"I dissent from having my faith co-opted and wielded by people whose politics I do not share and whose intolerance I abhor. The word Christian belongs to no political party. It's time the quiet majority of believers took it back." Andrew Sullivan
Andrew Sullivan writes in Time/CNN telling us "not to turn our back on faith but to instill it with the humility that it demands and that all the great religious figures have exemplified". He clarifies for us what we have seen happen in 2006. The recent US political election rebuke to the Bush Administration's "Fundamentalist Protestantism" culture, the Pope's attempt to bridge with Muslims after coming under attack, and the splintering of the Muslim religion dogmas have really all gone without real notice and are actually quite stunning. Even in Canada, we have seen Harper's Fundamentalist faction essentially getting lip service from their very own Conservative party leaders and being moved to the back of the bus (if not off the bus).
As Sullivan describes it: "In 2006, there was an unmistakable pause, a moment of self-examination, even the hint of a great humbling" [of religious theocracy]. The world according to religion has taken a much-needed step back. Religion has been trying to control state far too much and it's way past time that they take a step back. It needs to end. Now.
Another great read of Sullivan on North American Christian fundamentalism is also very relevant to all of us. These pertinent and thought-provoking ideas can be found in his earlier essay in May where he quotes others who say "that Christianity should not get too close to the corrupting allure of government power." His concerns call for us to "construct something called the religious left" which he says should be opposed to any politicization of the Gospels by any political organization.
If the religious left is about separating chuch and state, then I'm a convert. At this special time of year (to quote Sullivan): '"My kingdom is not of this world," Jesus insisted. What part of that do we not understand?'....
Andrew Sullivan writes in Time/CNN telling us "not to turn our back on faith but to instill it with the humility that it demands and that all the great religious figures have exemplified". He clarifies for us what we have seen happen in 2006. The recent US political election rebuke to the Bush Administration's "Fundamentalist Protestantism" culture, the Pope's attempt to bridge with Muslims after coming under attack, and the splintering of the Muslim religion dogmas have really all gone without real notice and are actually quite stunning. Even in Canada, we have seen Harper's Fundamentalist faction essentially getting lip service from their very own Conservative party leaders and being moved to the back of the bus (if not off the bus).
ReplyDeleteAs Sullivan describes it: "In 2006, there was an unmistakable pause, a moment of self-examination, even the hint of a great humbling" [of religious theocracy]. The world according to religion has taken a much-needed step back. Religion has been trying to control state far too much and it's way past time that they take a step back. It needs to end. Now.
Another great read of Sullivan on North American Christian fundamentalism is also very relevant to all of us. These pertinent and thought-provoking ideas can be found in his earlier essay in May where he quotes others who say "that Christianity should not get too close to the corrupting allure of government power." His concerns call for us to "construct something called the religious left" which he says should be opposed to any politicization of the Gospels by any political organization.
If the religious left is about separating chuch and state, then I'm a convert. At this special time of year (to quote Sullivan): '"My kingdom is not of this world," Jesus insisted. What part of that do we