The Church Cannot Change From Within
I say often here Christianity needs to change--it needs seem relevant to the general public which no longer needs to hear the old song and dance. I know, however, for most of the faith this is a bridge too far.
Think of what would need to change in order to broaden the appeal of Christianity. First there is the staff including any pastor. He/she likes what is being preached. Those in the pews either inherited the faith or chose it from among what was available. Where is the force that will change outdated beliefs or prejudice against people who are different? Something outside the church must change and force it on the church.
Forces outside the church have forced many changes in my lifetime. Female pastors did not start before women's liberation. Gay members, pastors and marriages did not change until gay rights caught fire. Abortion rights were mainstream, even endorsed by the Southern Baptist Convention, until revenue forced parts of mainstream to be against it.
As discussed here, Protestant denominations have split over the gay issue. This is a form of change from within, but it happened not because groups inside denominations forced change, but because society in general changed. This change was force on the faith.
The problem is, change within the faith is changing at a snail pace while societal change is on a racetrack. I myself can't keep up with societal ideas of my own children and their children. They adapt easily to changes I have to ponder for a while.
The basic ideas current denominations need to change can be found in the Apostles' Creed. It summarizes the myths and miracles in the form of an oath, "I believe..." People mumble they believe invisible gods and miracles that, so far as we know, never happened. Why would this appeal to any person who considered him/herself a rational logical person? Can the denominations stop going through the ritual every Sunday?
Though the church I attend occasionally no longer runs through the oath, for most others those in the pews will not tolerate skipping that ritual.
Jon; The gig is up. It has been clear over the years your desire is to systematically reduce the Christian church to nothing more than a social society with no stated purpose beyond the secular, or at best, something close to the Unitarian- Universal associations. I have known your smooth intentions for years, even from your Fargo days, but this current post most clearly defines your scheme. what you so "cunningly " prescribe is nothing short of the total elimination of Christianity in all its forms. Starting with small "popular" changes, then expanding to nothingness. Your condescending approach is well noted. QED
ReplyDeleteHelper "Your condescending approach is well noted."
DeleteThat is quite amazing coming from someone who writes '...nothing more than social society...something close to the Unitarian-Universal associations.." I read this to mean your branch of the faith is important while the branch called Unitarian-Universal is something to be scoffed at.
The Unitarian-Universalist church is a church based on serious pursuits. It is based on a "free and responsible search for truth and reason." Universal-Unitarians are "....unified by their shared search for spiritual growth guided by a dynamic living tradition."
You post fits the pattern of your time here. It is exactly like posts that come along here also from tsm and Matt. Sometimes I write something you cannot refute and that make you really mad. So, you and others write a post the does not refute what I wrote but results from the desire to "tell Jon off."
And, that's ok. If it makes you feel better have at it.
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DeleteJon; You missed how all encompassing the subject matter in my post was in relation to your topic. Your defensive reply is expected, and is weak. More qed.
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