I wonder if the issue is like this: In 100 years from now people might look back at a character like George Bush and refer to the biblical allusions constantly part of rhetoric. We might say that this part of American history is influenced by Christianity. There are those who may dispute this and say that the Bush era is more about syncretism to a religious nationalism. Some may want to deny the "Christian" bit because what he says is couched in Christian "speak" but is far from real Christian values and intent.
The same goes with English history. A long time ago I did a study of religion of lay people and that of professional clergy. If my memory serves me well I referred to a book called, "Between Pulpit and Pew", a study on the disparity between institutionalised religion and the actual belief system of lay people. The book is the reporting of a study taking place in a North Yorkshire fishing village. The discovery was how enduring the pagan beliefs were despite many years of Christian witness, and how locals adopted pagan rites into some sort of Christian significance, despite the protestation of the parent church. So, as Greg points out, it is quite inappropriate to deny the influence of Christianity on England. But I also agree with others who say the characteristics this "Christianity" had is a serious mutant from what we claim we know. But what about another 100 years from now. What will they be saying about the influence of Christianity on us ... will people say that this section of history reveal more than any Christian influence, but rather a huge secularisation of people who still maintained that designation for themselves. This subject has a practical edge because there is a chap in Taree (school teacher) who has been arguing the same thing to the Education Department. That is, our history should include the story of the significance of Christianity to the development of Australia. I agree with him, but I would hate for students to learn about this stuff and get the impression the way people behaved in 1788 was and is a Christian way of doing things. In like manner I would not like Christianity get the credit for the period of English colonialism. Tom ----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Greg Crawford Sent: Tuesday, 22 June 2004 6:24 PM To: 'insights' Subject: RE: just a gripe, but if anyone thinks it's worth discussing, go ahead > Actually, I think that Europe's roots are decidedly pagan! I think one would have to be blind to imagine that Europe does not have its strongest roots in the Christian Faith. Just a walk through many of the towns and cities and a glance at the architecture of church and cathedral gives an indication of the role the Christian Church has played in the European setting. One cannot read European history without discovering the role of the Church in the politics and culture of the day - for good or for ill. The beginnings of modern science, the Reformation, the use of one form of Christian Faith to suppress and dominate a people. The ability to call kings to order and create alliances have often depended on Christian allegiance. Even where there are traces of pagan roots in Europe, they have often been so transplanted into the Christian Faith that modern day Europeans are largely unaware of their original meaning. For example, how many associate the term "Easter" with the fertility goddess Ostiris? The word "Easter" now has unavoidable reference to the Christian Faith. In the same way, "Good Friday" is not a reference to some long forgotten Scandinavian god, but a most central event in the Christian Faith. The Christian Church and the Christian Faith have left an indelible stamp on the nature of modern day Europe. It does seem bizarre to avoid acknowledging it. - Greg ------------------------------------------------------ - You are subscribed to the mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] - To unsubscribe, email [EMAIL PROTECTED] and put in the message body 'unsubscribe insights-l' (ell, not one (1)) See: http://nsw.uca.org.au/insights-l-information.htm ------------------------------------------------------ __________ NOD32 1.792 (20040622) Information __________ This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. http://www.nod32.com ------------------------------------------------------ - You are subscribed to the mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] - To unsubscribe, email [EMAIL PROTECTED] and put in the message body 'unsubscribe insights-l' (ell, not one (1)) See: http://nsw.uca.org.au/insights-l-information.htm ------------------------------------------------------
