This week in class we talked a lot about different types of religious organizations. First we talked about this in terms of Christian polities. Episcopal polity means the church or churches are led by bishops. (Lecture) Presbyterian polity means the churches are led by older members, particularly men. (Lecture) Congregational polity means the churches are led by the congregation. (Lecture) Finally, Charismatic polity is where a group of people are brought together by a particular person who leads them. (Lecture) These types of organizations are specific to Christianity. (Lecture) Judaism, Islam, and other major religions are arranged differently. (Lecture) Another way we looked at types of Christian organizations was based on our reading of McGuire’s book. In this case, four types of religious orientation were presented. (McGuire, Pg. 156-158) Churchly orientation means that the Christian group feels a responsibility to help society, but they believe their beliefs and ways are the only way. (McGuire, Pg. 156-158) Denominational orientation means that the group feels responsibility to society and they believe other religions have value and legitimacy. (McGuire, Pg. 156-158) Their way isn’t the only way. Sectarian orientation means the group is in tension with society and they believe their way is the only way. (McGuire, Pg. 156-158) These group are often outsiders in society and often just stick to themselves. (McGuire, Pg. 156-158) Finally, Cultic orientation means the group is in tension with society, but they are accepting of other religions and believe they have value. (McGuire, Pg. 156-158) These groups will just sometimes stick to themselves too. (McGuire, Pg. 156-158) In the end, these are all valid ways of separating Christian denominations into different types of groups. One is not better than the other; although some may have more negative reputations. These systems just help make identifying and studying these groups easier to do.
American Civil Religion
Countries and societies themselves can create a religion for its people. Civil religion is important because it shows that unity can be found amount the differentiated. According to Hammond, civil religion is “any set of beliefs and rituals, related to the past, present, and/or future of a people which are understood in some transcendental fashion.” Civil religion influences the people. Civil religion eclipses all ethnic and religious boundaries. In America, there are many civil ceremonies that mimic a religious quality such as the Fourth of July. There are also sacred places for Americans to make a “pilgrimages” to such as the Capitol building or war memorials. There are also sacred objects that many Americans “worship” such as the American flag. Many people have tried to ban burning a flag in political protest, showing that it is believed sacred because it should not be defiled. American civil religion also has its saints and myths. American saints would be Lincoln, Washington, or Theodore Roosevelt. American saints can also be anyone that society has looked up to such as Davy Crockett or MacArthur. There are stories of the American dream of land, social mobility and achievement. These stories influence people to carry themselves in a certain way and influence people to treat others in specific ways as well. American civil religion is a powerful force that drives the way people act. American civil religion is a nonofficial religion that effects the American people everyday and they may not even notice it.
Immigration “Ban” and its ties to religion
The terminology of the immigration ban has been up for discussion, as Donald Trump stated on Wednesday morning, “Everybody is arguing whether or not it is a BAN. Call it what you want, it is about keeping bad people (with bad intentions) out of country!” Yet on a Tweet on Monday, he called it a “ban” when referring to it. “If the ban were announced with a one week notice, the “bad” would rush into our country during that week. A lot of bad “dudes” out there!”
That takes away from the focus of what the executive order actually did and what it means. The more actively religious individuals in the US tends to be more politically and socially conservative than non-active religious individuals (Chaves, pg. 94), yet some of many critics of the ban came from Christian leaders, stating in a letter with eight Christian leaders’ signatures, “Their lives matter to God, and they matter to us.”
While I believe Chaves’ observation has truth behind it, I’m curious as to wonder how much that will change over the next 4 years.
A New Bishop, With the Style of a Parish Priest, for Rockville Centere
On Tuesday, January 31st, Bishop Barres replaced Bishop William Murphy as the head of the Diocese of Rockville Centre in New York. Johnny Milano for The New York Times writes an article on the two figures of the church, giving readers an insight into who these men are and the ceremony that followed this change in leadership. Describing the two men in somewhat dissimilar ways, it is clear that a new way of thinking will come along with Bishop Barres’s installation as the head of the Diocese. Describing Bishop William Murphy as “a gregarious and outspoken man, is a doctrinal conservative who was not shy about wading into culture wars and politics. Before the 2016 presidential election, for example, he wrote a letter to be read aloud in all Sunday Masses that said support for abortion “should disqualify any and every such candidate from receiving our vote.” On the other hand, Bishop Barres has a rather differing personality than that of Bishop Murphy, Milano describes him as “…a different style. Naturally shy, he was described by his former flock in the Diocese of Allentown in Pennsylvania, where he had been bishop since 2009, as low-key, warm and personable. At the same time, he leans traditional in his Roman Catholic outlook. He is focused, he said in an interview, on what he calls the eternal truths of the church and has a deep personal practice of prayer.” While reading this portion of the article, I was greatly reminded of the shift we spoke of in class of the Catholic Church, starting as a “churchly orientation” and shifting overtime towards a “denominational orientation”. I see a sort of connection with the shift in the Catholic Church’s typology and the shift from Bishop Murphy to Barres.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/31/nyregion/bishop-john-o-barres-diocese-rockville-centre.html
Gorsuch Nominated to Take Seat of Late Justice Scalia
As the presence of religion in politics remains relevant in today’s America, hot button issues such as abortion are still hotly debated by many religious right activists. In chapter 8 Chaves writes on the polarization of political parties in response to more extreme religious ideologies felt by the Republican party. The polarization and the presence of the religious right remains extremely relevant today, especially with decades old issues still being fought over. With the knowledge that these issues will continue to be fought over, the Supreme Court seat left vacant by the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, and whomever fills that seat will have great influence over whether conservative Republican party will stand strong with their power in a Drumpf society. It has been announced that Drumpf nominated Neil M. Gorsuch as his pick to fill the late Scalia’s seat. In David G. Savage’s piece, In Mold of Scalia, His Hero for the L.A. Times, he states, “The conservative jurist is best known for upholding religious liberty rights in the legal battles over Obamacare.”. Knowing his stances on protecting religious freedoms in the past gives us insight to his priorites, such as The Little Sisters of the Poor v. Burwell, a case that granted The Little Sisters their religious liberty in abstaining from providing birth control as according the Obamacare regulations, makes . It will be interesting to see how his reputation for protecting religious freedoms and liberties unfold, especially considering the restrictions brought against Muslims from Drumpf’s newly employed Muslim ban. Will Gorsuch stand by his reputation of protecting religious freedoms, or does that only occur when offenses against his own faith or present?
Religious Leaders Respond to Trump’s Immigration Orders
President Trump has signed executive orders for building a wall on our Southern border, and later this week plans to issue an executive order that will dramatically restrict refugees from entering the country who come from countries Trump deems “high-risk”. The article quotes religious leaders such as Catholic Sister Simone Bell, Reverend Canon E. Mark Stevenson, Robert Bank (CEO of Jewish World Service) and many others who all agree that the President’s actions do not correspond with the values of America as a country, or the values of faith that many religious people of America hold. Bank acknowledges a historical time in which America was indifferent to helping Jewish refugees during World War Two, and regrets that “President Trump does not understand this lesson from the darkest chapters in world history”. Some of Trump’s religious advisers respond that the Bible does not command that everyone who wants to enter a country may do so, and that this is not a biblical issue. It is interesting how faith can be used as a political argument when it is convenient, and is dismissed when it is not. The Bible does not directly say “let refugees into your country”, but it does say to love and care for those in need. I reflect on the fact that this country is roughly 70% Christian, and find that not letting refugees into the country would not be in alignment with the teachings of Jesus Christ. Once again, religion and politics make for a very interesting combination.
Some of the U.S.’s most important Catholic leaders are condemning Trump’s travel ban
Although Trump won the majority of Catholic votes, he is facing strong opposition from Catholic leaders around the country who are condemning his executive order against refugees. Many Catholic leaders are opposed to Trump’s actions because for many it directly goes against what the Bible teaches about helping those in need and welcoming others rather than turning them away. Many leaders also made statements reminding the public that there was once a time where Catholics faced discrimination and hostility because of their religion. As a result, the Catholic Church has had a long history of helping refugees settle in the United States. Eighty three Catholic dioceses out of 196 in the country are involved in resettling refugees in some way.
Pope Francis has even made a statement in which he says “It’s hypocrisy to call yourself a Christian and chase away a refugee or someone seeking help, someone who is hungry or thirsty, toss out someone who is in need of my help.” In his book, “American Religion”, Chaves reports that the number of people with a great deal of confidence in religious leaders has declined to under 25 percent. My hope is that more religious leaders in the country as well as globally will begin to speak out more against Trump’s orders because it could unite Catholic conservatives with Catholic liberals. It could give religious leaders more influence in a positive way to create social change.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2017/01/30/some-of-the-u-s-s-most-important-catholic-leaders-are-condemning-trumps-travel-ban/?utm_term=.58d2561e24cc
For 100 days and counting, a Thai king is mourned
After 70 years as king of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej passed away in October of 2016. Many Thai- U.S citizens recount the late king as a man of the people, for he reset precedents that had separated the monarchs of Thailand from the people. Before Bhumibol Adulyadej kings were distant figures, the average person wasn’t even allowed to make eye contact with the king. After 7 decades as king and 30 prime ministers Bhumibol Adulyadej amassed a legacy based on his willingness to relate to people by kneeling down to speak with them on his adventures through the land.
Since his passing many people of Thai descent here in the United States have expressed great pain and shock spanning generations. Thousands of Thai Americans gathered at Buddhist temples across the United States to observe the 100th day since the kings passing there many people recounted their memories of the late king and his legacy, and dedicating themselves to preserving his memory.
The unity among the Thai Buddhist community in this time of morning is symbolic of the brief history Thai- Buddhist people have in the United States. Whereas Protestantism and Catholicism both have long standing history across this land the Thai- Buddhist community has yet to be diluted by American culture.
Social Tension with “Extreme Vetting”
The past week has been quite stressful for refugees of the Middle East as Trump’s ban on their entrance to the United States has come to light. His executive order put a 120 day ban on any refugee to seek entrance to the U. S as a way to give priority to Christians in the Middle East and Africa who have seen a lot of persecution within the Middle East over the past few years. This has put a damper on relations between Muslims and Christians as the ban has become more of a religious and cultural discrimination rather than political prosperity. Thinking about class discussions on religious status based on tensions with society, I believe that this ban has begun to put Islam on the high spectrum of tension as they are viewing the U.S as un-open to them physical as far as a place of refuge, but also as a place of discrimination against the beliefs and customs of Muslims, but also the association that Americans have given Muslims. Christians on the other hand, have most likely seen a decrease in social tension as they are being seen as more accepted and have begun to take priority within society.
Trump ban: ‘Everyone matters to God,’ religious groups say
One of the hot topics in news recently has been Donald Trumps travel ban from seven countries within the Middle East. Whether this ban is targeting Muslims or not is up for debate, but there has been a serious outcry from many secular and religious organizations protesting this ban. This article has two polarizing opinions; one being that Christian religious organizations do not want to accept Muslim refugees from Syria, as they find them a threat to Western society. The second opinion being that other Christian organizations are opening their doors the Muslim, Christian and other minority religious refugees within Syria and surrounding areas . Often, the Christian organizations that are refusing to accept Muslim, Syrian refugees are denouncing Islam all together. This article made me think of McGuire’s typology of religion. For example, the Christian faiths that tend to be more conservative would have “tension with society” and only see “one way” of religion. While this may be an exaggeration, as there may be other instances where these groups consider themselves “responsible for society”, in this case they are not taking responsibility for all people involved. On the other hand, the Christian organizations that are welcoming all refugees regardless of faith would be seen in the “responsible for society” category and “many ways” of religion. A phenomenon like this is also seen in chapter seven of Chavez, when he mentions the main “fault line that runs between religion is the divide between liberals and conservatives” (Chavez 82). Although both of the opposing sides in this debate are Christian, it is interesting to see the various political and humanitarian views that preside in one religion.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38819813