Religious Studies 102 introduces students to post-biblical theology and religious practice and the contexts in which they appear. Through a consideration of representative figures and issues, students analyze and critically evaluate ideas, arguments and points of view. In particular, we consider how concepts of the body are incorporated in religious beliefs and practices.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Giving Up Christianity for Lent
Rev. Steve Lawler has decided to give up Christianity for Lent and practice Islam to learn more about the religion. I have never heard of something like this, but it's pretty interesting if you want to read about it here.
This is a very intresting idea that I think warrants the question: what is the purpose of lent? As demonstrated in this article, I don't think there is one answer. However, I do believe there is a general consensus among the Christian community that the purpose of lent is to further one's relationship with Christ by bearing a giving up something of importance. I have heard on many who give up "time" by taking on an extra work of charity. Whether you choose to give up or take on an extra activity or task, as long as it's purpose is to grow closer to God then I think it coincides with the purpose of lent. In my personal opinion I don't think this Reverend's practice of Islam is growing his faith with the christian God. Thus, I would have to agree with the Episcopalian leadership that his actions are not acceptable.
i think this brings up many interesting points. Is it okay to practice another religion for the sake of understanding more? Also, along with what Maddy says, how can one give up Christianity in a time where one should strive for a deeper and closer relationship with Christ. I don't think Lent is a good time to do this, but I do think in general it is important for Christians, and everyone for that matter to try and grow in understanding other religions more.
This is definitely an interesting idea, but I don't think giving up what you believe in for lent is what the purpose of lent is. Lent is a Christian practice so giving up Christianity for lent kind of contradicts what the purpose is. Along with what Maddy and Allison said, I don't think that practicing Islam for lent would bring you closer to your Christian God. One other thing is, this man being a preacher, what kind of message does this send to his congregation. It almost seems that he himself is questioning his God. How are members of his congregation supposed to have faith in what he is telling them if he appears to be taking a break from it?
Being an Episcopalian, I found this article very controversial. I dont think that Lawler explains a good enough reason to start to practice Islam. Especially during Lent. I agree with Logan, that being a Christian Preacher this would look horrible to the members of his church. Before Lawler begins to practice Islam he should convert, instead of contradicting himself. This seems like a sad excuse to me.
I think their may be more to Lawler's explanation of why he is practicing Islam for lent than is apparent in this article, but either way I do not think it is appropriate to use lent as an excuse to learn more about the Islamic religion. I do not necessarily think it is wrong for a Christian to do what Lawler is doing, as long as it is for the purpose of becoming more aware and learning more about another religion. Being more aware could potentially lead to a better relationship between Muslims and Christians. I agree with the point that you cannot be Muslim and Christian at the same time. They believe different things and practice in their religion in different ways. For an education standpoint I think what Lawler is doing could be very beneficial, but doing it for lent is very controversial.
I am also an Episcopalian but I have to disagree with the previous posts. Although Rev. Lawler's way of practicing Lent is a little unconventional to say the least, I don't think it should be judged so quickly. I am not very familiar with Islam, it is my understanding that Allah is the same God as the Christian God, but with a different name. If the priest is praying to Allah five times a day, studying the Quran, and practicing Islamic eating restrictions, it seems to me that these are all things that would be acceptable to the Christian faith. Even though he is not praying directly to Jesus, he is still praying to Allah which seems to have very similar principals. I have always felt that by immersing yourself in the culture of others you not only increase your understanding and tolerance, but you learn more about yourself and what your beliefs and practices mean to you. In short, I definitely understand the backlash to his decision but I think theres another side that shouldn't be ignored.
Understanding other religions is important in order to defend your own. So, I can understand why this priest would want to experience Islam so that he can say why he thinks that Christianity is the true saving religion. However, I think that he is completely misusing and abusing lent. Lent is designed so that Christians give up something they love and depend on God for the strength to get through this time. This priest, in my opinion, is doing something very wrong and should be focusing on worshipping God.
I dont think the preist is abusing lent at all. He had the guts to do what the rest of the Christian community wouldnt.
Im going to make a few assuptions in this argument: 1. We are all children of God. 2. A HUGE part of Jesus' message revolved around loving your neighbor. 3. The time of lent is meant to lead one to better understanding (of yourself or others).
It seems that the term love has become diluted over the years. However, If we are all children of God does that not mean we are brothers and sisters? Love within a family is strong. It is unconditional love. Most of all, there is understanding. Members of a family come from the same place and have had the same experiences. Think about how many stories you have of terrible family vacations, or weird uncle earl. This is the type of love I beleive Jesus is talking about. You cannot fully love someone without understanding them. It is impossible. This priest is striving for understanding. What a better time to do it than Lent? If it is true that experiences are a critical aspect of understanding and that understanding is a critical aspect of love, then I do not see what the priest is doing wrong here. He is loving his neighbor.
As a member of the Christian faith myself, I have heard a multitude of Lenten promises. However, the sacrifice, or experiment in the case of Revered Steve Lawler, is unmatched by any that I have heard before. I agree with Maddy in that the purpose of Lent is to give up something of importance to oneself in the hope of gaining a stronger relationship with Christ. In my personal opinion, the manner in which an individual does so is solely their decision to make because no two people view their relationship with God in the same way. Some individuals, like myself, choose to make trivial sacrifices while others, such as Steve Lawler, take a more drastic approach. In sum, there is no right or wrong way to express a desire to become closer to God. For this reason, I do not view the Reverend's actions as unacceptable but rather as a unique manner of nurturing his relationship with God.
This is a very intresting idea that I think warrants the question: what is the purpose of lent? As demonstrated in this article, I don't think there is one answer. However, I do believe there is a general consensus among the Christian community that the purpose of lent is to further one's relationship with Christ by bearing a giving up something of importance. I have heard on many who give up "time" by taking on an extra work of charity. Whether you choose to give up or take on an extra activity or task, as long as it's purpose is to grow closer to God then I think it coincides with the purpose of lent. In my personal opinion I don't think this Reverend's practice of Islam is growing his faith with the christian God. Thus, I would have to agree with the Episcopalian leadership that his actions are not acceptable.
ReplyDeletei think this brings up many interesting points. Is it okay to practice another religion for the sake of understanding more? Also, along with what Maddy says, how can one give up Christianity in a time where one should strive for a deeper and closer relationship with Christ. I don't think Lent is a good time to do this, but I do think in general it is important for Christians, and everyone for that matter to try and grow in understanding other religions more.
ReplyDeleteThis is definitely an interesting idea, but I don't think giving up what you believe in for lent is what the purpose of lent is. Lent is a Christian practice so giving up Christianity for lent kind of contradicts what the purpose is. Along with what Maddy and Allison said, I don't think that practicing Islam for lent would bring you closer to your Christian God. One other thing is, this man being a preacher, what kind of message does this send to his congregation. It almost seems that he himself is questioning his God. How are members of his congregation supposed to have faith in what he is telling them if he appears to be taking a break from it?
ReplyDeleteBeing an Episcopalian, I found this article very controversial. I dont think that Lawler explains a good enough reason to start to practice Islam. Especially during Lent. I agree with Logan, that being a Christian Preacher this would look horrible to the members of his church. Before Lawler begins to practice Islam he should convert, instead of contradicting himself. This seems like a sad excuse to me.
ReplyDeleteI think their may be more to Lawler's explanation of why he is practicing Islam for lent than is apparent in this article, but either way I do not think it is appropriate to use lent as an excuse to learn more about the Islamic religion. I do not necessarily think it is wrong for a Christian to do what Lawler is doing, as long as it is for the purpose of becoming more aware and learning more about another religion. Being more aware could potentially lead to a better relationship between Muslims and Christians. I agree with the point that you cannot be Muslim and Christian at the same time. They believe different things and practice in their religion in different ways. For an education standpoint I think what Lawler is doing could be very beneficial, but doing it for lent is very controversial.
ReplyDeleteI am also an Episcopalian but I have to disagree with the previous posts. Although Rev. Lawler's way of practicing Lent is a little unconventional to say the least, I don't think it should be judged so quickly. I am not very familiar with Islam, it is my understanding that Allah is the same God as the Christian God, but with a different name. If the priest is praying to Allah five times a day, studying the Quran, and practicing Islamic eating restrictions, it seems to me that these are all things that would be acceptable to the Christian faith. Even though he is not praying directly to Jesus, he is still praying to Allah which seems to have very similar principals. I have always felt that by immersing yourself in the culture of others you not only increase your understanding and tolerance, but you learn more about yourself and what your beliefs and practices mean to you. In short, I definitely understand the backlash to his decision but I think theres another side that shouldn't be ignored.
ReplyDeleteUnderstanding other religions is important in order to defend your own. So, I can understand why this priest would want to experience Islam so that he can say why he thinks that Christianity is the true saving religion. However, I think that he is completely misusing and abusing lent. Lent is designed so that Christians give up something they love and depend on God for the strength to get through this time. This priest, in my opinion, is doing something very wrong and should be focusing on worshipping God.
ReplyDeleteI dont think the preist is abusing lent at all. He had the guts to do what the rest of the Christian community wouldnt.
ReplyDeleteIm going to make a few assuptions in this argument: 1. We are all children of God. 2. A HUGE part of Jesus' message revolved around loving your neighbor. 3. The time of lent is meant to lead one to better understanding (of yourself or others).
It seems that the term love has become diluted over the years. However, If we are all children of God does that not mean we are brothers and sisters? Love within a family is strong. It is unconditional love. Most of all, there is understanding. Members of a family come from the same place and have had the same experiences. Think about how many stories you have of terrible family vacations, or weird uncle earl. This is the type of love I beleive Jesus is talking about. You cannot fully love someone without understanding them. It is impossible.
This priest is striving for understanding. What a better time to do it than Lent? If it is true that experiences are a critical aspect of understanding and that understanding is a critical aspect of love, then I do not see what the priest is doing wrong here. He is loving his neighbor.
As a member of the Christian faith myself, I have heard a multitude of Lenten promises. However, the sacrifice, or experiment in the case of Revered Steve Lawler, is unmatched by any that I have heard before. I agree with Maddy in that the purpose of Lent is to give up something of importance to oneself in the hope of gaining a stronger relationship with Christ. In my personal opinion, the manner in which an individual does so is solely their decision to make because no two people view their relationship with God in the same way. Some individuals, like myself, choose to make trivial sacrifices while others, such as Steve Lawler, take a more drastic approach. In sum, there is no right or wrong way to express a desire to become closer to God. For this reason, I do not view the Reverend's actions as unacceptable but rather as a unique manner of nurturing his relationship with God.
ReplyDelete