I have been having a discussion about the Secularization of America Here. (I know—I have been working on a blog entry. This has been more entertaining.)
Question: Do you think Christianity is being suppressed in the marketplace of ideas in America?
I have been arguing that Christianity seems to be prolific in America—in the election process (Rick Warren; Sarah Palin), in the airwaves, and in the general populace. My friend, Ten Minas Ministries, seems to think Christians are being hindered from expressing their beliefs.
What do you think?
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I think authoritarian followers like to feel persecuted as it gives them a "reasonable" excuse to punish people that aren't in their group. Hence all the talk about militant atheists, the gay agenda, eco-terrorists, the liberal media, etc.
ReplyDeleteNot a lot to do with Christianity per se. However, religions are highly susceptible to being taken over by authoritarian wackos.
"Do you think Christianity is being suppressed in the marketplace of ideas in America?" (Dagoods)
ReplyDeleteOne word - no. It's a democratic system - and if the idea is good people will flow with it. If it is not good - then people tend to ignore it. I am not sure Christianity in America does not get it's 15 seconds of air-time on many issues. Maybe the populous doesn't bite that's all.
Do you think Christianity is being suppressed in the marketplace of ideas in America?
ReplyDeleteIn a sense, yes, and rightly so.
To the extent that Christianity entails enacting certain civil laws supported by the majority of people but that are prohibited by the Constitution, then we must say that Christianity is being suppressed.
The right to an abortion is an obvious example: Even if a simply majority of people were to oppose abortion, it would still remain legal, protected by the Constitution and the authoritative decision of the Supreme Court. If there were a majority, it would be suppressed in some sense.
Likewise the religious demand that they, and only they, be exempt from common, universal ethical and legal standards constitutes suppression. (If they wanted everyone to be exempt, they would simply argue for changing the standard, not for permitting religious exemptions.) In just the same sense, a person who argues that he should be exempt from common, universal ethical and legal standards about property would be imprisoned as a thief. (Imprisonment certainly sounds like suppression to me.)
Ditto societyvs, I had similar thoughts, right along with the question of whether or nor the populous bites (MIght be a good time for Dagoods to revisit his prognostications regarding the recent Ben Stein movie). I was tempted to just say "no" but am resisting temptation. :)
ReplyDeleteI would add: which form of "Christianity." SInce we seem to be going there, in the political arena Dagoods notes pentecostal Palin who's God is opposed to abortion... but apparently Obama's God is not. Remember all the discussions we've had about how hard it is to find a non theist politician?
I think Christianity is alive and well in the American marketplace, just look at the vast varieties of Christianity. To name another, since eric mentions, there are lots of "gay Christians" out there.
Isn't it funny how we almost automatically fell into the bias that fundamental, evangelical Christianity is "Christianity."
Jesus Christ is alive and well. I don't think Christianity is being suppressed at all in America. Claiming to be a victim of suppression is anathema to the Christian message anyway.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Christianity is being suppressed at all in America.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I've been sick lately. I'll try to improve.
hey DaGoods,
ReplyDeletei'll follow this here blog as well! i don't think Christianity is being surpressed and as a progressive Christian sometimes i wish it would be ;-)