FatherMag asks,
…Today those of us who do not recognize the authority of the Bible may wish to examine our own Western values for a moral code based on individual and collective reason rather than reports of supernatural revelation imported from the Middle East. In order to do that, we must first learn to recognize what parts of our values and moral code have come from Biblical sources. Where should we begin if we would like to embrace and further a Western heritage free of the Judeo-Christian influence?
On the surface, that seems almost an oxymoron. A Western heritage free of Judeo-Christian influence? Regardless of what you think of it, Western civilization has been greatly influenced by the spread of Christianity, and it has entered into our value system. But where do we begin if we want to create a new Western “heritage?” Do we make it up or do we reach back before the influence of Christianity reached Europe?
According to Frederick Hodges, I gather we reach back to the past. The West had it together before the wicked Christians came along, stripping children of their rights and reducing them to the chattel of their parents.
OK, so maybe we scrap the past and rewrite it. Looking back to Greek history I have but one image in my mind. A little too graphic to relate here, but it was a sign my parents saw in Greece showing the way to a brothel which featured naked boys. Are these the rights the Christians so brutally took from young children?
Roman society was not much better. It was based on a curious patriarchy. The paterfamilia (father of the family) had the power of father over all his children, regardless of age. What rights did children have? None, really. Even all their property rightfully belonged to the paterfamilia. They, along with the wives of the paterfamilia could be sold into slavery or even killed. Infanticide was practiced. An educated woman was considered to lack femininity. I mention this because those awful Jews did educate their girls until the age of thirteen or so. And marriages were arranged.
All this was before Christ was even born. It also leads me to wonder where certain “biblical” ideas of the patriarchy really come from.
For some time, we have worked at unloosing the ties our culture has to Christianity. I have never really understood it. It seems to me that we would be able to appreciate the contributions that have been made, much as we appreciate the contributions Greek and Roman civilizations had to Western civilization despite their shortcomings. Whether you like it or not, it is part of our heritage.
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Wow, this feels kind of like a “duh” moment. It amazes me when people try to remove our cultural heritage from our culture. Especially when in the past such removals (like stories about slavery and African-American influences, the influence of women on our history, etc.) have caused such incredible repercussions. It makes sense that people would want to do it but by doing so you would remove most of history from the history books, and isn’t that what propaganda is all about? This probably doesn’t make much sense, I keep feeling like a kid is going to interrupt me writing and that I will lose the thought completely. So, that is enough.
Heather, I agree completely.
I read an essay once in which the author was promoting the idea that every generation gets to rewrite its history. That we get to decide what our own origins are and frame our history to promote our own values and morals.
That seems dangerous to me.
Yep, the Greco-Roman worldview is a huge part of our heritage. Its like an operating system with a computer– it comes automatically. Have you seen the book “Assumptions That Affect Our Lives”?
I may be completely off topic, but I am currently reading ( or rather listening to an audio) book about the New Testament–written by a once Fundamentalist turned Evangelical turned I don’t recall what he sees himself as now–he is however a professor and expert on Biblical text.
What I have learned about the evolution of Christianity is that 1st and foremost it is a BOOKISH religion–and such a religion did not exist before Christianity; and 2nd that is is a religion of MORALITY–again, something that was new and different from other religions at the time.
So even if a person were to throw away all of the historiacal aspect of the Bible and Christ and Christianity, the religion itself is a history of the birth and evolution of morality. We would be hard pressed at this time in history to create a Moral Code based upon individual and collective reason without taking Christianity into account–when both have been touched by, if not shaped by, Christianity.
As I have always stated to friends who questioned me and my beliefs–it doesn’t really matter if it (the Bible, Christ, Christianity) is real or not…what has come of it has been for the betterment of mankind. All have been affected in a positive/good way — whether you believe or not.
So I guess for me, it doesn’t matter if our Moral Code is attributed to Christianity or some other collective reasoning…as long as there is a Moral Code is which directs us.
Where is that darn EDIT button when you need it LOL I hate type-O’s…especially when they are MINE!
I went and read the article. Very scary stuff. It is hard to believe they actually believe that stuff.
Only Christians promoted “no Greek or Jew or Slave or Free” etc. (All Men are Created Equal!)
Freedom comes from God. Let’s keep hold of it!
ThirstyJon
freedomthirst.com
ThirstyJon, you are right. I don’t really understand where someone who calls himself a historian can make claims like this. It is irresponsible and reminds me of Nazi Germany’s history of the Jews. After all, all social problems were somehow “their” fault. But I guess we haven’t learned history well enough.
Shawna, if your analysis of Christian history as the first “bookish” religion includes Jewish history, I agree. I think they were the first.
Even the Muslims call us “The people of the book.”
Literacy has been advanced through the entire world because of Christianity and its desire to ensure all people can read His Word for themselves.
Have evil things been done by Christians and even by churches? Yes, most definitely. But they either were looking to increase their own power and ignoring scripture, or did not really understand their religion to begin with.
Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
How much more peaceful can you get?
I am not a pacifist, but you won’t find me going around saying “God has commanded us…” Because he hasn’t.
Yes Dana, the literature I am currently reading does begin with Jewish tradition and occasionally bounce back to paganism to show progress and make points.
Again, I feel that Christianity has been for the betterment of mankind whether one believes or not and I don’t see why anyone would want to knock that or try to disprove it…but that is just me.
I love these articles you find and the thinking they provoke and the forum you provide for discussing them!
The majority of western people are Christians and they are rich in there culture and heritage.
I feel that believing in Jesus and Christianity, and following the gospels in bible brought that name.