The Dictatorship of relativism

[mindlight]

I am not a Catholic but I find the new pope fascinating and a real answer to prayer.

The new pope Benedict XVI has mentioned the threat of the secular relativistic cultures of modern Europe and North America to Christian identity and witness. Declining numbers in Europe may have to do with a culture in which the ruling ideology can be summarised as: 'any position will do so long as it is not imposed on any body else and is never considered objective. Dialogue is fine but do not preach it as if you know for certain what you are talking about is true'. Has the balance between tolerance, freedom and truth saying become distorted in the West today?

This papacy, it is suggested, will focus on strengthening the distinctiveness of Christian identity and stress the objectivity of the Truth to whom we witness. This may mean a leaner but fitter church - a "creative minority" -which will be a better but also more disturbing witness and challenge to the surrounding culture.

1) Is the pope right to focus on the rot of relativism in Western culture?

2) How can Christians witness to objective truth in a culture which will increasingly fine them for religious harrassment or incitement to religious hatred if they share the gospel as it is? Will Western governments use the threat of terrorism by Radical Muslims to strengthen laws prohibiting freedom of speech for Christians also e.g. on homosexual marriage, abortion etc

3) How will relations with Islam be effected by the reaffirmation of Europes Christian roots and the strengthening of the Christian identity of its churches. Need this relationship be confrontational?

 

[Robbie_James_Francis]

I am not a Catholic but I find the new pope fascinating and a real answer to prayer.

Indeed.

1) Is the pope right to focus on the rot of relativism in Western culture?

I don't think His Holiness is focusing solely on this issue...but I do think that HH is right to make it one of his focuses.

2) How can Christians witness to objective truth in a culture which will increasingly fine them for religious harrassment or incitement to religious hatred if they share the gospel as it is?

I do not think this is an entirely accurate depiction of the culture, but I do see your point. The primary way of witsnessing to Christ is always to live a holy life and to do good. As Saint Francis of Asissi said, "Preach the Gospel at all times. If you must, use words."

We must always act lovingly and speak the Gospel lovingly. If there is true love and compassion in our words, then we have little reason to fear that the law will try to censor us. Even if they do, then we must suffer with Christ and remain meek and humble as He did. He told us that we would be persecuted and we should meet persecution with great joy and thanksgiving, offering our suffering up to God and knowing that He suffers with us.

Will Western governments use the threat of terrorism by Radical Muslims to strengthen laws prohibiting freedom of speech for Christians also e.g. on homosexual marriage, abortion etc

I do not think so. But if they do then we should thank God and rejoice.

3) How will relations with Islam be effected by the reaffirmation of Europes Christian roots and the strengthening of the Christian identity of its churches.

I think that a "Christian" relationship with "Islam" is too simple a way of putting things. It's a very good question, but I cannot see that there is such a broad asnswer available. I think it may well be met with some hostility, but I hope that many Muslims will be able to have some gladness that Christians are re-affirming their identity. Even if they see Christianity as the lesser of two evils when compared with secularism.

Having said that, there is something of an obstacle in that some Muslims may feel unable to be glad about this. This would be due to the fact that they consider Islam to be the only way of life that is perfect and pleasing to Allah. They do not thinkm, as far as I can tell, that there are many ways to God or that God has instituted more than one perfected religion.

As Christians we face a similar difficulty. This is not necessarily a bad thing. We believe that there is but one God and (I may only speak for myself on this one) but one absolute Divine Law that issues forth from the one God. We believe that there is only one Way to God, and that is Jesus the Messiah. Therefore religious pluralism can be seen to create something of a difficulty. Not everyone will submit to the one Faith and Way that leads to God, that He has instituted and revealed. Where is the balance between obeying Divine Law, evangelising and allowing freedom?

Need this relationship be confrontational?

I'm not sure. That's a very good and difficult question, as well as a very important one. In that there are fundamental differences between the two faiths, yes. There is and always will be confrontation between Christianity and Islam. But in the sense that I think you mean, of there being a direct and obvious clash and battle between the two as opposed to peaceful co-existence, I am not sure. I would lean towards saying that this must be confrontational, but I'm really not sure.

 

[mindlight]

The primary way of witsnessing to Christ is always to live a holy life and to do good. As Saint Francis of Asissi said, "Preach the Gospel at all times. If you must, use words."

We must always act lovingly and speak the Gospel lovingly. If there is true love and compassion in our words, then we have little reason to fear that the law will try to censor us. Even if they do, then we must suffer with Christ and remain meek and humble as He did. He told us that we would be persecuted and we should meet persecution with great joy and thanksgiving, offering our suffering up to God and knowing that He suffers with us.

I have been a victim of this culture already in terms of career choices e.g. I refused to teach a relativistic RE curriculum when teaching in a British school and had to leave teaching. Also in the work environment when an ex boss sued me for religious harrassment. She had told me that she wanted a child. The comment she found offensive from me was when I suggested she get married first and after a long dialogue suggested that my reason for believing this the right thing to do was a religious one. She sued me but the case was thrown out. But it got me thinking why is there a law on this at all. It can only be misused by those who have it in for religious types.

But I like your answer actions can speak louder on occasions. And when we share verbally , if we suffer the consequences then so be it, let it be for Christ!

I think that a "Christian" relationship with "Islam" is too simple a way of putting things. It's a very good question, but I cannot see that there is such a broad asnswer available. I think it may well be met with some hostility, but I hope that many Muslims will be able to have some gladness that Christians are re-affirming their identity. Even if they see Christianity as the lesser of two evils when compared with secularism.

Having said that, there is something of an obstacle in that some Muslims may feel unable to be glad about this. This would be due to the fact that they consider Islam to be the only way of life that is perfect and pleasing to Allah. They do not thinkm, as far as I can tell, that there are many ways to God or that God has instituted more than one perfected religion.

As Christians we face a similar difficulty. This is not necessarily a bad thing. We believe that there is but one God and (I may only speak for myself on this one) but one absolute Divine Law that issues forth from the one God. We believe that there is only one Way to God, and that is Jesus the Messiah. Therefore religious pluralism can be seen to create something of a difficulty. Not everyone will submit to the one Faith and Way that leads to God, that He has instituted and revealed. Where is the balance between obeying Divine Law, evangelising and allowing freedom?

I have Muslim friends with whom I play football and I have lived with Muslims and done studies of the Quran with them also. We can love them as people and yet be respected for having distinctive beliefs. They know I think that they are in error and they think that I am in error cause I am not a Muslim. We coexist and in some ways are closer in putting God first than we are too a secular culture that ignores God or relativises his revealed word.

I'm not sure. That's a very good and difficult question, as well as a very important one. In that there are fundamental differences between the two faiths, yes. There is and always will be confrontation between Christianity and Islam. But in the sense that I think you mean, of there being a direct and obvious clash and battle between the two as opposed to peaceful co-existence, I am not sure. I would lean towards saying that this must be confrontational, but I'm really not sure.

British Muslims can be friends who one day find the courage to ask the difficult questions. Muslims in the Middle East can find the Christian message on the Internet , on the radio and in the martyrdoms of Christians who live there. But it is an unfortunate fact that no Muslim territory has been lost to islam without first removing the political authorities by military force.

 

[Robbie_James_Francis]

I have been a victim of this culture already in terms of career choices e.g. I refused to teach a relativistic RE curriculum when teaching in a British school and had to leave teaching. Also in the work environment when an ex boss sued me for religious harrassment.

I'm very sorry to hear that on both counts. Do you still teach RE now?

I have Muslim friends with whom I play football and I have lived with Muslims and done studies of the Quran with them also. We can love them as people and yet be respected for having distinctive beliefs. They know I think that they are in error and they think that I am in error cause I am not a Muslim. We coexist and in some ways are closer in putting God first than we are too a secular culture that ignores God or relativises his revealed word.

I agree with you, that religious people, and in this case particularly those who are members of Abrahamic faiths, can have a fraternity that exists between them. This is exactly why I am not sure about the last question...when I have discussed religion with a Muslim, we have actually shared a great deal of respect and interest. We have also had a greeter franternity as we have a lot in common.

 

[billwald]

Some NAZIs were nice people. Some Commies were nice people. Some Muslims are nice people.

 

[Robbie_James_Francis]

Some NAZIs were nice people. Some Commies were nice people. Some Muslims are nice people.

I do not think it is fair to compare Islam to those ideologies. There are, of course, things that are wrong about Islam. Marxism and Nazism are fundamentally anti-religion. Islam, at least, has the virtue of being a religion focused on worshipping the One True God.

 

[rstrahan]

Given that Pope John Paul II had signed onto a "universal" church statement where ALL ways were equal in salvation; that is, Islam and Christianity were both equal and acceptable ways to God, until the new Pope revokes this stand, I will remain skeptical.

 

[Voegelin]

Could you provide exactly what John Paul II said?

 

[billwald]

Insecure people can't permit other people to hold wrong ideas because it threatens them. A relativistic philosophy can't consign other people to Hell.