Picking and choosing?

Question

Does "that" refer to "picking and choosing"?

Background info:

Of course, irritated theologians will protest that we don't take
the book of Genesis literally any more. But that is my whole point!
We pick and choose which bits of scripture to believe, which bits to
write off as symbols or allegories. Such picking and choosing is a
matter of personal decision, just as much, or as little, as the atheist's
decision to follow this moral precept or that was a personal
decision, without an absolute foundation. If one of these is
'morality flying by the seat of its pants', so is the other.

GPY · Accepted Answer

I can't see how that sentence is correctly formed.

Philip · Answer

GPYI can't see how that sentence is correctly formed.

Nor can I. Would it be better with which instead of that?

GPY · Answer

I wondered if perhaps the words "was a" should be deleted. Not sure though.

Blue Jay · Answer

SweetFreedomDoes "that" refer to "picking and choosing"?

No. It means ...as the atheist's decision to follow this moral precept, or that (moral precept), was a personal decision...

This moral precept and that (moral precept) represent whatever specific moral precept(s) the atheist decides to follow.

GPY · Answer

Blue JayNo. It means ...as the atheist's decision to follow this moral precept, or that (moral precept), was a personal decision...

Duh, of course you're right ...

Philip · Answer

Blue Jay SweetFreedomDoes "that" refer to "picking and choosing"?No. It means ...as the atheist's decision to follow this moral precept, or that (moral precept), was a personal decision...This moral precept and that (moral precept) represent whatever specific moral precept(s) the atheist decides to follow.

You got it again, as always!

Picking and choosing?

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