Great Idea: Secular Bible Study

The Minnesota Atheists and a United Methodist church in Minnesota are teaming up to sponsor a secular bible study. The study will focus on the will focus on the the Bible’s historical and cultural context and aims to “foster and nurture relationships between folks who would otherwise avoid each other,” according to Chester O’Gorman, community outreach director for the church.

O’Gorman says:

We’ve discerned that people have lost or lack the skills to engage in constructive and respectful dialogue in the context of profound disagreement,

I am a theist – no question about it – but I have many atheist friends and acquaintances. I think this gives me a well-rounded perspective on things. I may vehemently disagree with the conclusion they draw but by engaging in sensible discourse, I learn to spot fallible arguments on “my side” of the debate. More importantly, I learn to respect other human beings and their opinions.

I wish more people would take this approach in other areas. Our culture emphasizes exclusionary thinking and I think that’s a shame. One debate where this comes to mind is the abortion debate. I am pro-choice but I have many, many friends who would love nothing better than for Roe v. Wade to be overturned. Many of them don’t take advantage of opportunities to actually solve the problem. People on both sides of the debate may have a lot they can agree on. Why can we not get together in the spirit of this Bible study to help solve a real problem?