Can Christianity be reformed in such a way that it becomes more accepting of other beliefs and practices? I realize that there are liberal Christian churches, but how can Christianity be reformed if the conservative branches keep growing so much more quickly?
2006-08-30 18:50:16 · 11 answers · asked by esperantisto 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I'd like to point out that this question is not whether or not a reformed Christianity is still Christianity, as some of those who have responded seem to have assumed.
2006-08-30 19:15:06 · update #1
Xtianity, like all religions and belief systems, evolves over time. It is highly influenced by the local culture. For instance, in much of the world xtianity is centered around god, but here in the US it is centered around Jesus.
Conservative branches tend to grow quickly because of their charismatic nature. They offer an almost cult-like sense of community, which appeals to many people who may be feeling isolated in our individualist, atomized society. As such, the growth of one segment of a religion may well be determined by societal factors. In parts of the world where the family unit is very strong, for example, those religions & denominations that fare the best are those that emphasize family traditions and bonding.
The culture of the US tends to be, for the most part, very tolerant of other beliefs (even if some individuals within the population aren't). This has allowed for perhaps the greatest diversity of religious beliefs to be found in any country on Earth. Indeed, few other countries take freedom of religious belief as seriously as we do here.
There are indeed branches of xtianity that are tolerant and accepting of others. The Unitarian Universalists are perhaps the most tolerant xtian denomination, freely welcoming (without trying to convert) gays, buddhists, etc.
The thing is, though, that a lot of people want certainty in their beliefs. They want (even if not on a conscious level) a religion that reflects their own values and preferences for how the world _should_ be. They want confirmation of their beliefs and values, and what better way than the authority of the church?
As such, most religions (except perhaps for Unitarian Universalists and Buddhists) are inherently exclusionary in nature. Most religions' idea of tolerance is that they will gladly accept anyone into their ranks, just so long as that person adopts their beliefs. (This is the same type of "acceptance" that the Borg on Star Trek show to others.) Most everyone at some level believes their own religion to be the Only True Religion, and all others to be either in error or even evil. Tolerance and acceptance of other belief systems is regarded as a compromise, a move halfway towards error or evil. And who wants that?
2006-08-30 19:24:02 · answer #1 · answered by R[̲̅ə̲̅٨̲̅٥̲̅٦̲̅]ution 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it has been reformed throughout the ages. Some people tried to reform to get closer to truth (going back to the original version)while some people reformed to suit themselves to apostise from the truth (because truth is like a sword for their iniquities). However the truth can be lost and restored, not reformed.
2006-08-31 02:24:17 · answer #2 · answered by Sailormoon 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why do you find it necessary to have others accept everyone else's belief systems? This is USA, land of the free, ya know. If I want to be a Christian fundamentalist, what's it to you? It's not like I'm out there telling you to change your beliefs, whatever they may be.
2006-08-31 01:58:09 · answer #3 · answered by adrift feline 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The only way people will reform is if they want to reform. If they want to be more conservative, then they will be.
2006-08-31 01:53:47 · answer #4 · answered by Joe 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Religion willchange, as it has always changed. At one time there was only one church, now there are a thousand. The ultra concervative is in mode now, vut it won't last log. It will implode in on itself soon.
2006-08-31 01:59:51 · answer #5 · answered by October 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes of course, ex: Martin Luter
2006-08-31 02:12:08 · answer #6 · answered by nustrodomus 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there is a book called 'the four agreements' and just like the the bible it starts off with LIGHT,like all other good books do,but this book might help you find more spiritualism within your self.
only this one can be read overnight..........lol
2006-08-31 02:06:29 · answer #7 · answered by that_guy69 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The gospel of Jesus Christ has never changed. If any other gospel is preached other than Christ and Him crucified, it is false!
2006-08-31 02:08:04 · answer #8 · answered by Not perfect, just forgiven 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The truth doesn't change. If it did, it would no longer be the truth.
2006-08-31 01:53:11 · answer #9 · answered by anabasisx 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you can't force some on to change
2006-08-31 02:07:04 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋