Wise Words on Wednesday: A point to ponder
Apart from being involved at the beginning of science, systems of government, philosophy, art, schools, hospitals, the emancipation of women, the abolition of slavery, social welfare, helping form the basis of the moral code most people live by, and introducing popular notions of justice, mercy, peace, decency and compassion…what has Christianity ever done for the world?
– Milton Jones
LOL!! This reminds me of the old Monty Python movie “The Life of Brian”. John Cleese: “What have the Romans ever done for us?”
Great post
Hahah…very true! For those who don’t know what we’re talking about…
Christianity – after the first flush of enthusiasm – has a very patchy record in most of these areas. Once it became respectable and, indeed, state-sponsored, it soon developed into a power and control structure in its own right. At times the church has imprisoned scientists, tortured dissenters, repressed women (among others), supported slavery, and well into the 20th century it held such control over universities that non-Christians were made unwelcome. Other religions (Islam and Buddhism for example) have contributed their own share to science, government, and all the rest. “The moral code most people live by” ignores the widespread nature of such morals, in people with other faiths or none. Oh, and Christianity has a huge problem with the number and variety of its sects. As an ex-Christian I have many good feelings for the people who make up the church, but to credit it with everything good in the world is going way too far.
Heya, welcome to Restless Pilgrim!
I don’t really agree with your summary of history. I’m not saying that these things were entirely absent, but I think in the broader picture the Church was the one who nurtured, supported and financed art, science etc, who raised women from being simply property to being bearers of the divine image, gave rise to the University, the hospital and it’s note-worthy that the figureheads of civil rights (Martin Luther King) and slavery abolition (William Wilberforce) were both vocal Christians.
But I would argue that most growing up in lands which were shaped by Christianity naturally inherit something of the moral code which formed that nation.
I would agree that it’s a scandal. Jesus doesn’t endorse the multiplicity of denominations at all. However, I’m Catholic because I believe that this is the Church Jesus founded and this is a claim which can be backed up by history.
Why did you leave? What did you become instead?