Religion Just Keeps Getting More and More Ecumenical

Interesting statistics garnered via wikipedia: In the United Kingdom, approximately 70% of the population identifies as Christian; however, only about 35% of the population believes that a personal God exists. But this may not be as great an accomplishment as that of the Church of Sweden which manages to discuss its general credo on its English website without once mentioning God (even though the web-designer does quote a bishop who mentions the Holy Spirit briefly.)

Mainline Protestants? Do They Care about All Things Metaphysical?

Warren has some decisions to make, too. He would do well to apologize for comparing gays to pedophiles, and also for comments to Beliefnet deriding mainline Protestants for not caring much "about redemption, the cross, repentance."
- E. J. Dionne

I haven't decided how I feel about Rick Warren yet, but, from what I can tell, he appears to be a perfectly amiable and faithful Christian gentleman. It is the latter part of this sentence that is of most interest to me (". . . deriding mainline Protestants for not caring much 'about redemption, the cross, repentance'"). Before Reverend Warren apologizes, I think that Mr. Dionne would do well to point to produce a mainline Protestant who does care "about redemption, the cross, repentance"--or at least care more than Archbishop Schorri whose practical prescriptions for Christianity read like a U.N. Charter. (As a matter-of-fact, if Jody Bottum's article [http://www.firstthings.com/article.php3?id_article=6254] is at all accurate, her prescriptions may, in fact, be the U.N. Charter.)

On Visiting the Crossing

I visited the Crossing, a church that meets in the UI's administration building, today. Though I can't say that I enjoy the charismatic liturgy prevalent in so many evangelical (or mere Christian) churches in this day and age, it was nice to get another perspective as well as seeing so many college students--many of whom I know--apart from the academic context. Onward Christian Scholars!

The Responsibility of Individualism

"To act on behalf of a group seems to free people of many of the moral restraints which control their behavior as individuals within the group."

-F. A. Hayek, The Road to Serfdom

Though Dr. Hayek is more concerned with the formation of politico-economic movements, I believe that this sentence applies to far too many religious groups also. I was reminded, specifically, of certain Episcopalian dioceses decisions to join African episcopacies instead of branching off on their own. (And I support the move of these American churches to break away from their progressive overseers in this country.) I must say that their decision to join a conservative congregation which is, arguably, as morally compromised is unfortunate, but, while keeping in mind the truth of Dr. Hayek's assertion, it is hardly surprising.