Rambling
It was suggested in a comment on my last post that ministers/pastors do not get respect anymore and are actually scorned. That is true but not universal. Protestant ministers or men of the 'cloth' were very respected in American society until the early part of the last century when what is called 'human secularism' began to take hold. Until then, what the Bible had to say was more important than what 'society' had to say. Now, ministers are respected within the 'fold' but perhaps not out of the fold. Media scrutiny and the likes of Baaker, Swaggart, et. al. didn't help either. Errant ministers, unlike Catholic priests, are not protected by their denomination. In fact, just the reverse is true. They are thrown to the wolves with glee.
Back to the issue, used to be, when someone committed a crime, he was held accountable no matter what ghetto he was born in, whether he was born addicted to drugs, had a crack whore for a mother and a rapist for a father. An 'eye for an eye' was the standard. To 'fundamentalists,' it still is. To those who are considered to be 'far right' religiously, it still is the standard or is the standard they wish things returned to eventually. There doesn't seem to be middle ground anymore, that is, concern for the 'truth' but also for the social conditions. It seems to be 'either or.'
When social change or 'diversity' or political correctness became more important than scripture in the government's view, changes began in religious circles too. People began to take 'sides' or make choices about who and how they worshipped, and the dust hasn't settled yet.
Today, we have fundamentalists who believe every word literally in the Bible. On the other end of the spectrum we have the 'what I want is what is right' crowd. Anything goes and no one wants their sins pointed out or judgements made. Hell? What hell, they say.
In the great divide that is the middle, we have the 'I'll make it up as I go along' group. This is the most 'dangerous' of the three. In this group, they choose the scripture they will obey. They might ignore all those which say how husbands and wives should behave toward each other but 'obey' those on parenting. They may go to church once in a while or not at all or make their own church or worship a rock, a frog or an idea. They may or may not do good works when it pleases or does not please them. They might drink and take drugs in the dark but tell their children this is wrong. They either worship 'a' god or 'the' god' or a 'creator' or a 'higher power' or a combination of them or a combination of them and pagan or magical creatures, and it's all supposed to be OK.
One of the reasons 'real' ministers and men like the Pope were popular was because of sticking to the 'truth' as the good book told it. Not many believe in absolute truth anymore. A long time ago it seems, Menninger wrote a book called 'Whatever happened to sin?' Whatever did happen to sin?
As for respect, I think ministers are now viewed just like any 'occupation,' not a 'calling,' at least in the secular world. I don't mind that. It's not the world's approval I seek anyway. I just want to hear at judgement, 'well done, faithful servant' from the Lord. That will be enough for me.
Back to the issue, used to be, when someone committed a crime, he was held accountable no matter what ghetto he was born in, whether he was born addicted to drugs, had a crack whore for a mother and a rapist for a father. An 'eye for an eye' was the standard. To 'fundamentalists,' it still is. To those who are considered to be 'far right' religiously, it still is the standard or is the standard they wish things returned to eventually. There doesn't seem to be middle ground anymore, that is, concern for the 'truth' but also for the social conditions. It seems to be 'either or.'
When social change or 'diversity' or political correctness became more important than scripture in the government's view, changes began in religious circles too. People began to take 'sides' or make choices about who and how they worshipped, and the dust hasn't settled yet.
Today, we have fundamentalists who believe every word literally in the Bible. On the other end of the spectrum we have the 'what I want is what is right' crowd. Anything goes and no one wants their sins pointed out or judgements made. Hell? What hell, they say.
In the great divide that is the middle, we have the 'I'll make it up as I go along' group. This is the most 'dangerous' of the three. In this group, they choose the scripture they will obey. They might ignore all those which say how husbands and wives should behave toward each other but 'obey' those on parenting. They may go to church once in a while or not at all or make their own church or worship a rock, a frog or an idea. They may or may not do good works when it pleases or does not please them. They might drink and take drugs in the dark but tell their children this is wrong. They either worship 'a' god or 'the' god' or a 'creator' or a 'higher power' or a combination of them or a combination of them and pagan or magical creatures, and it's all supposed to be OK.
One of the reasons 'real' ministers and men like the Pope were popular was because of sticking to the 'truth' as the good book told it. Not many believe in absolute truth anymore. A long time ago it seems, Menninger wrote a book called 'Whatever happened to sin?' Whatever did happen to sin?
As for respect, I think ministers are now viewed just like any 'occupation,' not a 'calling,' at least in the secular world. I don't mind that. It's not the world's approval I seek anyway. I just want to hear at judgement, 'well done, faithful servant' from the Lord. That will be enough for me.
posted by Johnny at
9:41 AM
8 Comments:
What do you mean by dangerous? And where are you in this range of beliefs?
Ron
By
Anonymous, at 10:44 AM
By dangerous, I mean not conducive to a family way of life which I believe is the cornerstone of society, the traditional family, a husband, a wife, kids.
I am right of center, quite conservative or fundamentalist. I do, however, support caring for the poor, disadvantaged, disabled, etc. I believe mitigating circumstances should be considered when punishment is given but I also think we must be accountable for our own actions. I believe in the scriptural way of life for Christians and that we should not make it up as we go along.
By
Johnny, at 3:12 PM
I'm not so sure it's lack of respect for the minister as much as for the 'church' in that there are hundreds of denominations or sects. It thus appears someone doesn't know what they are doing or there is so much discord among the brethren that it couldn't possibly be Jesus' message. Everyone thinks they are right but no one is?
Ewan
By
Anonymous, at 11:49 AM
They are all right on the 'basics' but don't agree on the little points, and that's a shame for you are correct... it just looks bad all around. Good to 'see' you again and hope you're keeping Charles in line, if that's even possible.
By
Anonymous, at 3:03 PM
The only thing one can do with Charles is stand back and watch the 'shock and awe.' lol
By
Anonymous, at 12:04 AM
I think you are right and it has much to do with secularis(z)ation which I think.. if I recall correctly that was something the pope warned the western world about, that and capitalism.
In the last say 30 years people in the western world seem to be disatisfied with conventional explanations, feelings of displacement and alienation, people want an awnswer.
These days there is such an eclectic array to choose from, and I don't know how things will improve, or even if they ever will John.
Di
By
Anonymous, at 3:29 AM
I think you are right and it has much to do with secularis(z)ation which I think.. if I recall correctly that was something the pope warned the western world about, that and capitalism.
In the last say 30 years people in the western world seem to be disatisfied with conventional explanations, feelings of displacement and alienation, people want an awnswer.
These days there is such an eclectic array to choose from, and I don't know how things will improve, or even if they ever will John.
Di
By
Anonymous, at 3:29 AM
'shock and awe' arn't you a bit of a character lol.
Di
By
Anonymous, at 3:36 AM
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