Gospels, bible so full of contradictions it can’t be taken as a guide to a moral life

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Written by Staff Reporter

Wednesday, 12 September 2007

Dear Editor,
I would like to thank you for the opportunity to air my clearly unpopular views, and indeed thank those thoughtful respondents from last week (29 August). The debate about religion and abortion could go on 'ad infinitum' and it will not be settled here, however there are some points of this debate to be clarified.

Firstly, I have not, nor will I ever, speak 'on behalf of Amnesty International'. I am not a member of Amnesty, and I doubt I ever will be. I have only in this limited debate, defended their right to support abortion rights in certain circumstances. To say that I am their spokesperson on any level is unfair to both Amnesty and myself.

Secondly, I am not in any sense 'pro-abortion'. The loss of any human life is at the very least regrettable. However, abortion is a private, personal matter better dealt with by an individual's conscience, ethicists and medical professionals. The idea that the Catholic Church, an organisation which for so long treated women as second-class humans, and which actively protected priests who were involved in the horrors of child abuse, should have any say in the lives of women and children (be they Catholic or not) is wholly disgusting to me.

Finally, from where did I get the idea that Christians should believe what they like in private, but keep their 'mouths shut' on government policy and public morality? I learned it from Jesus of Nazareth (whom I respect) and Saul of Tarsus (later Saint Paul). Jesus taught that Christians should expect mockery for their beliefs; this is all part of the divine plan. Furthermore he stated that rather than fighting back Christians MUST 'turn the other cheek'. (Luke 6:29). He added that 'Church' and 'State' were wholly separate (Matthew 22:21) and Saint Paul ordered Christians to accept the laws of their heathen rulers (Romans 13:1) because all authorities (good and bad) are put there by God.

Of course there are many biblical quotes, which might contradict all this. That, however, is my point. The Gospels, and the Bible, as well as religious tradition as a whole, is so full of hypocrisy, contradictions and errors that they cannot be taken seriously as a guide to the moral life. To those Christians who disagree with me and oppose my views I can only ask that they do as their God demanded and 'forgive' me.

Sincerely,
Paul Grealish,
Wellpark,
Galway.