Everybody wants to go to heaven but nobody wants to die ...

There is a groundswell movement in the United States of people coming out of the closet.

However, it is not the gay closet, but rather the closet of literal Bible belief or a belief in strict theism.

Many are using the “coming out” language of the gay community, to describe the process of admitting to themselves, their friends and their family that they can no longer accept an inerrant and infallible Bible.

It is easy for more fundamentalist believers to class these folk as heretics, rebels and backsliders.

However, their stories tell a different story. It is often a story of intense struggle and fear of ostracism from friends, family and, of course, church. Coming out can mean a serious threat to their social connections and even their family life.

The stories usually begin in the same way: a questioning of the literal truth of the Bible and of creationist teachings. Why is it that Genesis chapter one portrays man and woman being created after the animals; whereas Genesis two sees the animals created after the man and before the women?

Nit-picking over minor matters some will say. However, when these “minor matters” (these contradictions) multiply themselves throughout the Bible text, it is difficult to turn a blind eye no matter how much sophistry is employed to explain them away.

Another initial cause of disquiet is the portrayal of God in what is called the “Old Testament”. Literally millions are slaughtered by God or at God’s behest.  The “God so loved the world…” of John 3:16 seems strangely incompatible with what some see as tales of genocide.

Next, the Bible’s presentation of moral accountability seems anything but moral. A person can live a life of giving, self-sacrifice and love for their neighbour, but a failure to believe in Jesus will see them roast in hell for eternity.

On the other hand, a treacherous, murderous, thieving sod can make a last minute confession of faith and live in heaven forever and always.

The person coming out of the bible believing closet has heard the well-rehearsed arguments against these problems more times than they care to remember. But, there comes a day when those arguments seem hollow and threadbare.

Many simply stay and sit uncomfortably in the pew. Admitting their true beliefs is seen as too high a cost to pay.