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 | "We are in a transition between a new consciousness and old definitions. The new consciousness will win but as with every human struggle to emerge from ignorance, there will be casualties long after the issue is decided." Retired Episcopal bishop John Shelby Spong speaking about same-sex marriage. 1 |
| "The hope of civilization itself hangs on the defeat of Negro suffrage." A statement by a prominent 19th-century southern Presbyterian pastor, cited by Rev. Jack Rogers, former moderator of the Presbyterian Church (USA). |
| "On each of these issues, at one point the church had near unanimity of opinion and then, over time and painfully, changed its mind to almost the exact opposite view." Jack Rogers. referring to human slavery, restricting permissible roles for women, and restricting homosexual rights. 2 |
| "...ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." From Jude 1:3: Christian Scriptures, King James Version. |
| "If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them." Leviticus 20:13, Hebrew Scriptures, King James Version. |
| "It is grounded in the old Jewish understanding that women are less worthy than men. For a man to have sex with another man 'as with a woman' insults the other man, because women are to be treated as property." Rev. Jill. Nelson, pastor of the Sunshine Cathedral Metropolitan Community Church, commenting on Leviticus 20:13: 3 |
Establishing and changing religious beliefs:
We consider this the most important section of our web site. That is why so many internal hyperlinks lead here.
Using Christianity as an example, essays in this section describe how denominations and individuals decide what to believe, and how they have changed those beliefs over time.
| Concerning beliefs: About 75% of North American
identify themselves as Christians. But Christianity
is composed of tens of thousands of faith groups worldwide. They generally agree
on what the Bible says; they cannot agree on what the Bible means. They also
cannot agree on what portions of the Bible teach truths that are valid for one
culture and/or one era, and which parts teach universal truths that are valid for
all societies for all time. Many faith groups do share certain cardinal theological doctrines. However, they still teach a wide diversity of beliefs on matters related to race, gender, human sexuality and other topics. Each group is sincerely confident that they know the will of God, that they are following the true meaning of the Bible, and that other faith groups must be in error. |
| Concerning change: Most religions do not readily accept change. Many faith groups only alter their beliefs after great agony, internal conflict, and even schism and violence. Sometimes it takes centuries to complete the process. |
If the general public realized how extensive these religious changes -- and even reversals of teachings --have been over the centuries, they might reach a different understanding of current religiously controversial topics. They might anticipate future changes. They may be able to adapt more easily to changes as they unfold. They may be able to educate their children in such a way that they will be able to function more effectively in the future.
How Christianity has changed in the past:
In early 2007, The Rev'd Elizabeth Kaeton of the Episcopal Church of St. Paul's in Chatham, NJ wrote an open letter to her fellow Anglicans. She was motivated by the gradually unfolding schism within the worldwide Anglican Communion over whether to include or exclude persons with a homosexual orientation as members with full privileges. Part of her letter notes the progress that the Christian church has made in the past in many areas. She chose three examples:
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We can look at these three conflicts and be somewhat amused at how church leaders were so out of touch from reality in the distant past. We often lose sight of how harmful this gap between reality and church teaching was to the churches' victims at the time. It is even more difficult to see where present-day gaps are creating and injuring victims today.
Personal obligations regarding change:
One of the most important themes in Christian writings -- both canonical and extra-canonical -- is the Golden Rule. Some examples:
| "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets." Matthew 7:12, King James Version. |
| "And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise." Luke 6:31, King James Version. |
| "...and don't do what you hate...", Gospel of Thomas 6. The Gospel of Thomas is one of about 40 gospels that were widely accepted among various groups of early Christians, but which never made it into the Christian Scriptures. |
This commandment to treat other people fairly and decently is called the Ethic of Reciprocity. It is found in all of the major world religions, in secular systems of ethics, and in systems of philosophy.
Applying the Golden Rule is relatively easy when a consensus exists about what comprises fair and decent treatment of other people. But, too often, Christianity and other religions are divided over how to properly treat women and other minorities.
WARNING: The remainder of this essay contains personal opinions.
The author of this essay suggests that it everyone has an obligation to study carefully all viewpoints about the treatment of women and minorities. We should thoughtfully and prayerfully determine which is the honorable and decent path forward. As Elizabeth Kaeton wrote above on the shape of the earth, the causes of mental illness, and left handedness, religious groups have often taken the wrong path. Their batting average when applying biblical principles to everyday life has been abysmal. We may have to make the difficult decision to reject our own denomination's teachings in favor of a higher standard of morality. Our honor may even require us to actively advocate for change within our religious and political institutions.
Elizabeth Kaeton suggests how Christians should respond to the current controversy over lesbian/gay/bisexual/transsexual (LGBT) rights. She appears to have determined on the basis of her personal experiences and the findings of human sexuality researchers that the historical position of the Anglican Communion on LGBT rights has been wrong. Other sincere, devout, intelligent Christians may reach the opposite conclusion. Either way, her final point below seems to be a valid one. As appliers and promoters of the Golden Rule, Christians need to be very certain that the traditional policies of their denominations are being correct before continuing to accept them. Since the Golden Rule is present in all world religions and non-religious ethical systems, we all have an obligation to be certain that we are promoting the correct position.
Kaeton writes:
"As we have learned from the evils of slavery, racism, sexism and the ignorance which once taught that the world is flat, people who have seizure disorders are possessed of demons and left handed people are the scribes of Satan: when the dignity of any human being is compromised or insulted, a mortal wound is created in the Body of Christ." |
About this section of the web site:
Essays in this section discusses how religions changed -- and are changing. The concentrate on three specific topics:
| Slavery: A topic that has been settled, although the negative repercussions of that institution will be with us for generations to come. |
| The status of women: A topic that has been largely settled, except in such areas as the Armed Forces and some religious institutions that discriminate on the basis of gender for some leadership positions. |
| Equal rights for homosexuals, including the right to marry. This topic has surfaced fairly recently and is still the subject of active debate. |
The processes of change in these three topics are amazingly similar.
We have narrowed the focus of this section to:
| Christianity mainly because almost 75% of North American adults identify with this religion, and because most non-Christians in the U.S. and Canada have at least some familiarity with the religion. Much of the information applies also to Judaism, Islam, and to other religions active in North America. |
| These three topics because they are arguably the most important changes in North American society over the past two centuries. |
References used:
The following information sources were used to prepare and update the above menu. The hyperlinks are not necessarily still active today.
- "Bishop Spong Q & A on Origins of Homosexuality," 2006-MAY-31 weekly newsletter. You can subscribe at: http://secure.agoramedia.com/
- Jack Rogers, "Jesus, the Bible, and homosexuality: Explode the myths, heal the church," Westminister John Knox Press, (2006), Page 17. Read reviews or order this book safely from Amazon.com online book store
- Fred Tasker, "What does the Bible say about homosexuality?" Philadelphia Inquirer, 1997-JUL-13.
- John Shelby Spong, "A second look at the first of the five fundamentals: The inerrant Bible," A New Christianity for a New World subscription service, 2006-APR-04.
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Home > "Hot" religious topics > Homosexuality > Religion > Religious change > here |
Copyright © 2006 & 2007 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Originally posted: 2006-MAY-29
Enlarged: 2007-APR-05
Latest update: 2007-APR-05
Author: B.A. Robinson
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