they would speak with authority so as to avoid confusion.

There are two different uses of the word "authority" here. One is temporal power, the other, scholarly acumen. Don't confuse them.

Furthermore, the label 'Christianity' has become so robust it is practically meaningless.
These days, if I tell you I'm a Christian I still haven't told you much. I could be a Christian who hates homosexuals, I could be a Christian who is tolerant, I could be a Christian who wants people to burn in hell, I could be a universalist, ad infinitum. Quite frankly, the only thing I've told you is that Jesus Christ plays some role in my religion. Sorry if this comes across as a rant, but it really is my pet peeve. Yes, Christianity is bigger than atheism, but it should not be any looser.

It can't help but be, ManM. Atheism is just a lack of a single belief. Christianity is a huge, loose religious system with hundreds of doctrines. I can't blame you for ranting, I know many Christians are frustrated by the lack of unity among the Churches. Frankly, I think it is a good thing, but I know you don't.

Finally, I'm not so sure any fundamental axioms are rational.

Let's say, that holding fundamental axioms that fail repeatedly, that conflict with our experience of the world, is not rational.

Reason plays its part in reconciling the world to our axioms, not in judging between axioms. When I said that gnosticism makes no sense, I meant it in the context of Christian axioms. Gnosticism is fine as a religion on its own, but it cannot be reconciled with Christianity. That is essentially what I'm saying about JC mythology. Such a view of Jesus cannot be reconciled with the fundamentals of Christianity. It just doesn't make any sense.

Well, that's a little different statement....

Vorkosigan