While reading Richard Dawkin's book 'The God Delusion' i came across a reference to JS Spong's book 'A New Christianity for a New World' which I have now read and found most interesting.
I have spent most of my life in Australia but was raised in a very strict fundamental pentecostal church in northern Sweden. From a young age I was told I was a sinner and needed to be saved and would spend hours on my knees praying to be saved and baptised in the holy spirit while other kids my age were outside playing games. Seems so weird now but when you grow up in a family where this is 'normal' I did not really question this until my teenage years when I did a complete turnaround and left all this behind (and also emigrated to Australia).Incredibly my siblings in this day and age still literally believe all the bible stories which I find totally amazing. One of my brothers has actually been quite a well known gospel singer in the US for nearly 50 years.
JS Spongs book has really struck a chord with me and I find I can relate to his view of the bible, God and science. I don't have anyone I can talk to about these matters as nobody I know, including my partner, has the slightest interest in anything spiritual. All conversation has to be on a superficial, materialistic level and if somebody has a religion their faith is not to be questioned at all.
I look forward to having a conversation with and exchange ideas with other members of this forum. Are there any other members living in Australia?