For many years I was involved with groups analyzing the attitudes and behaviors of members of traditional denominations in the Christian church in an era of change. Not surprisingly, over half of those surveyed were very resistant to modifying anything about their belief system, rituals, or buildings. Even something as simple as changing the color of the carpet in the sanctuary could be met with fierce resistance. Engaging in thoughtful deconstruction of the Bible was viewed as a threat to the very foundation of their belief, rather than an enlightened approach to understanding scripture better and creating a more enlightened and more inclusive society. Using more informal forms of worship or more modern music were viewed as an attempt to destroy the fabric of the faith.
We see the same phenomenon currently in the rise of intolerant dogmatic evangelical belief systems. Their values and attitudes have little to do with the higher ideals of Christianity but a great deal to do with an attempt to preserve a social structure which benefits primarily a white hetero normative minority. They are attractive because they give a sense of stability in the midst of the chaos of change in the information age.
You have identified a paradox. A transcendent belief system may well be the antidote for the feeling of insecurity caused by rapid change. It is clearly better than a mere political system, driven by self interest and greed. But not all belief systems are created equal. This is very evident in the culture wars currently raging in this country. Religion may be needed, but the religion has to reflect the higher ideals of humanity and not the distorted caricature it has become. Too many attempt to use it as a hammer to control the pace and direction of change and the lives of others. Such malignant belief systems actually create greater insecurity.
The solution is easy in theory. Let’s focus on the highest ideals of humanity—love, compassion, forgiveness, acceptance without judgment, and all the rest. I say this is easy in theory, but difficult in implementation. Too many do not embrace these ideals. Rather, they try to ignore the change or claim the change is actually destroying the fabric of society. They don’t understand that they are attempting to preserve a way of life which is doomed to extinction. Until they do, religion may be as much a force for conflict, fear and uncertainty within society as a source of stability and comfort. That’s the paradox. Which will we embrace as the world changes ever more rapidly?
Will religion become a source of comfort and the glue which allows us all to embrace and enjoy a better, more enlightened future amid a sea of rapid change? Or will it be a source of destruction, divisiveness and depression, which will return us to a modern dark age?
