I am not at all suggesting that we try to make God's Word fit with secular ideas. I am suggesting that you have wrongly interpreted Genesis.
Genisis 1 is meant to teach one thing and one thing only:
That God created everything out of nothing, that he created man in his own image, that man seperated himself from God through disobedience, and that God immediately set about the long - or at least it seems long to us - process of healing that rift, a process which culminated with the death and resurrection of Christ. That is ALL it teaches.
Everything in Genesis is meant to convey that truth, but it is done in the ancient Semitic style of writing, using allegories, fantastic imagery, and all based on traditions that were handed down for centuries. I do not believe there was a serpent, or a tree, or a garden, etc. These are all images & allegories, in a certain style of writing, meant to convey the fundamental truth I stated above.
Dear Catholic Crusader,
What I got from Genesis was that it was all to teach man and woman to Choose Good Instead Of Evil!! That is the message throughout the Bible. Choose the Good, Eschew the Evil. It is plain as day, but no one seems to get it. And the Bible is The Good. And yes, there was a serpent, and garden. It is not made up, but reality. The serpent spoke 'telepathically,' for loss of a better word to describe it. I can't deal with a serpent that could speak plain Semitic words. I doubt that very much.
Even Jesus died as a symbol for men to live their life as per His Example. I've tried to do that same thing. I love everyone unconditionally, including my enemies. But I do hate their ways, if they are evil. As for myself, I forgive their ways quickly, considering how often I have sinned also. God and Jesus, and the Holy Ghost, have had to forgive me 7,000 times 7,000 ~ more or less. I've been no angel either. But I've learned that there are definitely other words to use instead of cussing or swearing. That was sort of easy once I realized it. I quit doing that. I've quit smoking, quit drinking, quit having sex, quit many other things. But still, the devil accuses me almost constantly. I ignore him. I know that he is after my soul, so I do my best. I do hope that you all will do so too!! See Rev. 12:10KJV, "and the accuser of our brothers/ brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God, day and night." It is extremely hard to be strong against all of his accusing, but I do my best. Someday, you will understand too, if you're going to Heaven, you will have to learn to overcome it also. It does say, "Woe to those who dwell on Earth, for the accuser of our brethren is cast down to the Earth..." I'm just telling you more of the Scripture that I first mentioned to help you understand. God Be With You All during those times and even more. Satan, that devil, will try anything to screw you up, but it will be in vain, because those who love God and Christ, and the Holy Ghost, will not let it get to them and shall be faithful to God! Do not fight, but instead, leave the fight to Jesus and God. You need not partake of the fight. They can handle the devil because he has been around for a long time and it isn't fair to ANY Christian to have to fight such evil. Let Jesus be your savior instead!! Okay, I hope that I've explained myself well here. You'll all be fine, those who love God and Jesus.
Praise The Lord!!
Michael