No matter how much things have changed through the ages, much remains quite the same. We still live in a time when Christian conservatives would like to legislate their religious beliefs on the rest of us, even though we might not necessarily share their views. These people claim to know God's will -- it's in the Bible, they say. Of course, Muslims think that God's will is found in their holy Koran. And yet, Buddhists and Hindus have their own texts and views.
But some of us believe that God is infinitely unknowable to our limited, and comparatively meager, human minds. God is vast; we are small and meek. Who are we to speak for God, and determine His or Her divine will?
None of this deters those who claim to have divine wisdom, or a window into God's heart and mind. They seem to know God's position on deeply personal and private end-of-life matters, as well as what God thinks about contraception and gay marriage. But to claim knowledge of God's will certainly isn't a humble position. It is bold and brash, perhaps even insolent.
In fact, some Christian conservatives are so assertive in their views, and so convinced of their own righteousness, that they'd like to force the rest of us to adopt their views -- to think like they do. And if we can't, or won't, they'd still like to impose their will -- in the form of laws -- on the rest of us. After all, in their view, those are God's laws. So their religion, by this logic, should dictate the laws for everyone.
In fact, former Republican Senator John Danforth says that Republicans have transformed his party into the political arm of conservative Christians. He cites the recent examples of their efforts to secure a Constitutional amendment against gay marriage, opposing stem cell research (even on frozen embryos that will otherwise be discarded) and their extraordinary efforts to keep Terri Schiavo hooked up to a feeding tube.
Unfortunately, too many conservative Christians claim a special knowledge of God's divine will, and they advance wedge issues to divide the country between them, "the enlightened ones", and us, "the immoral and misguided". That is not Christ-like, and it is not a means to peace, tolerance, or understanding.
While religion can bind some people together, it can also divide those people from others. It can give fervent believers a sense of self-righteousness, of being special or "chosen" -- meaning that they are better and above everyone else. To believe that your way is God's way is to imply that anyone who disagrees with you not only opposes you, but God as well.
Perhaps it's best to focus on being a good person, helping others, and performing good works and acts of charity. Leave the judging to God and, if you must, pray for everyone else.
Copyright © 2006 Sean M. Kennedy. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without the author's consent.
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Comments: 7
You claim that Christians are advancing wedge issues that divide the country. What issues are you talking about and how do YOU know what God's view on them are? You say advancing these issues are not Christ-like but maybe God thinks these issuse are the most important. You say we should leave the judging to God, but your whole article is about your judgement on people you call the Religious Right. Sounds like your trying to advance a wedge between Christians and others.
That said, I, quite humbly, have no idea what God's views are on these or many other matters -- and no one else does either. That's the whole point. Therefore I wouldn't seek to enact laws imposing my views on others. I believe in libertarianism, freedom, and personal choice.
I support the choice to oppose gay marriage, stem cell research and contraception, just as I support the choice to favor them. I simply wouldn't impose my will on anyone else. But the Christian right obviously feels quite comfortable doing so. In fact, they seem to think that they're entitled, and even empowered by God, to do so. That's the difference.
We all impose our views on others every day. We have laws to protect freedom and personal choice but we also have laws that restrict our liberty to protect other individuals and society as a whole. It looks like this is where you disagree with the "Christian right." Please explain to them why you believe they are wrong on each issue instead of accusing them of being confident in their faith. If they are not empowered by God what do you have to lose?
Good article!! I call it radical ideology! It's moving the country (and the world) in a divisive direction. There is becoming less and less tolerance, and when people define the pursecution of others as God's will, it is an impossiblity to overcome. How can you debate with them, they feel that they acting on someone else's (God) plan, therefore they have removed themselves from the equation. That allows no debate, no other view is considered, even as a counterpoint, just a monolithic view. And when you excuse and/or exclude any personal accountability and responsibility for one's actions, then anything can be permissible. And that's a slippery slope! - Robert
johnnie