According to the article by Yonat Shimron, the United States is becoming increasingly non religious; more specifically, there is a greater number of people identifying as nonchristian. This was discovered through annual political surveys given to 12,000 to 25,000 people each. The timeframe for comparison is about a decade. There were many interesting things to note from the surveys’ results, including possible reasons for the decrease in religious practices in America; Scott Thumma, a theological sociologist, and Greg Smith, a theology journalist, each have possible theories. Thumma suggests that the decrease could be a generational shift resulting from cultural changes overtime. 84% of people born between 1928 and 1945 identify as Christian, while only 49% of people born between 1981 and 1996 identify that way. Thumma believes there are a few possible reasons for this generational shift. Younger people may feel less pressure to attend religious functions than older people. It could be clergy sexual abuse scandals scaring people off. New liberation of sexuality and gender could also be turning people away from more traditional religious practices. Meanwhile, Smith believes there is a correlation between religious and political identity. He believes that dissatisfaction with conservative political ties with Christianity may be driving more people to be non religious. Another theology blogger, Hemant Mehta, agrees to an extent. Mehta thinks that people aren’t being driven to atheism necessarily, but rather, away from the conservative idea of religion. It is interesting to note that while one third of those with democratic leanings identify as non religious, there has been an increase in “nones” in those with more conservative leanings as well, from 10% to 16% within the last decade. No matter the reason, there is very clearly an increase in non religious people when compared to ten years ago. The number of Protestants have decreased from 51% to 43%, and Catholics have decreased from 23% to 20%. I found all this to be very interesting; it made me think of a class discussion from earlier in the semester. It’s interesting to see how there is now a decrease in people that identify as Christian, as compared to the boom that occurred in the 1950s and 60s.
Month: December 2019
Southern Baptist Convention Protests about Same Sex Abuse
There has recently been uproar during the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) over a problem that has been prevalent but ignored for years. The problem is one of same sex abuse within the ministers and other members of the congregation and the lack of focus on helping the victims of this abuse. The opinion piece written by Russel L. Meek highlights this abuse (with a focus on same sex couples though the protests have been for both same sex and heteronormative people being abused) and the attention that it has been getting recently within the protests from some people within the Southern Baptist denomination. The addressing of this problem and the inability to get past some of the ideals that the Southern Baptists hold about what it means to be gay to be able to help those who are being abused calls back to the argument within the liberal and conservative evangelists and Mel White. However, this call back does not look the same in all ways. The argument for the Southern Baptists convention is not one that is trying to accept being homosexual as not a sin but just a way of being. The argument is firmly rooted within the church and its belief that homosexuality is a sin, however it addresses how the victims of sexual abuse are getting ignored because of their sexuality. This focus on addressing the problem despite the fact that homosexuality is a sin might be considered for some who hold more liberal ideas a step in the right direction. The fact of the matter is that the Southern Baptist convention is having some more outspoken ideas about how people are all worthy of respect and “humans made in God’s image, as worthy of dignity and respect as such” (Meek). The ignorance towards people who are experiencing sexual abuse because of their sexuality is something that is quickly growing to be a sore spot within the church itself. This may be the beginning of a growing acceptance culture among the Southern Baptist Convention, or it may not, but this protest holds more promise of understanding and respect shown to people outside of the church itself.
Nativity Scene Takes Stance on Immigration
Recently a The Claremont United Methodist Church in California put up a nativity scene that depicts a message different from traditional nativity scenes. The Claremont nativity scene has Jesus, Mary, and Joseph all separated in chain link cages, and the baby Jesus is wrapped in a Mylar blanket similar to what has been given to many immigrants. When interviewed about the nativity scene Reverand Martha Morales has said, “the church’s intention was not to be controversial or political… the church is trying to be faithful to its calling to do God’s work” (Molina). A plaque in front of the nativity scene describes it’s purpose emphasizing how Jesus was a teacher of kindness and mercy and radically welcomed all others. Despite the Church’s attempts to keep the Nativity scene purpose purely set on raising awareness to the issue of how the US has dealt with immigration, many have seen it as a politically motivated attack.
Using nativity scenes as a means of protest has become more and more popular over time. In Canada, a similar Nativity scene was constructed, showing a caged baby Jesus wrapped in a Mylar blanket. The Vatican even made a nativity scene bringing awareness to the plight of refugees and immigrants. The Vatican’s Nativity scene pictured the statue of a man carrying his belongings as he approaches a manger. In 2013 the Claremont United Methodist Church had a nativity scene showing a figure in a black hoodie with blood pouring out of his chest protesting the shooting of Trayvon Martin. The Nativity scene was titled A Child Is Born, A Son Is Given. Although many have criticized the Church most harshly for politicizing the birth of Christ, Reverend Morales says that this is the job of Christians to “stand up and speak against injustices” (Molina). Many people have been very grateful for the Nativity scene, feeling welcomed by the Church’s firm stance towards supporting immigrants.
Criticism of the Nativity scene at the Claremont church has become so severe that police have been stationed around the church to ensure no attacks are made. Although the Nativity scenes usually seen today depict a happy and warm story, it is essential to remember the original version of the story from where the Nativity tradition arose. Originally the story tells the tale of Mary and Joseph being unwelcome at several Inns resulting in Christ being born in a manger, a trough like object from which animals eat. Maybe a Nativity scene is a perfect place to protest immigration standards within the US. After all, Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus are arguably the widest known refugee family of all time.
Molina, Alejandra. “You’ve Got to Call out Evil,’ Says Pastor of Church with Nativity Scene Separated in Cages.” Religion News Service, 15 Dec. 2019, https://religionnews.com/2019/12/13/youve-got-to-call-out-evil-says-pastor-of-church-with-nativity-scene-separated-in-cages/.
Bring your Bible to School
The Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin is trying something new in public schools in Kentucky. On October 2nd, 2019 he encouraged public school students across the state to participate in “Bring your Bible to School Day”. This is a student-led event that is sponsored every year by the fundamentalist Christian organization Focus on the Family. The republican governor sent out a twitter video about this matter saying “And I would encourage you please, don’t just bring your Bible to school, but read your Bible. Bring it, share it with others. If you have an extra Bible, bring it and share it with someone who maybe doesn’t have one, (who) maybe has never read this book.” Bevin stated that the Bible should be a very important part of one’s everyday life. Even though there is supposed to be a strong separation between church and state, In 2017, Bevin signed legislation making Kentucky the first state to allow its public schools to offer Bible literacy classes. Conservative states such as Georgia and Arkansas have been pushing pro-Christian bills. The main bill that they are focused on is the teachings of the Bible in public schools, this has been pushed through an effort called Project Blitz. Project Blitz is a program that was founded by Randy Forbes is a coalition of Christian right groups, including the
Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation, the National Legal Foundation, and Wallbuilders Pro-family Legislators Conference. It seeks to “protect the free exercise of traditional Judeo-Christian religious values and beliefs in the public square, and to reclaim and properly define the narrative which supports such beliefs.” The group specifically encourages lawmakers to enact legislation that eliminates paths for legal interference of Christian practice in the public square; supports conservative legislators at the local, state and federal level with public relations and messaging; and otherwise seeks to alter longstanding narratives of religious liberty issues. President Trump agreed with this legislation and wanted to push the agenda as well. President Donald Trump has shown that he is in favor of this legislation by tweeting this in January 2019- “Numerous states introducing Bible Literacy classes, giving students the option of studying the Bible, Starting to make a turn back? Great!” On the other hand, citizens are very upset about this issue and argue that this type of legislation violates the separation of church and state. Rachel Laser, the president and chief executive for the Americans United for Separation of Church and State advocacy group, was very passionate about this issue and said
“It’s part of an effort to establish this sort of narrow Christian agenda as the norm for our country, the government-sanctioned and supported norm,” in one of her interviews for the Washington Post. Overall, there are obviously different opinions regarding this issue. The Conservative politicians who are pushing this issue believe that teaching the bible will help the youth of today understand history better, but reports and data show that Project Blitz’s goal goes beyond this educational goal and that the legislation is meant to promote the “free exercise of traditional Judeo-Christian religious values and beliefs in the public square.”
“Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin Supports ‘Bring Your Bible to School Day’.” U.S. News & World Report, U.S. News & World Report, http://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/articles/2019-10-02/kentucky-gov-matt-bevin-supports-bring-your-bible-to-school-day.
Employment and Peyote
In 1989 two men who were members of the Church of Peyote were let go from their jobs at a rehabilitation center. The men were let go because of their use of the illegal drug peyote. Though the use of the drug was for religious purposes they were later denied unemployment. The men took this to the Supreme Court, known as Smith vs Oregon Supreme Court. The men ultimately lost the case, because the court refused to acknowledge the religious practices of the Church of Peyote. The court publicly denied the men their 1st amendment rights.
“Employment Division, Department of Human Resources of Oregon v. Smith.” Oyez, www.oyez.org/cases/1989/88-1213. Accessed 13 Dec. 2019.
Native lands overlooked
In the Six Rivers National Forest in Willow Creek California, the forest service looked to build an new road for the logging trucks. The best and quickest route would cut threw the Chimney rock area. However by taking this route, it would damage sacred lands of the Native Americans. These scared lands are utilized for rituals and religious practices. The destruction of these lands would impose on the religious rights of the Native people. This was takin to the Supreme Court, known as Lyng vs Northwest Indian Cemetery Protective Association. The N.C.P.A ultimately lost the case to a 5-to-3 decision. The forest service was aloud to build the road, the court justified this as they can not satisfy every citizens needs.
“Lyng v. Northwest Indian Cemetery Protective Association.” Oyez, www.oyez.org/cases/1987/86-1013. Accessed 13 Dec. 2019.
Joy to the World… Too Religious?
It is December, which also means that the holiday spirit is in the air for many people. Brooklyn Benzel, a 13 year old home-schooled girl, decided that she would play “Joy to the World” for her piano assignment. However, after submitting a video sample of her recital, she was shut down by a California charter school because her song choice was too religious.
Being a popular and well known Christmas song, her mom was baffled and angry that they shut her daughter down. Additionally, she argued that the lyrics would not be sang, but just the melody would be played. Her mother stated that she was tired of being attacked for their Christian faith, and the fact that it was even happening was alarming. The school even went out of their way to provide, in their opinion, a more suitable song: “Jingle Bells”, as it did not contain words like savior and heaven.
After emailing back and forth with the school officials and threatening to take legal action, the decision was reversed the by director of communications and development for IEM Schools, allowing Brooklyn to recite the song. It was stated that:
” At South Sutter Charter School our goal is to provide students as much flexibility as is allowable by law in all aspects of their education. We recognize and value our students’ First Amendment freedoms, and acknowledge that all public schools must be nonsectarian…”(Rachel, Director of IEM)
Nevertheless, the company who manages the charter school was already facing allegations of religious discrimination and a possible lawsuit. Obviously religious freedom is a concern, not only at these schools, but as we continue to see, worldwide.
Parke, Caleb. “California Charter School Reverses Decision after It Rejects ‘Joy to the World’ for Being ‘Religious’.” Fox News, FOX News Network, 28 Nov. 2019, http://www.foxnews.com/us/joy-to-the-world-california-charter-school-rejected.
Millennials May Kill Industries, but Boomers have Birthed the Death Doula
Many news headlines claim that Millenials are killing things like department stores, cable TV, and even napkins. Meanwhile, the “ok boomer” discourse and the generational feud between Millenials and Baby Boomers continue. But what about those Boomers? Rather than killing industries, this generation is making headlines for a whole other sort of death.
Death doulas, similar to their counterparts, birth doulas, have become increasingly popular as the Boomer generation ages and copes with mortality. According to Chase Beech’s article, “Death doulas guide the way for those who face the end of life,” the profession has been around for centuries. Beech claims that death doulas are “undergoing a renaissance, in part, due to an aging baby boomer generation that has eschewed religion but still wants sanctity around death.” But what does a death doula do?
Contemporary death doulas have been around since about 2003, when people like Henry Fersko-Weiss realized that dying has become a medical affair that often lacks humanity. Fersko-Weiss “founded the International End of Life Doula Association, or INELDA, in 2015… Other organizations, like the University of Vermont and the Conscious Dying Institute have also created death doula training programs.” Death doulas serve as spiritual guides and logistical planners as elderly and ill people approach the end of life. The doulas don’t have a specific religious death practice, but cater to their clients’ wishes concerning their passing.
Alua Arthur, a death doula and founder of Going with Grace says that she has “read the Bible, the Quran, I work with chevra kadisha in the Jewish tradition… I help the people that just want to close the chakras after death. I try to keep my personal spiritual beliefs out of it.” The profession’s general spirituality rather than religious affiliation is bolstered by Baby Boomers, who have helped revitalize the profession. According to “a study released last year by the University of Southern California… reported that one in five of the 599 baby boomers in the study had increased their religious or spiritual activities as they aged.” The death doulas allow Boomers to explore and prepare for death regardless of their religious beliefs.
Beech, Chace. “Death Doulas Guide the Way for Those Who Face the End of Life.” Religion News Service, 24 Nov. 2019, religionnews.com/2019/11/08/death-doulas-guide-the-way-for-those-who-face-the-end-of-life/.
Mental Health of Church Leaders often dismissed
Heather Morrison dives into the issue of mental health of everybody involved the church, specifically Pastors and Ministers. In many Christian churches, the mental health of these church leaders is dismissed if it is brought up that one is having trouble. This conversation was brought to light when a church leader in California, Jarrid Wilson, committed suicide a couple of months ago. Two pastors got together after this and decided they had to have a conversation with the people about mental health, so they planned the GC2 Summit. At the summit, it was to be specifically discussed the mental health or pastors and everything that they go through on a daily basis. Along with that, how their well being is often looked over as they are too busy making sure everybody else around them is okay.
There is some stigma that comes with the mental health of a church leader. It is to be understood in many Christian churches that the mental health of an individual is in God’s hands, and if one has enough faith they shouldn’t experience things like severe depression and anxiety. However, many pastors have found that’s not the case, they have so much faith in God but they still don’t always feel okay. Many of them have a fear of talking about their mental health which results to many choosing to take their life instead.
A survey in 2015 reported that over half of Christian church leaders felt that their job was overwhelming, and only 34% of these leaders felt that they had true friends (Morrison.) These numbers show that even church leaders need to be checked up on, specifically because they don’t have a lot of people that they can be open with about their well being. In the past, Pastors have been removed from their Pastor position because it was revealed that they were taking medication for depression/anxiety. This is the reason why so many of them are afraid of speaking out on how they feel. These leaders are supposed to be okay all the time because other people rely on that well being, when the reality is that’s just not how it is.
Many pastors are not encouraged to participate in hobbies outside of the church because they may get burnt out or put their mental health at risk. However, Derwin Gray is a pastor in South Carolina and he has found the exact opposite. Gray puts aside time each week to go fishing because that’s his self-care. He doesn’t let anyone tell him otherwise, he does what he knows is best for his mental health. Gray also encourages that every pastor should find something they love that allows them to relax. Gray has found that he enjoys life a lot more when he finds time for himself to relax and rest within the week.
Morrison, Heather. “Wheaton Summit Examines Mental Health and Wellbeing for Clergy.” Religion News Service, 6 Dec. 2019, religionnews.com/2019/12/06/wheaton-summit-examines-mental-health-and-wellbeing-for-clergy/. Accessed 6 Dec. 2019.
Solving the Opiod Crisis through religion and medicine.
Recently, there was a conference in Tennessee to discuss the Opioid Crisis. Opioids have become increasingly dangerous and contribute to the large number of overdoses each year. In 2017, around 70,000 Americans died of a drug overdose and about 49,000 of them were related to opioid use. This conference consisted of many medical professionals, church leaders, and theologians from Duke University. The Holy Friendship Summit was to attempt for Christians to engage in healing that part of the south.
During this summit, many speakers advocated for a more holistic understanding people than normally recognized by the medical community. Many sessions at the summit talked about psychological and emotional reasons for addiction, but also how addiction could be healed through a relationship with God. There are several church leaders interested in the matter due to the prevalence of the issue seen in their communities.
To accomplish these goals for using faith to help solve drug addictions like those to opioids, there are grants through the U.S. Department of Health that are given to faith-based programs. However, it is mentioned that to be successful, these faith-based communities will need to breakthrough the stereotypes related to addicts.
The Holy Friendship Summit organizers said in a statement, “Those suffering with behavioral health conditions and addiction are much more than patients or clients. They are our sisters and brothers in Christ.” Which helps to show the motivation for these religious communities trying to help those who are addicted and guide them into a healthier life.
Beaty, Katelyn, et al. “Faith and Friendship as a Remedy to the Opioid Crisis.” Religion News Service, 26 Sept. 2019, religionnews.com/2018/08/30/how-faith-and-friendship-are-gaining-as-a-remedy-to-the-opioid-crisis/.
contemporaryamericanreligion 