Honors section question for Sept. 13
While the United States is by many measures the most religious (or at least the most church-going) nation in the developed world and religious arguments are more prominent in our politics than ever before, the country also faces an apparent crisis of religious literacy. Simply put, Americans seem to think of the United States as a Christian nation, but even many professing Christians lack a basic understanding of Christian theology and history, let alone those of other religions around the world. A historical question is coming, but for now look at the articles linked above and decide for yourself whether lack of "religious literacy" is as serious a problem as the scholars quoted seem to think.
Then we can conduct a little test of your own religious literacy. The online readings "Spiritual Milk for Boston Babes" and "Lord I Am Vile" (along with the excerpt from Patriarcha) are intended to give you a basic understanding of the religious tenets held by 17th-century English Christians, which they felt should structure society and government as well as religious belief. What is "original sin" and what political & social implications did it have?
UPDATE: I realized this morning that I already answered the final question in lecture. I hate it when that happens! So try this one: do "original sin" and the doctrine of innate depravity have any relevance for modern Christianity and/or our modern "Christian" nation? Should they?
Then we can conduct a little test of your own religious literacy. The online readings "Spiritual Milk for Boston Babes" and "Lord I Am Vile" (along with the excerpt from Patriarcha) are intended to give you a basic understanding of the religious tenets held by 17th-century English Christians, which they felt should structure society and government as well as religious belief. What is "original sin" and what political & social implications did it have?
UPDATE: I realized this morning that I already answered the final question in lecture. I hate it when that happens! So try this one: do "original sin" and the doctrine of innate depravity have any relevance for modern Christianity and/or our modern "Christian" nation? Should they?
posted by Jeff Pasley at 8:33 PM
9 Comments:
I would have to disagree with America as a Christian nation. As a Christian man, I have come across countless people, claiming to be Christians. Yet what I have come to realize is, many Americans call themselves Chritians, simply because they feel that they are in the majority if they do. Most of these "belivers" attended church only on special days such as Easter and Christmas, and lack a true understanding of Jesus and the Bible. This shows the problem of religious literacy. For example, compared to many Muslims countries, Americans know little about world religions. I have met muslims who know more about the Bible than 5 of my friends combined. We as a nation are truely ignorant not only to our religions, but to the world's as well.
America is a nation founded on priciples of the Bible, yet we have fallen away from these. People are calling for seperation of church and state. In 2002, a statue of the Ten Commandments was taken out because it was felt it was unconstitutional. We are no longer a Christian nation, not even a religous one in general.
I don’t believe original sin or the doctrine of innate depravity has any relevance for modern Christianity because I believe the teachings of Christianity in and of itself have changed. I believe the way Christianity is taught and its ideals have changed, making it affect our country in positive ways. As a Christian, I personally don’t believe that all people are born evil and that original sin should affect family life, forcing the kids to apologize for their sin and treat them as Gods. I think Christianity and its ideals can be used to better our country and our morals. However, the lack of real Christians in our so called “Christian Nation” is evident, making Christianity insignificant.
I believe that today in contemporary America, original sin plays no role in the thoughts and minds of religious people. America has shifted from a Christian-based society to a society of claim-to-be Christians who only practice their faith on Easter and Christmas. Today, parents never view their children as condemned sinners, but rather good-natured people. I believe Christians of the early modern European era had a twisted view on the roles of women and children, and their constant abuse and neglect serve as evidence. Fortunately, ideas of original sin and the doctrine of innate depravity are no longer apparent in contemporary America
I very much agree with Adam. Many people in America claim to be true Christians, yet very few would be able to name the books in the Bible (I know I can't). To me, calling America a "Christian Nation" is very much a facade. It is also a title ignorant of the plethora of other religions found in America, which help make America the diverse melting pot of cultures it is today.
As a Catholic, I know my religion believes in original sin. I was baptized as an infant, as is traditional in the Catholic church. From there, I took 8 years of religious studies, "CCD" or "PSR" to prepare me for confirmation. Being baptized as an infant and integrated into the church at age 14, as stems from the Catholic belief in original sin, actually weakened my faith. Belief in original sin still very much exists in America, but I see it as based primarily in tradition than necessity.
I know that this isn’t the question, but PERSONALLY I think that humans are innately good creatures…not depraved. I think that there is a lot of conflict in modern America between the media/Hollywood and our modern “Christian” nation. I think my grandmother would say that the values being shown by Hollywood are not supportive of American Christian society.
It seems to me that original sin is not applicable to the way that Christianity is being “marketed” to the youth these days. Most new congregations seem to preach more of a rebirth style of Christianity.
It’s difficult to say if original sin and the doctrine of innate depravity should apply to modern Christianity because I have my own personal feelings on the topic… Because of the diversity in our nation, I don’t think that these concepts should apply to our nation. The beauty of American democracy is our ability to believe what we choose.
In addition, I think that America may have the most Christian people, but that doesn’t make us a “Christian” nation. To me, a Christian nation would be a nation that exemplifies the values of Christianity in the way it conducts its politics or the way the average citizen acts. I think that many people today who call themselves “Christian,” do so for peace of mind or a sense of belonging.
The fact that a nation claims itself to be "Christian" but lacks the basic knowledge necessary for genuine adherence to Christian beliefs raises an important question. Why would a nation want to identify itself with a certain religion if they don’t hold those religious convictions? I think there answer is that as a nation we like to believe in the comforting myth that there is some sort of divine sanctioning of our actions. From the time of manifest destiny (it was the white man’s burden to spread Christian beliefs and ideals via conquest to the pacific) to the cold war (fought against the godless communists) to our present war on terror (protecting Christianity from militant Islam) we have always been on the right side because we had god on our side. These instances help illustrate the fact that many people (not all people of course) identify themselves as Christian only when convenient (such as when asked on a survey), but not act Christian when it is an inconvenience to them (such as taking the time to learn basic “bible literacy” or actually go to church). This becomes problematic when the simple assurance that something is "the Christian thing to do" it enough to replace an objective analysis about whether the action that our nation is taking is acutally the right thing to do.
I very much agree with the idea that the Christians in America are not "real Christians". I also do not believe those people who call themselves Christian, and some others, do not believe in original sin. Take for example a mother and child in modern times. A mother does not believe her son/daughter can do wrong. They believe their child is their "little angel". I keep thinking of those mother's in school who cannnot accept their child did something wrong, and complain the teachers were misunderstanding.
I also do not believe America should be considered a Christian nation, even if thats what most of us are (or claim to be). I believe this because America was supposed to be a place of religious tolerence. We promote that everyone has the right to practice how they want. With other religions on the rise in America, I think it is unfair to label our country as something we are not.
America today is a Christian nation in name only. That illusion is maintained by politicians who, coincidentally, recieve funds from wealthy, conservative Christian groups. In reality, the United States is a country ruled by the will of its people, the majority of whom are not devout, traditional Christians. To these people, the thought of humans being naturally evil is preposterous, especially in the face of contrary research. As the concept of original sin has little grip over the voters, the doctrine has a neligible influence over the modern United States.
I'm going to argue the second part of Dr. Pasley's question. The concept of original sin and innate depravity should not have any relevance to our modern nation. I believe that America is Christian the same way that it is now white, male and middle-class -- that is to say not at all. America's "majority" is no longer the majority. As such, questions about such ridiculous concepts as original sin are not pertinent to ANY conversations. I agree that America is not religiously literate. I was raised in a "hard-core" Christian family. I am well-read in the Bible and up to date on many theological arguments. Everyone in America should be, if only for the implication it might have in your life. However, as a nation we should not be speaking of dogma as applicable to the entire nation. The minority in America, who most people see as the "majority, will always be close-minded and resistant to change. This will only increase their fanaticism and the conservative backlash that has taken over the nation since the 80's. When progression is sacrificed for some one person's safety there is a major problem. Our country will not move any closer to being whole as long as topics such as these remain in the public sphere. Keep your home at home as decent people should.
Post a Comment
<< Home