HiddenMysteries: Churches should leave the public alone

There is no redeeming value to be found in Christianity for it turns one half of them into liars and the other half into hypocrites.

By Amy Korst

In a recent Opus comic strip, everybody’s favorite penguin politico was conversing with Binkley about a trend the cartoon called “surprising:” “atheist books are suddenly bestsellers.”

This is indeed the case. Number seven on The New York Times Best Seller List is Christopher Hitchens’ God Is Not Great. Also selling well are Richard Dawkins’ The God Delusion, Daniel Dennett’s Breaking the Spell and Sam Harris’s The End of Faith.

Opus attributes this trend to a simple matter: “I’m not crazy about the idea of the maker of the universe knowing my most embarrassing secrets,” he says, even as the stars above him spell out “tinkles in tub.”

While I agree with Opus that I’d rather my personal failures not become publicized, I think the reason more Americans are buying books about atheism (and, presumably, turning away from religion) is because they quite simply cannot find relevance in organized religion anymore.

Frankly, it’s no wonder why.

Just a few weeks ago, The Seattle Times reported that Seattle Episcopalian priest the Rev. Ann Holmes Redding has converted to Islam without denying her status as a Christian. Redding’s explanation of this phenomenon was remarkable in its ability to skirt the issue.

“I am both Muslim and Christian, just like I’m both an American of African descent and a woman. I’m 100 percent both,” she said.

Never mind the fact that Christians worship Jesus’ divinity and Muslims do not. Redding’s dual faith is essentially a religious free-for-all, suggesting that when it comes to religion, anything goes.

Add to that the fact that the Roman Catholic Church has just issued “Guidelines for the Pastoral Care of the Road,” a document outlining 10 recommendations for the Catholic driver to follow. These guidelines include crossing yourself before setting off on a journey, not making rude gestures and avoiding drinking and driving.

Some might see these two cases as instances in which organized religion is reaching out to a crowd of people who live a modern lifestyle. In reality, religion comes off looking absurd and desperate to interact with a 21st-century audience. The fact is that many, many people no longer find it acceptable to be governed by ancient church guidelines.

The number of people engaging in premarital sex, for instance, is astronomical. The Church still maintains that this is a sin leading directly to hell.

So what is organized religion to do? It is certainly not practical to expect churches to leave behind centuries-old doctrines just to attract more followers. Instead, today’s religious organizations would do well to attempt to regain some lost dignity.

Rather than diving head-first into every possible political argument, be it abortion, physician-assisted suicide, gay marriage or others, perhaps churches ought to stand back and let the debate unfold without influencing the fight. Just as governments respect the ever-wise separation of church and state, so should all religions.

Additionally, it is advisable to avoid trying to look “cool” by issuing guidelines for things like driving, which the church has no business being involved in.

Religious leaders would do well to remember, too, that organized religion isn’t for everyone, nor will it ever be. Accept your followers for who they are, and don’t resort to three-ring circus tactics in a recruitment attempt.

http://thedaily.washington.edu/

Churches should leave the public alone

Thursday, July 05 2007 @ 05:03 AM CDT