::::::::
I often think that Biblical stories are telling a moral much like Aesop's fables. It is a book that tells people what is acceptable behavior and thinking and what is not acceptable.I would like to take a look at the story of Adam and Eve. For those who have not heard this story, it goes like this. God makes Adam and Eve and places them in a beautiful garden. He doesn't want them touching a certain tree, however. He tells them not to touch the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Eve touches the tree and eats the fruit after a serpent tells her to. God kicks Adam and Eve out of the garden and they are to toil, have a bunch of kids, and conquer the earth.
First we notice that God treats people like dolls or playthings. He has his playhouse for these people to be in. Next, God's attitude toward people is flippant. One minute he likes them and the next he doesn't. Notice also that Eve is depicted as the weak one tricked by the serpent. Women are evil because they can be easily manipulated to not follow the rules. Next we have already noted God's attitude towards man as being flippant, and now we see that God does not want people to have knowledge. God wants people to be ignorant.
In the last part of the story we see that if we don't play like God wants us to he has a tantrum and throws us out to toil. The next thing we notice is the writer's attitude about life that it is toiling and difficult. He presents his attitude towards nature as being the conqueror. Nature is enslaved to man, and man has a right to destroy it.
Now why is this story relevant today? When we look at the average American's attitude toward global warming and nature in general, we can see where that attitude is coming from. It comes from this story. Man has the right and duty to conquer and destroy the earth. Man must procreate and fill the land. Most Americans don't see global warming as a problem because it causes friction with the story taught in the Bible.
Next, why do Americans have problems with science? Look at this story. God wants man to be ignorant and obedient. Science asks that you think for yourself, and learn. Science could be easily misconstrued as the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
Next another reason Americans do not care about global warming is because this life is toiling and difficult. Only after we die do we get anything good. It doesn't matter what happens in this life, because it's going to be bad anyway.
Now normally I believe people should believe what they want, but when belief begins impacting the way every other person on this planet lives, I think it's time for a change. I also believe in live and let live unless a person's beliefs cause him/her to be violent.
