Comments on: Beyond beliefs http://blogs.ssrc.org/tif/2008/09/05/beyond-beliefs/ Secularism, religion, and the public sphere Fri, 12 Mar 2010 21:27:55 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Blaine Myers http://blogs.ssrc.org/tif/2008/09/05/beyond-beliefs/comment-page-1/#comment-6370 Blaine Myers Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:54:55 +0000 http://blogs.ssrc.org/tif/?p=346#comment-6370 Here's a basis for the mapping in my words: If you don't believe you need a savior, you won't be in the evangelical camp. There has to be good news in order for people to want to spread it. The defining premise of explicit Christianity is that in order to qualify for heaven, we absolutely depend on Jesus having died for us, taking the punishment for our sins. That is an inherently divisive belief. Yet, there is a way it can be inclusive also. At present I think some Muslims, Buddhists, or totally unchurched people can be implicitly Christian, if they do by nature the things of the law, that is, their decisions show they believe in the real God. They may not realize who has saved them until they wake up in heaven. But I think they will tend to get along with those of other faiths while here. Here’s a basis for the mapping in my words: If you don’t believe you need a savior, you won’t be in the evangelical camp. There has to be good news in order for people to want to spread it. The defining premise of explicit Christianity is that in order to qualify for heaven, we absolutely depend on Jesus having died for us, taking the punishment for our sins. That is an inherently divisive belief. Yet, there is a way it can be inclusive also. At present I think some Muslims, Buddhists, or totally unchurched people can be implicitly Christian, if they do by nature the things of the law, that is, their decisions show they believe in the real God. They may not realize who has saved them until they wake up in heaven. But I think they will tend to get along with those of other faiths while here.

]]> By: Ben Gibbs http://blogs.ssrc.org/tif/2008/09/05/beyond-beliefs/comment-page-1/#comment-4549 Ben Gibbs Sun, 07 Sep 2008 23:15:47 +0000 http://blogs.ssrc.org/tif/?p=346#comment-4549 Very interesting read, thanks for your insight. For me, an example of a link between the religious beliefs of evangelical groups and their social mapping is in the conversion experience. In my own personal experience, I have observed that those who "convert" to an evangelical church are not only changing their religious beliefs, but also gaining entry to a specific social community, which often means adherence to certain behavioral norms. Very interesting read, thanks for your insight.

For me, an example of a link between the religious beliefs of evangelical groups and their social mapping is in the conversion experience. In my own personal experience, I have observed that those who “convert” to an evangelical church are not only changing their religious beliefs, but also gaining entry to a specific social community, which often means adherence to certain behavioral norms.

]]> By: Pamela Oliver http://blogs.ssrc.org/tif/2008/09/05/beyond-beliefs/comment-page-1/#comment-4543 Pamela Oliver Fri, 05 Sep 2008 17:57:43 +0000 http://blogs.ssrc.org/tif/?p=346#comment-4543 I'm on the liberal, not evangelical, end of Christianity, but I have a story that I think is consistent with what you are saying. An evangelical minister and his wife came to visit our liberal Christian church with the goal of building bridges. I need to stress that they were reaching out to us in full good will, genuinely trying to connect with us on our home turf. When members of our liberal group complained about evangelical relatives, saying that they were not really Christian and would go to hell, the minister kept insisting that of course we were Christian and all Christians should unite in fellowship. As the conversation evolved, some people started talking about the need to unite as "people of faith," and not exclude non-Christians, saying that God is present in other religions. At this point, the minister's wife said: "But if you believe that, you can't be Christian." Bingo, said our liberal group. There's the problem. You're willing to draw a circle with us inside it, but not if we insist on drawing a circle that includes others. I’m on the liberal, not evangelical, end of Christianity, but I have a story that I think is consistent with what you are saying. An evangelical minister and his wife came to visit our liberal Christian church with the goal of building bridges. I need to stress that they were reaching out to us in full good will, genuinely trying to connect with us on our home turf. When members of our liberal group complained about evangelical relatives, saying that they were not really Christian and would go to hell, the minister kept insisting that of course we were Christian and all Christians should unite in fellowship. As the conversation evolved, some people started talking about the need to unite as “people of faith,” and not exclude non-Christians, saying that God is present in other religions. At this point, the minister’s wife said: “But if you believe that, you can’t be Christian.” Bingo, said our liberal group. There’s the problem. You’re willing to draw a circle with us inside it, but not if we insist on drawing a circle that includes others.

]]>