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Abstract |
The future survival and relevance of both Christianity and other imperialistic mainline religions as we move into the 21st century is doubtful. They are emerging as a primary source of the intolerance, conflict, and violence we are experiencing in the world today. Their claims of "ultimate truth" based on theologies created by ancient superstitious, pre-modern cultures, and their total disregard or rejection of 300 years of modern biblical scholarship and its undeniable dismantling of all conservative claims of scriptural inerrancy, are a deep embarrassment to any reasonably informed 21st century consciousness. A growing number of people are no longer willing to remain silent and suffer the embarrassment they feel when intolerant, conservative and fundamental church members presume to speak for them. The intolerance and lack of compassion that conservatives feel for those they label as subhuman, and their black-and-white unwillingness to embrace modern scientific knowledge and over three hundred years of modern biblical scholarship represent a form of ignorance that a postmodern 21st century consciousness can no longer safely tolerate or accept. |
The conservative child-like, black-and-white primitive ego thinking process that the pre-modern faith beliefs of virtually every mainline religion are built upon, and their imperialistic claims of scriptural and creedal superiority renders them incapable of manifesting a sustained non-judgmental compassion. Such imperialistic claims to religious superiority are the primary cause of conflict and violence in today's world, and threaten the very foundations of our human society; perhaps even our survival as a species.
There is a growing consciousness globally that conservative black-and-white claims of religious scriptural or creedal superiority are simply becoming too dangerous to be ignored or tolerated by the rest of the civilized world. These narcissistic claims of religious superiority make our mainline churches incapable of effectively supporting or ethically guiding humanity in the creation of a nonjudgmental, compassionate global culture.
Stated simply, narcissistic primitive ego dualistic thinking that assumes the "absolute certainty" of one's faith beliefs inevitably creates an environment of intolerance, conflict, and violence, and is therefore the very anthesis of empathy and compassion. The ability to manifest compassion while using the rigidity of black-and-white thinking is not possible; it reflects a fundamental contradiction in terms. Because of these realities, our willingness as a species to tolerate or ignore the high level of conflict and violence currently being created by the religious intolerance of our mainline religions is rapidly fading.
Despite the fact that conservative and evangelical mainline churches represent an alarming lack of intellectual integrity, and a significant level of self-imposed ignorance in their pre-modern faith beliefs, it appears likely that they are going to continue to grow and project their dangerous imperialism and judgmental intolerance into the world for at least another generation; perhaps longer. These conservative churches are growing because they offer their members the balm of absolute certainty to alleviate the primitive ego anxiety than comes from uncertainty and "not knowing."
The conservatives and fundamentalists may represent a small minority of religious people in the world, and the primitive ego thinking and simplistic faith beliefs of their theologies may reflect a
significant lack of intellectual integrity, but at this moment in time, they are currently the primary voices of faith and religion shaping the religious landscape.
For example, a recent poll reported that 83% of Americans believe in the virgin birth and only 29% believe in evolution. The New York Times editorial writer Garry Wills responded to the results of this poll with the question "Can a people that believes more fervently in the Virgin Birth than in evolution still be called an enlightened nation?"
Theologian Robert W. Funk believes that "We will not make significant inroads into the hegemony of fundamentalism and literalism unless or until we break into the dominance of public rhetoric by the Christian right and their political cronies." I would also include the public rhetoric of Islamic fundamentalists.
To summarize, there is little doubt that the need for voluntary, internal theological reform, intellectual integrity, and scriptural literacy in our mainline religions is urgent and critical. It is becoming clear that humanity will be unable to create a viable and compassionate global culture until the immature primitive ego thinking process of childhood currently used in our social, political, and especially our mainline religious institutions, is transformed into the matured observing ego of a more enlightened consciousness.
Dick is currently offering a course titled "A CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY FOR THE 21ST CENTURY" for churches and other groups who want to explore changes that could lead to a more progressive 21st century interpretation of Christian spirituality. The material presented in this course is not designed to "replace" traditional Christianity or to recommend specific changes. It is offered to help Christian spirituality evolve and become a more vital part of the 21st century. If you are interested in more information about this course for your group or church please contact Dick Rauscher or call at 541-516-8717. |
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