EPISCOPALIAN PASTIME

Steve Yuhas writes,

There used to be a time when religion meant something–it stood for the conquering of good over evil, the moral over the immoral and provided guidance for people who faced the constant struggle between making good versus bad decisions. Organized religions that survive for any length of time seem to have done so precisely because they made the moral judgments that so many people in a secular situation refuse to make. Billions of people freely associate themselves with a religion–whatever that religion–because it provides a stable and constant in the human experience that is anything but.

Organized religions, mainstream ones not the kooky things that result from 20 people following a guy with a guitar who thinks he is the return of the Messiah, have changed very little over the years. If someone who lived a thousand years ago could be brought back to life– they would not recognize the world they left behind, but by and large they could return to the synagogue, mosque, or church and recognize what was going on in them. What makes religion and faith such an attractive part of our life is the fact that not only is change slow and deliberate, but the basic fundamentals of religion don’t change because the basic tenants or the founding documents and Word of God that formed them are universally accepted.
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Perhaps people choose the tradition and constants of Catholics over the willy nilly feel good nature of the Episcopalians precisely because people like tradition more than they like political correctness. Whatever the case–the question needs to be asked about the point of going to a church that stands for whatever happens to be popular at the moment and who are willing to change their church doctrine in order to increase membership. The latter is a cult–not a religion and the Episcopalians ought to reconsider having a church that doesn’t stand for anything anymore and whose doctrine is based on societal changes rather than the Word of God.

Religions are wonderful things, but having a religion that is devoid of moral clarity is pointless. With football season coming up–Episcopalians would be better served staying home and watching a game on Sunday–the rules have changed less in football than they have in the Episcopal Church.

But, of course, that doesn’t give them much to do the other 30-odd weeks of the year. Plus, as noted this morning, I’m not sure the Catholic Church is much of an alternative.

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James Joyner
About James Joyner
James Joyner is Professor and Department Head of Security Studies at Marine Corps University's Command and Staff College. He's a former Army officer and Desert Storm veteran. Views expressed here are his own. Follow James on Twitter @DrJJoyner.

Comments

  1. You just have to get the larger perspective and quit taking yourself so seriously (for religion is many things, but mostly it is grandeur by association). And remember:

    “Religions change; beer and wine remain.” Hervey Allen (1889-1949)

  2. Paul says:

    This guy pretty well hits it on the head.

    People used to look to their church for guidance. The 60’s taught everyone they knew better than that silly old church that had been arourd for a centuries.

    I’m not sure the Catholic Church is much of an alternative.

    The CHURCH gives a fine alternative…. Too many PEOPLE today think they know better.

  3. Teri Lester says:

    The Washington Dispatch doesn’t appear to have a comment section, so I’ll leave my comment here.

    Religions don’t usually have tenants (renters). Religions have tenets (ideas).