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Originally Posted by BananaStand
I'd say if your family is off the rails, religion isn't going to help them.
It's been mentioned here that there is a difference between people who interpret the scripture literally, and people who see metaphors meant to be used as guidance. Yes, there are people in both categories, but I think there are a HELL of a lot more in the former category, and it's really hard to remain pious if you're in the latter category.
As far as I know, every significant sect of Christianity believes that there was a woman who was married and living with a man some 2000 years ago, in the middle east, and somehow managed to stay a virgin. Then, one night, a bearded guy on a cloud sent an angel to this woman in a dream and when she woke up she was pregnant with a human being.
Then, some 35 years later, that human being got nailed to some wood left standing 10 feet high in the desert sun for a long fucking time. then his dead and lifeless body was sealed in a cave. then three days later, he just woke up, walked out, and flew into the sky where he lives forever with his dad, the bearded guy on the cloud.
they ALL believe that's fact. Once you're there, it's really not hard to believe water turned into wine, or that the red sea parted, or that a 500 year old man built a 1,000 foot wooden boat by himself.
I can't imagine ANYONE becoming cynical about that, and then subsequently reversing their position. I'm sure it's happened a handful of times, born-agains and what not, but c'mon wuf. If you're family left that behind, they are never going back. Even if they say they still believe, they don't. It's just for appearances. If they were really that faithful, they wouldn't be off the rails in the first place.
I'm not sure how this compares, but my family identifies as catholic. I was confirmed by a priest when i was 17. I can tell you I believe none of it. My parents just put that stuff on me because that's what their parents did for them, and that's what they assumed they were supposed to do. I don't think my parents are real believers, but they'd never admit it because they would feel as though they are betraying their family traditions.
Me, I just don't have the remorse. I went through the motions when I was a teen, but as an adult I'm not shy about my cynicism. My mom's eyes almost exploded out of her head when I told her I wasn't getting my first daughter baptized. But, she got over it. Two daughters and zero baptisms later nothing bad has happened.
I guess my point is that it sounds like your family is just going through the motions on the religion, and have been merely as a tribute to the traditions of prior generations, and not because of any faith or appreciation for God. And if that's the case, bringing out the bible is going to have the opposite effect you're seeking.
They're Christians and HUGE fans of the Bible. So much so that using the Bible as an authority is the most sure way to get them to humble themselves. However, the practice of the ethos has deteriorated over time. I believe that if that had not happened, the problems that have since arisen would not have.
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