Some people say I am not a real Christian because I respect the thoughts of other religions and atheists as equal to my own even in my sermons. Many come to our church and are disappointed not to hear the sense of Christian entitlement and the typical jargon which typifies much of what is called “faith.” But, as a Christian, I feel a duty to secularity.
Secularity was not born in this nation from a loss of faith. It was born out of the respect that one faith had for another. It was born of the realization that for my religion to be safe from other religions, they must also be safe from mine.
In my understanding of Christianity, “secularity” means obeying Christ’s command to love my neighbor. At the very least “love” means having the respect to allow my neighbor to see the world differently, and to live differently than I.
“Secularity” does not mean that we cannot bring our religion and values to the table, it just means that all voices must be equally audible, and not even one may be muffled. When people are afraid to be religious or irreligious in front of one another, I do not call that the “secular” but the “profane.”
Every religion has a duty to trim its sails out of respect for the other vessels that share the waters. For me, that is easy. I do not call myself “religious” because I belong to a particular sect, or believe a particular creed. I call myself “religious” because reverence is the fundamental fact of my life
Pastor Jim, how does this concept work in conjuction with your sermon a few weeks ago that asked us to challenge other people’s beliefs when they are hurtful to others? You said that often we attempt to respect the opinions of the oppressor and the oppressed, and call that being an understanding person, when really we are supporting the oppressor. Is the difference in the above posting, that we can respect the religion (or lack of one) a person has, but still challenge them when aspects of their belief become intolerant?
Bridget,
Thank your for raising that question. There probably isn’t a clear here, line but if I’m understanding you, I think we’re on the same page. I don’t like a bigoted opinion, but that’s not as bad as a bigoted law. I believe in free speech, but there is a line where speech crosses over into harrassment and threat. Secularity means that our religious opinions do not cross over into the public sphere and become laws just because a religious group has the votes to cram them down someone’s throats. Secularity is protecting others’ inalienable rights from another religion’s beliefs.
But you may have a bigger insight than I’m grasping yet. Can you say more?
Jim
Sounds like a good sermon. I’d like to see a post about that.
I had a fraternity brother who once remarked with far more wisdom than he realized or understood “it’s all a question of ceramics” meaning of course semantics! The unintended use of the term “ceramics” however is the basis for this accidental wisdom. We are are pieces of the puzzel we call human society and when someone or some thing like religion tries to force a particular configuration of that puzzel it becomes warped. When one colour tries to dominate it becomes dark and foreboding. But when all the pieces are of equal value and given equal respect the configuration becomes a living and evolving dynamic.
Someday religion as a tool of the oppressor and or as the banner of racism and bigotry will have to disappear if this marvelous puzzel is to survive. Faith however is an all together different and it will survive the disappearance of political religion.
I have a simple test, indeed Jesus tells us to “test the spirits” to observe the “fruits”, and the test is this: whatever is loving, whatever is wholesome, whatever is healthy, whatever is mutually respectful and helpful, whatever is inclusive and embracing this you honour and welcome, if it is not you oppose and if need be confront and fight. It matters not the ceramics or the semantics it matters only the love it conveys. God will take care of the rest because Jesus is a VERB not a Noun!
Thank you so much Bishop. I see why people like you so much.
Hi Jim,
I think the best way to explain my question is with an example. Several members of my extended family have voiced their homophobic views in the past and at the time I didn’t challenge them. Or at my school where I teach, I’ve questioned whether or not to include same sex couples in my teaching of families. I used to allow myself the ability to not speak up against my family’s beliefs (or my school’s) because I thought it was being respectful of their beliefs. Even now, I believe that I should try to understand a person’s reason for thinking something, especially if I don’t agree with it, so I can have a more fruitful discussion. Your sermon a few weeks ago called my silence into question by making me believe that remaining silent when my family made ignorant or hateful remarks was not being respectful; it was allowing that sort of non-loving ideology to be in the world. Then, I read the above post where you talk about being respectful of all beliefs, and I was wondering how best to respect someone’s beliefs but at the same time challenge those beliefs that are hurtful to others.
Bridget,
I think you have said it perfectly. It’s sometimes called “speaking the truth in love.” When a bias becomes cultural, the people in power assume a right to mistreat others. It hurts their feelings to have that priviledge pointed out, but it is the most loving gift for all concerned. I have no doubt that you will give that gift as lovingly as possible. But be prepared. Everyone gangs up on whoever steps out of the disfunction first.
Jim