Because religion cites their ancient texts as authority, their historical teachers as guides and examples to be emulated. And this is a necessary part of many religions which would not survive without it.
Trial by combat is gone, and no one cites the code duello as a legal text. Law firms don’t cite a professional duelist as a respected founding member to be emulated.
The theory of the four elements is gone. Scientists no longer cite Aristotle as an authority on physics. “Ipse dixit,” isn’t used even when Aristotle was right.
The theories of colonialism and racial superiority are on the outs. No one publicly asks on a question of government policy “What would Cecil Rhodes do?” Much less assume that that’s the right thing to do. Even if they like some writings of Thomas Jefferson, they don’t claim they are right because Jefferson wrote them.
Christians cite old testament laws to condemn homosexuality or genesis as an actual text. They cite Moses or Paul as authorities on morality. As authorities on anything. They guide themselves by asking “WWJD?” Catholics even hold up the institution of the papacy as giving moral authority, and accept that the Borgias were legitimate moral authorities.
If a person doesn’t view the bible as giving useful historical or scientific knowledge; If they don’t accept the teachings of Moses, Paul or Jesus as being specially relevant; If they don’t hold up Jesus as a paragon of virtue to be emulated; In what way are they still a Christian?
Because religion cites their ancient texts as authority, their historical teachers as guides and examples to be emulated. And this is a necessary part of many religions which would not survive without it.
Trial by combat is gone, and no one cites the code duello as a legal text. Law firms don’t cite a professional duelist as a respected founding member to be emulated.
The theory of the four elements is gone. Scientists no longer cite Aristotle as an authority on physics. “Ipse dixit,” isn’t used even when Aristotle was right.
The theories of colonialism and racial superiority are on the outs. No one publicly asks on a question of government policy “What would Cecil Rhodes do?” Much less assume that that’s the right thing to do. Even if they like some writings of Thomas Jefferson, they don’t claim they are right because Jefferson wrote them.
Christians cite old testament laws to condemn homosexuality or genesis as an actual text. They cite Moses or Paul as authorities on morality. As authorities on anything. They guide themselves by asking “WWJD?” Catholics even hold up the institution of the papacy as giving moral authority, and accept that the Borgias were legitimate moral authorities.
If a person doesn’t view the bible as giving useful historical or scientific knowledge; If they don’t accept the teachings of Moses, Paul or Jesus as being specially relevant; If they don’t hold up Jesus as a paragon of virtue to be emulated; In what way are they still a Christian?