"My Abortion Saved My Life" protest sign
Abortion and Sexuality/Gender Identity are the two social issues that are dividing this country. Some define them as moral or ethical issues. They are much more. They represent two belief systems. One focuses on personal salvation and the other on social justice. Often described as debates about human rights, for example, when does the right of an unborn fetus trump the right of a woman who may be facing mental or physical threats? A miscarriage could be charged as a criminal offense. Does a woman have no right to control her own body?
Who can declare what is normal human behavior? Can you pick 8 scriptures from the Bible and state they are they are the sole determination of what is sinful? The tension between rights and responsibilities is unresolved.
The real problem is that debates about these issues isn’t conducted in a reasonable and kind manner. They occur in loud, hateful, accusations where people talk past each other rather than listen. That makes it impossible to come to some understanding of opposing positions. The public debates only produce irreconcilable differences and abusive language.
These belief systems spill over into politics and two opposing mindsets. One proclaims that we live in a world of scarcity so it’s “dog-eat-dog.” The other proposes that we live in an abundant world and that the problem is simply an unequal distribution of opportunities and resources. The Capitalist “free” market really isn’t free. It’s dominated by a handful of corporations in nearly every market. On the other hand, charges of socialism and government intervention in the economy disregard the inequality of the system. Those who hate big government ignore the punitive legal measures that are being adopted regarding the most personal aspects of an individual’s life. How would you feel if I went snooping in your bedroom?
The church, in all its many forms and variations, always has had a difficulty in dealing with sex. The Roman Catholic Church for 1,200 years allowed clergy to marry and then suddenly reversed itself based on the whims of one Pope. Sex outside of marriage is considered a sin, but same-sex couples weren’t allowed to marry until recently. The history of homosexuality goes back almost to pre-recorded history, but the debate assumes that the fact was only discovered 50 years ago. Has it been a big secret all that time? Or was it only following the 18th Century Puritanical views about sex?
What is the “Good News” of Christianity? Is there any good news anymore, or are we doomed to a stalemate that may destroy the country?
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