Homework help please!

[stillwaterla]

Hey there everyone,

First time poster, long time reader.

My name is John, and I attend California State University of Long Beach. I'm currently in a religious studies class and we're required to ask clergymen of major sects their opinions on a few things. I was wondering if someone of the Christian faith could help me answer a few questions.

1. Given American religious diversity, how important do you think tolerance
is? Why?

2. In your tradition, what is the proper attitude toward the poor and those
who struggle to make a modest living?

3. Do you think religious bodies in America today are largely ethnically
homogenous? Why?

4. Do you think American religious diversity will grow and proliferate in
the next three decades?

Thank you so much everyone, I appreciate all your help!

John

 

[sojourner]

Hey there everyone,

First time poster, long time reader.

My name is John, and I attend California State University of Long Beach. I'm currently in a religious studies class and we're required to ask clergymen of major sects their opinions on a few things. I was wondering if someone of the Christian faith could help me answer a few questions.

1. Given American religious diversity, how important do you think tolerance
is? Why?

2. In your tradition, what is the proper attitude toward the poor and those
who struggle to make a modest living?

3. Do you think religious bodies in America today are largely ethnically
homogenous? Why?

4. Do you think American religious diversity will grow and proliferate in
the next three decades?

Thank you so much everyone, I appreciate all your help!

John

1) Tolerance is important because we are increasingly becoming aware of the universal nature of God, religious principles, and the human family. We are not so different as we would like to think!

The Bible speaks of the Church as the Body of Christ. It speaks of the Church as being in unity. That is the nature of the Church. Therefore, the division we perceive is a division of our own making. The real truth is that, despite our attempts to divide ourselves, the Church remains undivided in its devotion to Christ, and especially in its nature, which is the Body of Christ.

2) That they are as beloved as we are -- that they, in their struggle, are blessed of God. We are bound by baptismal covenant to seek and serve Christ in all people, loving our neighbor as ourself.

3) I think that's true, but I think it's increasingly becoming less so, especially in cities where ethnic diversity is becoming more a way of life. We tend to gather with those with whom we feel a "sameness." While ethnicity remains a hallmark of cultural identity, we will always have difficulty crossing that line to include others who seem "different" from us in some way.

4) Yes. Not so much in theology as in praxis.

Hope you find this helpful! BTW, I am a clergy person in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).