Posted by floatingbridge on September 16, 2011, at 0:36:18
In reply to Lou's request-mnwomn » floatingbridge, posted by Lou Pilder on September 15, 2011, at 20:44:19
> > That's the title of the Harold Kushner book I am reading and loving right now. It is helping me with my childhood religious damage. It is a comforting and sane revisiting of the myth of Adam and Eve and their expulsion form Paradise. That's a myth that has, being misread IMO, has brought so much unnecessary suffering in a world in which suffering is already an intrinsic part.
> >
> > http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0316519332?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwwwgoodco-
20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0316519332&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2
> >
> > Wow. Long URL. Hope it works.
> >
>
> fb,
> You wrote,[...the xxxx of Adam and Eve...been misread..suffering...].
> I am unsure as to what you are wanting to mean. If you could post answers to the following, then I could have the opportunity to respond accordingly.
> A. Is it possible for Adam and Eve to not be mythical? If not, why not?
> B. If it is misread, how could it be read instead?
> C. What is the suffering from as to what is written in the reading about Adam and Eve?
> LouHi Lou,
I imagine it is possible Adam and Eve were actual people. Is this what you are asking? I think of them as mythical. I don't know why, really. I don't have anything to back up either position that I think would be helpful here.
Sometimes people can read Genisis and criticize Eve and from there, begin to disrespect all women in general. That's the first answer that comes to mind, and it's a small example. Kushner's entire book is about how he interprets their story in a positive light that he finds brings healing to his congregation. I'm not finished with it, but I can reccommend it as good reading to address your questions better than I can.
I am not sure I understand part C, or if I do, I can really address what I see as a profound question. You are asking what is the suffering from? Maybe from a deep sense of being unworthy of God's love, and a deep shame humanity caused God to reject us? Isolation and being unloved or feeling like an outcast can be intolerable for human beings. Humans seem to need connection.
You know, Lou, these are just my personal beliefs.
Have you been interested in Genesis, too? I hope it doesn't trouble you the way it does me.
A poet once wrote that something "hurts me the way the world hurts God."
Does the world hurt God? Some people think so. I don't know. Do you think so?
Very nice talking with you, Lou.
fb
I dig a pony.
poster:floatingbridge
thread:996833
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20101230/msgs/996895.html