Christianity and the world at large - Essay Example

Christianity and the World at Large Christianity as one of the oldest religions of the civilized world has made major contributions to the present government and the present lifestyle. For several years, leaders have risen to position because of their solid and dynamic convictions and principles. The likes of Abraham Lincoln and George Washington led the United States of America anchoring on Biblical truths and Christianity as a whole. America still looks back and acknowledges that some of the glorious past of this country were under the leadership of these two figures. However, with the passing of time and the changing of the minds and outlooks of people who followed them, there was finally a time when the Church has been separated from the State. This resulted to the secular and the sectarian groups which tend to oppose each other because one appears to be afraid to go under the influence of the other and vice versa. What then is the proper relationship of the Church, particularly Christianity, and the world at large In other words, where does Christianity enter in the present setting Looking at the Papal Encyclical of Pope Pius IX (http://www.papalencyclicals.net/Pius09/p9quanta.htm), the Church's role is to primarily feed the flock (the followers or believers) and nourish them with doctrine and truth as well as guard them from heresies and erroneous teachings that may damage their faith, purity of morals, and their eternal salvation.1 This encyclical calls all Church leaders to unite and fight against these false teachings which may be the reason for the calamities and misfortune that the whole world is experiencing. It calls for all people to pray for God's mercy and grace to forgive men of depravity and for God's mercy to cover the Church so that it will not get contaminated by the various teachings that arise apart from what the Church teaches. Two of these teachings that are not covered by the Catholic Church are Communism and Darwin's theory of Natural Selection. Communism poses as a threat to the Church with its advocate against capitalism and social construct that include the abolition of religion is considered as one of the bourgeois tool of subjugating the proletariat.2 It calls for a classless society without a religion that controls the minds of the people. Its main aim can be summarized in the following ways: 1. Abolition of property in land and application of all rents of land to public purposes; 2. A heavy progressive or graduated income tax; 3. Abolition of all rights of inheritance; 4. Confiscation of the property of all emigrants and rebels; 5. Centralization of credit in the hands of the state, by means of a national bank with State capital and an exclusive monopoly; 6. Centralization of the means of communication and transport in the hands of the State; 7. Extension of factories and instruments of production owned by the State, the bringing into cultivation of waste-lands, and the improvement of the soil generally in accordance with a common plan; 8. Equal liability of all to work and establishment of industrial armies, especially for agriculture; 9. Combination of agriculture with manufacturing industries, gradual abolition of all the distinction between town and country by a more equable distribution of the populace over the country; and 10. Free education for all children in public schools, abolition of children's factory labor in its present form and combination of education with industrial production (http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1848/communist-manifesto/ch02.htm).3 Since communism is against any form of subjugation, the Church is considered its enemy for a church has leaders, even a hierarchy of elders who would oversee the flock and make sure that no one goes astray. Charles Darwin's teaching of Natural Selection is anchored on the principle of preservation. According to him, natural selection, "on the principle of qualities being inherited at corresponding ages, can modify the egg, seed, or young, as easily as the adult."4 Plainly speaking, this adheres to the belief that modifications should be made on the different species of living things where only the best ones should thrive. In other words, man will have to intervene, in whatever way he thinks is best, in the process of development of species in order to produce the best kind. Darwin claims that "Natural selection leads to divergence of character and to much extinction of the less improved and intermediate forms of life"5 (http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/origin/chapter4.html). The principle of natural selection seems to go against the Church's teaching of creation and the will and sovereignty of God. With man's intervention in the natural flow of things, particularly in nature, this principle threatens the Christian faith and can be considered heresy or false teaching. In the light of these two teachings, what is the proper way in which the Church is supposed to react or respond What has been the usual practice of the Catholic Church is to issue a declaration denouncing any teaching contrary to the teachings of the Church and remind its followers to be careful in order for them not to be deceived. What seems lacking in the picture is a sense of acceptance and respect for the varying opinions and views of other people, denominations and groups. I think the Church must realize that it cannot dictate the minds and outlooks of all people. Christianity in general should put itself in its proper place and not quarrel with other people insisting only on what it thinks is right. The first step is accepting that people of all ages and nations vary in many ways and one of these is their belief and principle in life. By learning to accept others the way they are leads to a better understanding of why they are so different and why they behave in the way they do. Having an open mind can lead to less prejudice and judgmental spirit. The second step is respect. Since people are free to choose what they should believe in, Christianity should not impose on others what it thinks is right or wrong. In other words, to respect other's religious conviction will lead to a more harmonious relationship. It has been said that man is not supposed to do to others what he does not want others to do to him. In this way, if Christianity seeks respect, it should also respect others. Finally, Christianity must not cease to be vigilant. It should continue to be a watchdog, a spiritual eye to the government and the nation as a whole. Although it may not force itself, its very presence will shed light to the world around it and will lead others to know the difference. The Papal Encyclical appropriately did it by reminding the people to focus on the teachings of the Church and by calling the people to pray6. The Church, even today, has a major role to play in the world. By interceding for the entire world to be saved, by remaining pure in words and deeds, it serves as a preservative to this rotting world. Works Cited Chapter 2 from Karl Marx and Frederick Engels' Communist Manifesto. 07 April 2010. Cory and Hollerich. The Christian Theological Tradition. 3rd Edition. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, 2008. Encyclical of Pope Pius IX promulgated on December 8, 1864. 07 April 2010. Summary of Chapter 4 of Charles Darwin's The Origin of Specie. 07 April 2007. Read More