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Can One Bishop Save the World From Fundamentalism? (Part II)

© Lynne H. Schultz

Continued From Part I

Spong also tried to explain his conception of God, and what he describes as "the only ways" to worship God and Jesus. Of course, Secular Humanists don't care about worshipping God or Jesus but if other people are going to do so, Spong's methods would do far more good for the world than flying airplanes into buildings, bombing abortion clinics, or even praying. Spong's argument is that because God is the source of life, love, and the "ground of being", we should, respectively, worship by living life fully, giving love wastefully (regardless of the target or cause), and being the best person one can be. Setting aside the metaphysical claims concerning God and the need for worship, the rest is beautiful and wonderfully compatible with Humanism. From the Affirmations again:

· "We believe in enjoying life here and now and in developing our creative talents to their fullest...
· "We believe in...love instead of hatred, compassion over selfishness...
· "We believe in the fullest realization of the best and noblest that we are capable of as human beings..."

Bishop Spong also added that we should live in such a way so that every single person on earth can live fully, love wastefully, and be all that s/he can be, in order to "step beyond our fears and into a more complete kind of humanity." Humanism teaches that, "...There are normative standards that we discover together. Moral principles are tested by their consequences..." and that Humanists "...believe in...tolerance in the place of fear" and "attempt to...strive to work together for the common good of humanity." (The Humanist Affirmations.)

This "New View of Christianity" that Bishop Spong presents is not likely to change the metaphysical stance of Humanists or atheists, but if successful, it would demolish the destructive influence of fundamentalism on Christianity that exists even within mainstream denominations. More than that, such an effort could magnify and accelerate the positive side of Christianity and create a Christianity that is more humane and socially progressive than it has ever been. It would allow Christians and Humanists to share much more common ground than before.

I began this essay remembering the sadness of the events last year, caused in part by Islamic extremism. In the U.S., we can expect an increase in politically strategic public piety this month, perhaps coupled with further efforts at redbaiting by Christian fundamentalists, and efforts by politicians to erode our civil liberties in the name of security. However, perhaps I can end by suggesting that there is hope. History tells us that social progress is real, and that popular religions do eventually become more liberal over time. Spong could take this process to a whole new level, and someday there might even be a successful Muslim counterpart to Christianity's Bishop Spong.