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This is somewhat inspired by Facebook Debate Number...Five, I believe. The one with the bloke with the chalkboard listing mostly Levetical laws.

Cherry-picker, vanity Christian, fake Christian, fair weather Christian...I'm pretty sure all of us have at least heard these terms thrown around. Many of you have probably used one or more or them to describe someone, or had someone else use one of those terms to describe you. I know they've all been directed at me somewhat frequently, by many different people.

Now, the latter three I take some exception to. They might even offend me if I'm having a bad day, because they imply that I do not take my faith seriously, which couldn't be further from the truth.

But yes boys and girls, I am a cherry-picker. Blame my Catholic upbringing (where sola scriptura is not supported), blame my bleeding-heart liberal socialist political views, blame the fact that I have first-hand experience translating dead languages and know that it is in some cases impossible to come up with a literal, accurate translation that makes sense and is not disputed by someone else working on their own translation, blame the fact that I'm gay, blame my cat, I don't care. I choose to believe that some of the Bible is figurative and not literal, and also that it needs to be kept in historical context. Society has changed a great deal in over 2000 years and I think that's vital to keep in mind when interpreting the Bible. What was acceptable practises back then may not be so acceptable now. Some things that were relevant then are not relevant now. So yes, I do some cherry-picking based on the reasons listed, as well as others that are escaping my sleep-deprived brain. And is my cherry-picking influenced by my own personal biases and experiences? Of course it is. Not on purpose, of course, but I'm human. It's impossible for me to be completely objective, as it is for every human being.

So yes, I'm a cherry-picker. And you know what? You probably are, too. Every opinion we as human beings have is going to be coloured by our own unique personalities and experiences. I have never encountered, online, offline, or even in my dreams, a person who follows the Bible to a T, or even believes every word of the Bible wholly and literally and completely, because no matter how hard one may try, there is no absolute, universally agreed-upon way of interpreting the Bible. Someone, somewhere, is going to see you as a Cafeteria Christian (hey, I just thought of another thing I've been called!)

Calling someone a "cherry-picker" usually implies that the person in question is arrogant, stubborn, and weak in faith because of their inability to "truly" give themselves over to God. And in some cases that may very well be true, but before making such accusations, I think we all need to take a good hard look at ourselves first.

Anyway, thoughts? Agree or disagree? Why or why not? Have I offended you deeply?

Ever since I was a middle schooler, I've held the opinion that even if the bible came from God, it's been in man's hands. And man has free-will, which includes making a bad or wrong decision. So, I wouldn't be surprised if it was altered when it was put together.

Although I think what gets me are the christians that are very much against homosexuality, but at the same time are okay with divorce, and are divorced themselves.

I feel like they would rather focus on flaws that don't belong to them, which is very annoying.

First off divorce is ok according to scripture by one condition. One of the spouses has to commit adultery for it to lawful acording to God.

"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;" (2 Timothy 3:16) The word inspired in the orginal language means God breathed. It's only used here any when God breathed life into Adam. Thus why some Bibles are called The Living Bible.
Now the scripture we have does have flaws due to the translation issues, but the orginal Scripture is perfect. Out of all the mistakes in the Bible not a single one has to do with doctrine. If one denies that it is the same as denying the fact that God breathed life into us for it is the same thing. If you deny parts of it then you must deny it all due to the fact that scripture supports itself in several places.

Stereotyping people isn't cool. Plus the word homophobic is completely misused the way you using it now. To have a phobia one must have an unreasonable fear, when they are around what it is they are afraid of they completely freak out. By misusing that word the way you are it ruins the validity of people that actually have phobias. It's practically like calling someone a retard. I suggest you think before you put labels on people.

Just because someone doesn't agree with something doesn't mean they hate it. Anyways, you say they spout ugliness but you are saying hateful things about them righ now. So, please think about what you are doing before you point fingers. "Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?" Luke 6:41

I would think this term probably more closely applies to people who intentionally use selected verses and scriptures to bolster their own personal views and agendas. If someone is citing scripture out of innocent faith or honest resolve, I don't think that really makes them all that guilty.