tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29128991.post5874735825286704682..comments2023-10-10T09:50:34.565-07:00Comments on Find and Ye Shall Seek: Ecclesiastical authorityMystical Seekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10828225180668865911noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29128991.post-84124882044259443442008-05-08T12:58:00.000-07:002008-05-08T12:58:00.000-07:00Denominational loyalty is a funny thing. I know t...Denominational loyalty is a funny thing. I know that many people want to fight the good fight within their denominations in order to reform them. I think it is an admirable endeavor, but I don't have that sense of attachment to any particular denomination (I was brought up in a fundamentalist church that I long ago washed my hands of), so for me there is a different dynamic at work.Mystical Seekerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10828225180668865911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29128991.post-27240454628295115172008-05-08T11:51:00.000-07:002008-05-08T11:51:00.000-07:00I don't see "reactionaries" as being on one end of...I don't see "reactionaries" as being on one end of a horizontal spectrum with progressives on the other. They are usually at a lower stage of spiritual (and often, but not always, cognitive) development. Those are the people to whom authorities cater because they are the ones who are less capable of making judgments on their own.<BR/><BR/>People often ask me why I stay in the Catholic Church. The reason is simple: if all the progressives left, there would only be conservatives (and largely uncommitted moderates). Progressives may not have a lot of decision-making power in the church, but we can have <I>influence</I>. You have to look at the big picture. It's not important to me to have church leaders whose teaching I can accept, because frankly, I'm quite capable of finding things out on my own.PrickliestPearhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07606660660913560540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29128991.post-10015023897473898692008-05-02T05:51:00.000-07:002008-05-02T05:51:00.000-07:00MS,The best answer that I have found is to have tr...MS,<BR/><BR/>The best answer that I have found is to have true grassroots, across-the-board involvement and interest in the process from all people. Then and only then will that power be curbed.<BR/><BR/>The problem is that most people get involved in times of crisis, then become complacent when the crisis is over and end up yielding to the people with stronger interests. For any democracy to work, there is a responsibility of the people to do their part, but I'm not seeing that happen in any institution--religious, government, etc.<BR/><BR/>I'm convinced there is some organic reason why that just doesn't happen (just like there is an organic reason why forms of socialism don't work when implemented, either). Theories are great, but when they don't work out on a consistent basis then maybe its time for a new theory. <BR/><BR/>I do believe that structures are part of the answer, so the idea that the hierarchical structure is contributing to the problem fits into this. I'm just not sure what structures would encourage a more wide spectrum of involvement rather than reactionary.Frank Lhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02703468758526562774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29128991.post-80881083258627989722008-05-01T22:26:00.000-07:002008-05-01T22:26:00.000-07:00Frank,Do you think there is a way of achieving an ...Frank,<BR/><BR/>Do you think there is a way of achieving an institutional reform that would curb the power of reactionaries?<BR/><BR/>Gary,<BR/><BR/>I do have to wonder what these institutions will look like in another 50 or 100 years.Mystical Seekerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10828225180668865911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29128991.post-16842313029934001092008-05-01T15:46:00.000-07:002008-05-01T15:46:00.000-07:00Could it be that in this emerging postmodern world...Could it be that in this emerging postmodern world we are witnessing a subtle implosion of these pre-modern institutions? Given the average age of church parishioners for the mainline churches (at least from my experience), this seems likely.Garyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13969962596576784552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29128991.post-8018621010220906492008-05-01T15:02:00.000-07:002008-05-01T15:02:00.000-07:00Reactionaries have an out-of-proportion level of p...Reactionaries have an out-of-proportion level of power in secular insitutions, as well. Just look at the influence of fundamentalism on American media and government outlets, as an example. <BR/><BR/>I think their level of power has more to do with their ability to focus on a particular end. A group of highly focused, dedicated individuals can often sway a majority of people who have more moderate feelings but are less tied to those opinions.<BR/><BR/>American government is held hostage by special interests as a result--they are willing to do the work to lobby for themselves, and everyone else can vent their complaints but no one is ambitious enough to actually do anything about the special interest lobby, so it stays.<BR/><BR/>I think a similar phenomenon happens in religious institutions.Frank Lhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02703468758526562774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29128991.post-71623934347822125702008-05-01T14:15:00.000-07:002008-05-01T14:15:00.000-07:00Personally, I am happy with a hierarchical arrange...Personally, I am happy with a hierarchical arrangement.<BR/><BR/>At least Christianity hasn't become the sort of bland mush you seem to relish.<BR/><BR/>Where do you get off criticizing other people's religions anyway?<BR/><BR/>I thought you were tolerant and open minded?Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17612999135177842776noreply@blogger.com