Finding a way forward
Faith in the Public Square
Lompoc Record
November 4, 2007
If you listen to critics such as Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens, it would seem that the only kind of faith one should expect to find on earth is one that's narrow-minded, unintelligent, and dangerous. Now, there may be a degree of truth to the observation - there is indeed much narrowness, anti-intellectualism and proneness toward violence among the world's religions, including my own. These observations and critiques aren't new or unique, they're just a bit more uncompromising and even hostile.
But there are signs out there that many people are interested in more open-minded and positive religious expressions. These can be progressive or liberal, but they don't have to be. It's not so much the content as it is the attitude that's important.
I find a way forward in this statement from the Phoenix Affirmations. Speaking as a Christian, I hear the call to love our neighbors by “walking humbly with God, acknowledging our own shortcomings while honestly seeking to understand and call forth the best in others, including those who consider us their enemies.” If we would do just this one thing, the world would indeed be a better place.
Dr. Bob Cornwall is pastor of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Lompoc (www.lompocdisciples.org). He blogs at http://pastorbobcornwall.blogspot.com and may be contacted at lompocdisciples@impulse.net or c/o First Christian Church, P.O. Box 1056, Lompoc, CA 93438.
November 4, 2007
Lompoc Record
November 4, 2007
Jesus' parable of the “Widow and the Unjust Judge” ends with the question, “When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” (Luke 18:8 NRSV). I think there's a follow up question that could be asked: “What kind of faith would he find on earth when he returns?”
If you listen to critics such as Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens, it would seem that the only kind of faith one should expect to find on earth is one that's narrow-minded, unintelligent, and dangerous. Now, there may be a degree of truth to the observation - there is indeed much narrowness, anti-intellectualism and proneness toward violence among the world's religions, including my own. These observations and critiques aren't new or unique, they're just a bit more uncompromising and even hostile.
Perhaps it's because I don't see myself in these hostile critiques of religion offered by the so-called “New Atheists,” but I do think there is something in between no religion and narrow/violent religion. In fact, the vast majority of religious people aren't prone to violence, even if many are very conservative in their thinking. The “New Atheists” often accuse moderate and liberal religionists of providing intellectual cover for narrow fundamentalism, but I would disagree (obviously). It's simply that this voice hasn't gotten much press of late - indeed the press seems to prefer the extremes to a more reasoned and centrist position.
But there are signs out there that many people are interested in more open-minded and positive religious expressions. These can be progressive or liberal, but they don't have to be. It's not so much the content as it is the attitude that's important.
I've been reading a most interesting book by a fairly liberal pastor named Eric Elnes. It's called “Asphalt Jesus” (Jossey Bass, 2007), and it tells the story of his journey across the country in the company of five other walkers, along with some support personnel. This small group of progressive Christians walked from Phoenix to Washington, DC, bearing witness to the principles set down in the Phoenix Affirmations. The Affirmations is a brief statement of progressive Christian principles that embrace openness to God's presence in other traditions, affirms the equality of all people no matter their race, ethnicity, gender, age, or sexual orientation, and calls Christians to a life of prayer and service. Along their journey - on foot - they encountered, often in unexpected places, people of faith who were full of warmth, inquisitiveness, and welcome. They also experienced rejection and hostility - more often from fellow Christians than from non-Christians. Elnes writes of his surprise at finding so many people open to conversation, people seeking to hear alternative voices. What they discovered is that you don't have to agree with each other to love each other.
As I read the book I resonated with his descriptions of people seeking a positive and compassionate spirituality, a Christianity that was committed to making the world a better place to live in. My sense is that there are lots of people, many of whom may feel disconnected from institutionalized religion, who are spiritually hungry and looking for a safe home, a place where they can share their doubts, questions, and concerns. They want a faith that's committed to public service, but they're tired of polarizing and politicized forms of religion. Indeed, they want an experience with God that will make a difference in their lives and in the lives of their children and their grandchildren. They may feel like they're alone, and yet as Eric Elnes discovered, there are many others who feel exactly the same way. Some are conservative, others are liberal. Many are somewhere in between. Now the time has come for those of us who are committed to a new way of being faithful to speak up.
I find a way forward in this statement from the Phoenix Affirmations. Speaking as a Christian, I hear the call to love our neighbors by “walking humbly with God, acknowledging our own shortcomings while honestly seeking to understand and call forth the best in others, including those who consider us their enemies.” If we would do just this one thing, the world would indeed be a better place.
Dr. Bob Cornwall is pastor of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Lompoc (www.lompocdisciples.org). He blogs at http://pastorbobcornwall.blogspot.com and may be contacted at lompocdisciples@impulse.net or c/o First Christian Church, P.O. Box 1056, Lompoc, CA 93438.
November 4, 2007
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