[Yorick]

Originally Posted by Jaradu If faith is adaptable then doesn't that undermine the infallibility of holy texts? Especially for a literalist such as yourself.

There's a difference between the adaptability of faith, and the constancy of the written word. The text doesn't change, but how one understands that text and how they apply it in their life does change.

The only time faith adapts is in the face of overwhelming evidence where it would be ridiculous not to adapt. If you're confident your god-of-the-gaps exists, then fine, but for some we see a pattern emerging. (ie. as things explained by science goes up, things explained by religion goes down)

Not so. Christianity is what's called a progressive and revelatory faith. People alive today should have more understanding of God because we've been able to see the work of the Holy Spirit through generations. In the book "the victory of reason" http://www.amazon.com/Victory-Reason.../dp/1400062284 it is explained what effects this approach to faith had on society's progression.

Here's a quick review:

From Publishers Weekly It is a commonplace to think of Christianity and rationalism as opposite historical and philosophical forces. In this stimulating and provocative study, Stark (The Rise of Christianity) demonstrates that elements within Christianity actually gave rise not only to visions of reason and progress but also to the evolution of capitalism. Stark contends that Christianity is a forward-looking religion, evincing faith in progress and in its followers' abilities to understand God over time. Such a future-based rational theology has encouraged the development of technical and organizational advances, such as the monastic estates and universities of the Middle Ages. Stark contends that these developments transformed medieval political philosophy so that democracy developed and thrived in those states, such as northern Italy, that lacked despots and encouraged moral equality. Stark concludes by maintaining that Christianity continues to spread in places like Africa, China and Latin America because of its faith in progress, its rational theology and its emphasis on moral equality. While some historians are likely to question Stark's conclusions, his deftly researched study will force them to imagine a new explanation for the rise of capitalism in Western society. (Dec.) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.