I should have been a priest

[robinturner]

Apart from the fact that I have a nostalgic attachment to Anglicanism and the clergy is a good way to be paid for shooting your mouth off, one reason I'd like to be a priest is that they get all these really great words like

• theodicy
• epiphany
• transubstantiation
• ecumenical
• eschatology

and so forth.

Comments

[solri.livejournal.com]

What makes Islam worse than Judaism or Christianity?

[ex-myst341.livejournal.com]

The way they treat women, for one. You don't think it's worse?

[solri.livejournal.com]

If you're comparing current Islamic societies to current Christian societies, then yes, but that isn't a fair comparison - you're comparing for the most part developing (or very recently developed) societies with post-industrial societies. If you want to compare the religions themselves, you have to look at their actual doctrines, in which case Islam probably comes out better than Christianity.

[ex-myst341.livejournal.com]

Okay. What I also had in mind, however, and your post here brings it more to light, is that a religion itself influences a society enough to not only determine how various people are treated, but also how quickly that society may progress. I'm sure it makes a difference if one society is materialistic and another not.

Also, doctrines don't mean much when it comes to the actions. If a doctrine can be praised for its egalitarian aspects but the societal aspects of that religion's doctrine cannot be, then why bother comparing them? I understand that many people would fare better if the practitioners/believers would actually LIVE by those doctrines, but I'm sure that also doesn't apply 100%.

[solri.livejournal.com]

Well if we're looking at societal effects, it's fair to say that the introduction of Islam had a more positive effect than the introduction of Christianity. However, it may not be fair to compare a religion that started through revolution with one that was adopted for pragmatic reasons by the ruler of a declining empire.

[ex-myst341.livejournal.com]

I'm less interested in how a religion began than the effects it's having on the world today. It could very well be that both had a positive impact societally in their early stages, but I'm attempting to weigh those positive effects that might still be evident today with the negative effects (ignorance, oppression).

[solri.livejournal.com]

I think the important thing is to support the progressive elements in any religion. For example, the Church of England used to be described as "the Tory Party at prayer", but during the dark days of Margaret Thatcher, many clergymen came out and opposed the government's inhumane policies, and frequently won a majority in the Synod, amidst much gnashing of conservatvie teeth. Back in the 1980s I visited my local vicar and he lent me a book on Liberation Thoelogy.

The same goes for Islam. Islam is rooted in concepts of equality and social justice. Rather than dismiss Islam, we should be supporting those Muslims who stay true to these ideals. There are plenty of them around, but they don't attract as much media attention as the suicide bombers.

[ex-myst341.livejournal.com]

I guess I don't see much progression in religion here in the U.S. Liberation theology, huh? :) I'd like to meet a vicar like that!

I imagine none of the more peaceful, sensible people of either religion is going to attract much attention from the media, who are too quick to air/publish the sensational & fanatical side of ... just about anything (including medicine).