Friday, October 28, 2005
Religion, Politics and Power
It's been frustrating to watch the confused combination of religion and politics, particularly surrounding the events of the U.S. Supreme Court nominations this week. Harriet Miers withdrew herself in the midst of growing controversy, especially as conservative groups placed enormous pressure on President Bush for a nominee with clear conservative views.
My frustration centers on the fact that it is predominately Christians who are leading this campaign. Certainly every person, including the religiously conservative, has a right to express their opinions within a democracy. That is granted. The disturbing part is the underlying framework behind these conservative Christians. They operate under the assumption that by securing power in Washington (and every other political center) their Christian values will be lived out in the public square. Just elect a Christian (i.e. read: "Republican") President, stack the Supreme Court with conservatives, etc. and we will return to the mythical Judeo-Christian values on which the U.S. was founded.
Before you criticize this as a rant against conservatives, be assured that the political and Christian left are often guilty of the same approaches, but of course, cloaked differently and based on differing priorities. Liberals are also preoccupied with the quest for power.
I can't help but contrast the attitudes of today's politically vocal Christians with Jesus who proclaimed a "Kingdom of God" that superseded political structures, and taught that servanthood was the ultimate way to effect change and influence the world. Interestingly, in Jesus' time the religious people of Palestine were looking for their own ways to reinstate God's rule and values in place of the pagan Romans who held power. People were looking for a political Messiah that would lead this revolt and seize power in Jerusalem. Jesus, however, would have none of it, and ultimately the populace turned their back on him despite the fact that his revolution of the spirit was having a greater impact on the political system than any of them could ever imagine.
It's time for followers of Jesus to truly the follow the way of Jesus when dealing with the political structures around them.
Friday, October 21, 2005
Disgruntled Christians
Over the past six months I have maintained this blog (although sporadically at times!) because of my deep conviction that Christianity as a religion has got way off track from the spiritually-radical, anti-religious message of Jesus. (For review of my perspective, be sure to check out one of my initial posts: "So, what's wrong with religion?").
As I alluded in another essential post, "Why so negative?", my intent is not to be purely negative, or disrespectful of those for whom the Christian religion provides meaning. While my blog may come across as negative at times, my ultimate intent is to see Jesus' very positive message expressed. But, the reality is that before we recover his radical new way of approaching God and others, we must be honest about the state of Christianity today. And, it may mean rejecting those elements that are contrary to the very spirit of the one whom we call "Lord". This "deconstruction" process is in keeping with our understanding that death is a prerequisite for resurrection.
It is evident to me that there are more and more disgruntled followers of Jesus out there who are seeing through the facade of Christian religion, and are yearning for more something congruent. Most people have not given up on God, or their Christian beliefs, but increasingly you hear people reject "organized religion".
But, all is not negative. Out of the ashes is rising a new band of Christ-followers committed to the ideals of Jesus. Are they reactionary, idealistic, and even naive? Probably in some cases. But, I am encouraged to see, for example, the rapid growth of the "emerging church movement" which tends to be comprised of positive, informally-networked groups of individuals willing to step outside the box of conventional Christianity. Of course, mainstream Christians (especially the conservative side of the spectrum) are taking notice and are feeling threatened by their rejection of philosophical and political foundation that has shaped modern Christianity. It's begin to take the shape of a major battle, and could end up to be one of the major turning points within Christian history.
Having said all of this, I want to go back to the growing number of disgruntled Christians that I see around me. And, when I journey through the blogosphere and podosphere (new word!) there are many out there who are sorting through their own faith struggles, having given up on the Christian church as an institution and religion. Here's a small list of some blogs and podcasts that I've come across recently (in no particular order). This is not necessarily to recommend them or to even agree with their positions, but these are worth investigating, even if just to hear the voices of those who want to follow Jesus but feel alienated and even angry by the religious system that bears his name:
- Out of Fellowship
- Outchurched
- Bad Christian
- Stupid Church People
- They will know us by our T-Shirts
- Two World Collision
Technorati Tags : religion, Christianity, endreligion
Thursday, October 13, 2005
The struggle with religion in the Early Church
Occasionally I will attempt to tackle some of the foundational philosophical and theological issues concerning Jesus and the End of Religion in a more formal manner. Previously I have posted on "Religion and the division of reality" and "The Struggle with religion in the Hebrew Scriptures".
The first century church interpreted religion and spirituality in the light of Jesus, and from their roots in Hebrew Scripture.
It was their conviction in the resurrection that gave them the freedom and boldness to live as followers of Jesus. In tandem with this was the realization that God was now present with them in the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:32-33). From this foundation they began to express this new world order in very practical ways (Acts 2:42-46).
Rejecting their religion (i.e. Judaism), while liberating for them, was not viewed favorably by the religious establishment that wanted to maintain status quo. The early Jesus-followers began to experience persecution (Acts 6:8-8:1), which led to them fleeing their home base in Jerusalem. As they came in contact with people outside of their religious comfort-zone (i.e. Gentiles) they experienced the tension between the new reality that Jesus brought them and the constraints of their former religion. They had difficulty living out the full implication of Jesus' "Good News", as they had trouble giving up their Jewish practices and accepting Gentiles into the new movement without imposing Jewish religious practices on them (Galatians, Acts 15:1-21).
It was Paul, a former Jew who persecuted Christians, that helped propel the message of Jesus to the Greek, Gentile world. Paul also focused on the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:14, 17), but articulated the anti-religious message of Jesus: Christ is the end of the Law (i.e. religion) (Romans 10:4) and now brings us freedom to live our lives apart from religion (Galatians 5), and the presence of God (i.e. the Holy Spirit) (Galatians 5:18, 2 Corinthians 3:12-18). The Law was considered as having been a temporary necessity leading up to Christ (Galatians 3:19, 23-25). We now live by faith (Romans 1:17), apart from the Law (Romans 3:28, Colossians 2:8-23), in a new way of living before God (i.e. justification). In fact, God is on the side of the ungodly (Romans 5:6-8).
Despite the challenges of incorporating non-Jews into this Jesus movement, the Good News was translated from a Jewish worldview to a Greek worldview (e.g. Acts 17:16-34, Colossians, John, etc.) in order to deal with pertinent philosophical and theological questions (e.g. gnosticism). It was demonstrated that Jesus' message is universal.
Gradually, a new "Christian religion" developed and became entrenched as the expected physical return of Jesus did not occur and persecutions increased (i.e. Timothy, Titus, 2 Peter). The conversion of the Emperor Constantine, and the Edict of Milan completed the evolution from movement to religion. For now the struggle with religion was mostly over. Religion had once again won.
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
If God were to die tonight ...
Here's a provocative post (going back to August) at Grace Unzipped that challenges the religious nature of Christianity. Here's an excerpt:
If God were to die tonight, do you think most Christians would even notice? Or do you think the church world would be business as usual? Would there be any obvious difference in their gatherings, or would they continue with their rituals without noticing? Would their worship change, or will the entertainment that churches offer disguise God’s absence? Would people notice God's silence in their prayers, or would they keep on ‘hearing’ God because they make up much this dialogue themselves?
Would their wealth and “benevolence” find new outlets, or will preachers keep extorting money with false doctrines? Would they reconsider their hostility towards homosexuals, or would they simply find alternative rhetoric to defend their homophobia? Would they rethink their dogmatic political allegiances, or would they remain pawns of the same ideological con artists? Would anybody know if nobody told them? Or would the whole machine grind on, with the people in the pew, the preacher in the pulpit, and the special offering for the building fund?
I question, because I think Christianity mostly have faith in their credenda's, and not in the reality and faith of Christ. Strip away the theology and doctrines, and the whole contraption implode like a cheap Lego set. Take away their bibles and the letter, and they would have no idea how to express the reality of Christ to others. I look at Christianity, and it makes as much (or little) difference in the world as any other religion. They promote the same separation theology than most other religions.
Technorati Tags : religion, Christianity, endreligion
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
The End of Religion book
I was interested to learn that Bruxy Cavey of The Meeting House church in the Toronto area has written a book by the title, The End of Religion: An Introduction to the Subversive Spirituality of Jesus.
Cavey and The Meeting House have long been a proponent of the conviction that the message of Jesus is not about religion. But, this is more than just words. As a guiding principle, they truly work to practice this in all that they do. Back in June I posted a brief report on my personal visit to the church.
The End of Religion book (great title, eh?) is, unfortunately, available only from The Meeting House through a special web-site: www.theendofreligion.org. I'm placing my order today!
Monday, October 03, 2005
Evil
"Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from a religious conviction."
- Blaise Pascal
