The Happy Feminist: IS IT WORTHWHILE FOR SOCIALLY CONSERVATIVE CHRISTIANS AND SECULAR LIBERALS TO TALK TO EACH OTHER?

« AN EXCESS OF CERTITUDE | Main | IS GETTING RICH A FEMINIST ACT? »

IS IT WORTHWHILE FOR SOCIALLY CONSERVATIVE CHRISTIANS AND SECULAR LIBERALS TO TALK TO EACH OTHER?

Over the last couple of weeks, I've engaged in several weblog discussions with very socially conservative Christians. There inevitably came a point in each discussion of a social issue when the Christian response was, "Because the Bible says so and the Bible is the word of God." And, of course, since I view the Bible as an entirely human product, that explanation is meaningless to me.

Therefore, some, like Crystal, question whether there is any purpose to having a discussion if those involved are clearly working from different standards or sources of knowledge (the Bible versus, for example, the standards I described in my previous post entitled "By What Standards"). I also question whether such discussions are worthwhile, but I think ultimately they are. After all we all have to live together and make our country work in such a manner that everyone's liberty is protected.

It's not about "cumbaya" or some mushy notion of "tolerance." Nor is it about converting people to another point of view. The fact is that mutual understanding will help us to become better informed voters and citizens. As a citizen, I want to know whether socially conservative Christians are being discriminated against in some way. Do they have legitimate concerns regarding alleged government imposition on their religious beliefs? I want to know why they find feminism threatening or problematic. And because some Christians want to impose their religious beliefs on the public at large, I want to know if there is a rational basis for these beliefs. I also want to know what their hopes for this country are, since such hopes could affect me also if they are ever realized. This comment thread on Crystal's blog was somewhat illuminating on that issue.

We will surely never agree on whether the Bible is the Word of God. But are there things we can agree on? Can we agree to respect each other's freedom? And what does that respect entail?

October 22, 2005 in Blogging, Religion | Permalink

Comments

Wow- what a refreshing attitude you have towards others in this regard! I think it's great that you seek to understand where other people are coming from. Definitely sounds like something I would want in a lawyer.

Now I know that you already have a ton of books on your personal reading list, but I definitely recommend Blinded By Might by Cal Thomas and Ed Dobson. Not *all* Christian social conservatives hold to the same view of how faith plays out in government.

Another book I would like to read that I think touches on some of your questions is called Total Truth by Nancy Pearcy. The author was interviewed by a Christian blogger that I recommend here. http://allthings2all.blogspot.com/2005/06/allthings2all-special-interview-with.html

Also, have you ever read anything by C.S. Lewis?

I just wanted to let you know that there are others out there like me that are socially conservative Christians, yet don't agree with the approach or fit into the mold presented by bloggers like Crystal or organizations like VisionForum.

Posted by: Anne | October 22, 2005 at 11:22 PM

Thanks Anne! I hope I haven't been creating the wrong impression by referring to "socially conservative Christians." It's certainly an amorphous term that includes a lot of diverse viewpoints.

Posted by: The Happy Feminist | October 23, 2005 at 04:26 PM

Oh, and to my great shame, I have not ready any C.S. Lewis besides the Narnia books when I was growing up. Thanks for the book recommendations!

Posted by: The Happy Feminist | October 23, 2005 at 04:38 PM

Wow, you are quick with your updates. I saw and read this yesterday and planned to answer during my lunch break today - only to notice that I had plenty to catch up. It's a good news, of course, as I love your posts :). Just that I seem to be blatantly late with my thoughts.

I come from a Scandinavian country myself and I guess we are far more secularized here than in the States. As example, we don't ask whether or not the evolution theory should be taught at our schools - we just teach it, not as an ultimate truth, of course, but as something that seems to explain something about the world. So I probably can't understand all the connotations and cultural meanings behind your question, yet I find the question very interesting.

I read the comment thread on Crystal's blog and it seems that our premises are not that different in all areas. I find it very easy to agree with the statement about the fallibility and weakness of human reasoning. However, this is where the roads differ. Many socially conservative Christians start to think that since we make mistakes, we must turn to God and find the answers in him, that as fallible human beings we must not build on human reasoning, no good may come from that. On the other hand, secular liberals often think that despite we make mistakes, we can but build on our reasoning and do our best so that we may eventually find a better way, so that we may eventually learn from our mistakes (which we don't often do, unfortunately). Yes, the outcome is very different.

So, is there a place for a dialogue? I'd say that it depends. If we want to discuss in an academic way (which I personally greatly enjoy), we can start a dialogue. However, this is not about something unpersonal and distant since our beliefs are an elementary part of our worldview and our view of ourselves as well. So, the discussions are bound to be emotionally heated and people get hurt. Anyway, I'd still opt for a dialogue. Maybe not that much about the grounds and reasons (unless the both parties agree, of course) but about how to live and co-operate in the same world despite the fact that we are coming from very different points. Because we will always live in the same world with each others, whether or not we like it. There can never be too much dialogue for that!!

Oh, I hope I was making some sense here. My break is almost over so I can't give it a better thought now. Thanks for this thought-provoking post, I really enjoyed reading it!

Posted by: Helena | October 24, 2005 at 05:37 AM

Helena, now I'm dying of curiosity asto where you are writing from. I have always wanted to visit Scandinavia, especially Norway as my grandfather's side of the family is originally from Norway, and I have always been curious to learn more about my "roots" on that side of the family.

The U.S. government is secular, in theory. But there are significant and increasingly powerful religious groups who believe that the United States "is a Christian nation" in the sense that our government should reflect Christian beliefs. A lot of our court cases revolve around whether Biblically based laws adopted by our legislatures have a rational secular justification. Another issue is the sense by conservative Christians that they are being discriminated against in government schools.

Posted by: The Happy Feminist | October 24, 2005 at 07:18 AM

I'm from Finland really... I know that not everyone considers it a _Scandinavian_ country, it's open to debate ;). I often call it Scandinavian for a sake of simplicity, though.

Posted by: Helena | October 24, 2005 at 07:58 AM

For whatever its worth, my public grade school in the U.S. always taught that Finland is definitely part of Scandinavia. (Yes, our schools do occasionally teach geography!)

Posted by: The Happy Feminist | October 24, 2005 at 08:33 AM