Saturday, August 13, 2011

Still accurate after all these years (3).

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1 comment:

John Manzo said...

I've been pondering about responding to this and finally decided to do so.

I've listened to Maher's statments on religion (or lack thereof) as well as Hitchens. They always do the same thing. They utilize quotes and statements from fundamentalists and make a sweeping condemnation of people of faith based on the statements of fundamentalists.

Fundamentalism is the opposite of faith. People often presume doubt is the opposite, but it's really the certainty that comes from fundamentalism. Fundamentalism is often called or perceived as 'Conservative Christianity,' and, frankly, there is nothing conservative about it. People who are fundamentalists reject most of church history, worship God in ways that are not found in the history of Christian worship, and interpret the Bible in a way that is totally inconsistent with the way Christianity (or Judaism) has interpreted the Bible. Most are literalists in what they want to be literalists in and ignore the rest.

As a result of fundamentalism people of faith have been seen as crazed, irrational, judgmental, and cruel. Churches are seen as places where people are belittled and taught to be ignorant.

The two clerics interviewed in this video are John Shelby Spong, an Episcopal Bishop who is very much the antithesis of a fundamentalist. Whether one likes Spong or not, the whole interview should have been shown. He would have demonstrated himself to be compassionate and loving. I've met the man and knew of his ministry in New Jersey where he was controversial but beloved.

The other cleric is Richard Williamson who is a fundamentalist Catholic bishop who was part of the Pius X Society and rejected all the reforms of the Second Vatican Council. Shamefully the current Pope lifted the excommunication ban on this vicious fool.

Fundamentalists are easy targets to discredit people of faith. Many of us exist as kind and rational human beings. Here are some questions focusing on the opposite viewpoint of things. It is easy to attempt to discredit people of faith, but what about looking at this from other perspectives:

Who in the area provides shelters for the homeless who are not people of faith?

What secular Soup Kitchens are available in town?

What secular food pantries are available in town?

What secular places provide free clothing to people in need?

Which businesses in town do people call when utilities are looking to turn their power off?

How many places and people in town have provided a kind ear or counseling for people in need of help that were not faith based?

When their are tragedies in town and people die, who cares for the survivors and attempt to bring a sense of purpose and hope to people's lives?

Fundamentalism does not represent most people of faith. People of faith impact society in so many really good ways. This needs to be said as this is still accurate after all these years as well.

1:58 PM

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