reactions
I don't have a perfect memory of every book I've read in the past. Sometimes I enjoy re-reading a book, and I often find myself surprised at plot twists I must have already known about, but forgot over the years.
This time I was definitely surprised by some of the stories in Genesis, hardly believing I'd read this stuff uncritically as a kid, or that my parents would ever allow me to be exposed to it. I also saw much more of the modern conservative ideology in this book than I expected.
A few years ago, when I re-read the Gospel according to Matthew, I found a surprisingly complex Jesus, more human than I'd expected, and I came away from the experience feeling like Christians should actually read the Gospels because so much of what they proclaim is at odds with the words and life of Jesus. I felt like most Christians (even the more liberal ones) simply don't understand their own religion. I learned to admire Jesus, though I was not convinced of either his historical reality, or his divinity.
But after re-reading Genesis, I feel much differently. I found a surprisingly awful God, more mean and arbitrary than I'd expected, and I come away from the experience feeling like modern conservatives will find a lot of support for their awful beliefs in the Old Testament. I feel like throwing out the Old Testament and its awful God entirely, and teaming up with Satan.
I find the main themes of Genesis to be: sexism, racism, thoughtless obedience, unfair retribution against innocents, and the ends justify the means.
I can see how the stories in Genesis are eventually twisted into the totalitarian sexual rules of Catholicism, in which the only correct purpose of the genitals is procreative sex, and any incorrect use of the genitals is a mortal sin. Because we have God's example of killing individuals and destroying entire cities when their sexual mores stray, while God supports just about any sexual act that nevertheless leads to the birthing of sons.
I come away from Genesis feeling like I have a horrible taste in my brain that will take a few days to wash out. It was far more awful than I expected. I don't see how I will ever again take seriously a person who quotes the Old Testament favorably. I would not want my own children to read this book until they were old enough to understand it, and criticize it.
This time I was definitely surprised by some of the stories in Genesis, hardly believing I'd read this stuff uncritically as a kid, or that my parents would ever allow me to be exposed to it. I also saw much more of the modern conservative ideology in this book than I expected.
A few years ago, when I re-read the Gospel according to Matthew, I found a surprisingly complex Jesus, more human than I'd expected, and I came away from the experience feeling like Christians should actually read the Gospels because so much of what they proclaim is at odds with the words and life of Jesus. I felt like most Christians (even the more liberal ones) simply don't understand their own religion. I learned to admire Jesus, though I was not convinced of either his historical reality, or his divinity.
But after re-reading Genesis, I feel much differently. I found a surprisingly awful God, more mean and arbitrary than I'd expected, and I come away from the experience feeling like modern conservatives will find a lot of support for their awful beliefs in the Old Testament. I feel like throwing out the Old Testament and its awful God entirely, and teaming up with Satan.
I find the main themes of Genesis to be: sexism, racism, thoughtless obedience, unfair retribution against innocents, and the ends justify the means.
I can see how the stories in Genesis are eventually twisted into the totalitarian sexual rules of Catholicism, in which the only correct purpose of the genitals is procreative sex, and any incorrect use of the genitals is a mortal sin. Because we have God's example of killing individuals and destroying entire cities when their sexual mores stray, while God supports just about any sexual act that nevertheless leads to the birthing of sons.
I come away from Genesis feeling like I have a horrible taste in my brain that will take a few days to wash out. It was far more awful than I expected. I don't see how I will ever again take seriously a person who quotes the Old Testament favorably. I would not want my own children to read this book until they were old enough to understand it, and criticize it.