p.s. on religion
A reader writes on the post below (“A different way to question religion”), which helps me clarify something we all need to remember. Divisions and problems in one church — not only one denomination but a particular church branch — apply to that church, and should be addressed at its source. But they become opportunities for believers to check just what beliefs their church members hold.
The example in the earlier story was in a Methodist church. Hope writes:
As a life long Methodist I know that these representations of our faith are incorrect. The Methodist faith deeply ingrains the scripture in daily life. It is further defined by the book of discipline which supports the theological knowledge of heaven, hell, sin, is pro life, and does not affirm or condone homosexuality. It is a shame the actions of a few are held up as the standard of the faith. As a Catholic, you should shudder. As a Methodist, I do not believe that all priests are child molesters.
I do shudder, Hope. There seems to be no end to the abuse crisis. Thank you for not judging all priests by the horrible actions of a small minority, or all Catholics by the actions and beliefs of certain dissidents and politicians. They have provided many opportunities to clarify Church teaching.
The Anglicans, Episcopalians, Lutherans, Methodists, Catholics and others each have their major and minor differences that are rupturing Christian churches within, in addition to the assault they are taking from without. Which is why the questions Mike Adams raises in his article represent a confrontation with core beliefs, necessary to ask as the secular culture holds more sway over modern Christians. Pope Benedict challenged the Church in his “dictatorship of relativism” homily, as he has before and after that.
Columnist and writer Don Feder addressed this problem in his book “Who’s Afraid of the Religious Right” by confronting his fellow Jews on secular relativism. “Are we merely Jew-ish or are we Jews? Are we ‘conservatives of Jewish extraction’ or are we Jews whose souls resonate to three millennia of Jewish teaching–Jews animated by the vision of Sinai, Jews who understand that loyalty to that lofty vision requires them to be conservatives of the spirit? Those of us who choose to be genuinely Jewish and genuinely conservative have at our disposal a Written and Oral Law that contains all the agenda we’ll ever need.”
Benedict talked today about unity in core beliefs (see post below). Those being the markers of Judeo-Christian ethics, it’s fair to challenge any Jews or Christians who stray off of them. ‘Always be prepared to make a defense’ for what you believe.
By writing in with a defense of what she believes, Hope also took the opportunity to do something that unites Christians more than what divides. Benedict talked about today.
Sanctity grows in the capacity for conversion and penance, of willingness to start again and, above all, in the capacity for reconciliation and forgiveness.
Especially if you think the person you’re forgiving is wrong and hurtful. Okay….she said “arrogant and ignorant.” But Mike Adams is used to being called that.