The Year 2021 Saw Society Running Religion, Not Visa Versa


While it has always been the case societies invent and manage the direction of religions, this past year has been a teachable moment. Instead of religion remaining a "constant" while events and views in the surrounding society changed, we saw in 2021 religion running to catch up with society wherever the latter goes.

On January 6th we saw the cross and the flag carried by those breaking into the Capitol. The entire event was fueled by the political claim of a fraudulent election. A large branch, perhaps a majority, of Christians say to this day the election was caused by cheating. The majority of Republicans poll supporting this and that the party is at least 3/4th right wing Christian. Anyone who claims societal norms are not running conservative Christianity is not paying attention. 

A few years back there was at least a debate as to whether the Christian right should abandon the concept of separation of church and state and crawl in bed with big business that always wants lower taxes and less regulation of its interests. That debate no long takes place because all the barriers have been torn to shreds. Church and state have become one and the same. Christian nationalism has taken hold in both the Catholic and Protestant branches. 

Parts of the Catholic leadership, especially the Pope, has tried to steer the ship toward its teaching in social justice. The political right in the church, anti-abortion zealots, has no interest in this or is actively opposed. All of this was accurately summarized in the link:

In a country with polarized choices and decreasing religious salience, politics is a foundational social identity and Americans bring their religious identities and beliefs in line with what their party preaches.

The small sign board in front of churches, especially those of small churches, tells the title of next week's sermon. I wonder if they soon if sermons will have overt political titles like "Bring Back Trump" or "Biden's a Jerk"?  



Comments

  1. little helperJanuary 3, 2022 at 7:49 PM

    Re, "A large branch, perhaps a majority" ----"Anyone who claims societal norms are not running conservative Christianity is not paying attention"; Not all Jon, not all.
    re. "Christian nationalism has taken hold in both the Catholic and Protestant branches"; Again not all.
    We have both Democrats and Republicans in our membership, and politics is not a topic of conversation in church or in print. Nor will you EVER see political titles like "bring back Trump or Biden's a jerk" on the sign board.
    Just wanted to remind you of our previous conversations. In the past, you have qualified most statements, and I appreciate that, but this time there is a sense of conflation.
    You need not print this. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jon LindgrenJanuary 3, 2022 at 8:58 PM

    helper--I agree, I forget the qualifiers sometimes, they should always be there.

    ReplyDelete

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