Reflections on the Church and America's New Religions

Archbishop of Los Angeles ^ | Nov 2021 | Most Reverend José H. Gomez

[CondoleezzaProtege]

-First, I want to talk about the wider context of the global movement of secularization and de-Christianization and the impact of the pandemic.

-Second, I want to offer a “spiritual interpretation” of the new social justice and political identity movements in America.

-Finally, I want to suggest some evangelical priorities for the Church as we confront the realities of the present moment.

So, let’s begin.

1. Secularization and De-Christianization

I think we all know that while there are unique conditions in the United States, similar broad patterns of aggressive secularization have long been at work in Spain and elsewhere in Europe.

An elite leadership class has risen in our countries that has little interest in religion and no real attachments to the nations they live in or to local traditions or cultures. This group, which is in charge in corporations, governments, universities, the media, and in the cultural and professional establishments, wants to establish what we might call a global civilization, built on a consumer economy and guided by science, technology, humanitarian values, and technocratic ideas about organizing society.

In this elite worldview, there is no need for old-fashioned belief systems and religions. In fact, as they see it, religion, especially Christianity, only gets in the way of the society they hope to build.

That is important to remember. In practice, as our Popes have pointed out, secularization means “de-Christianization.” For years now, there has been a deliberate effort in Europe and America to erase the Christian roots of society and to suppress any remaining Christian influences.

In your program, you allude to “cancel culture” and “political correctness.” And we recognize that often what is being canceled and corrected are perspectives rooted in Christian beliefs — about human life and the human person, about marriage, the family, and more...

[Alberta's Child]

An elite leadership class has risen in our countries that has little interest in religion and no real attachments to the nations they live in or to local traditions or cultures. This group, which is in charge in corporations, governments, universities, the media, and in the cultural and professional establishments …

The archbishop might also have mentioned that this “elite leadership class” has also polluted OUR CHURCHES.

[daniel1212]

"In your program, you allude to “cancel culture” and “political correctness.” And we recognize that often what is being canceled and corrected are perspectives rooted in Christian beliefs — about human life and the human person, about marriage, the family, and more..."

It essentially comes down to this: if a policy or action that (besides evidential reasons for it) is ultimately based upon faith in deity - specifically the Creator and all-wise God of the Bible - is contrary to a policy or action that (despite evidential reasons against it) is ultimately based upon faith in the all-wise liberal elite gods, then the former is to be disallowed and the body upholding such are to be punished, upon the premise that such is a violation of church and state.

The Founders never foresaw this coming since they were dealing with the basic issue of Congress (not states) establishing a coherent national religion, such as seen in states, but which did not mean government could not affirm religion in general, such as sometimes volitionally offering prayers of supplication and gratitude and exhorting the same as men such as Washington, Lincoln Roosevelt etc. did. Jefferson even had a female evangelist preach in the House, consistent with inclusiveness of religion, versus exclusiveness, but was averse to gov. calling for fast or feast days but which Washington and Lincoln, etc. did. See HISTORICAL QUOTES IN CONTRAST

[Cletus.D.Yokel]

Ping!
Direct link: https://archbishopgomez.org/blog/reflections-on-the-church-and-americas-new-religions

[daniel1212]

" The archbishop might also have mentioned that this “elite leadership class” has also polluted OUR CHURCHES."

And who elected Bergoglio? Yet even the Catholic priesthood is not that of NT pastors - including its separation of bishops and elders.

[Southside_Chicago_Republican]

A good article. Thanks for posting.

[defconw]

Oh this is rich! LMAO!

[alternatives?]

The problem the founders didn’t see was the state imposing on the church. Charity of the church and individuals has been replaced by charity of the state. The state didn’t insist on any moral or behavior requirements for receiving this charity, like the church used to insist on. In fact, the state preached anything goes and is acceptable, if not celebrated. It is easy to see why the state has replaced the church as God in the eyes of many.

Many individuals who cry out about injustices, are leading the the most unrighteous lives. The church should be calling for repentance and changes in lifestyle. The church should be asking why the sinners expect God to answer their prayers given how they are living. That is an unpleasant and difficult message to deliver, particularly when many churches have their own unaddressed sins.

The mistake the state(s) and its worshipers have made is God is a very jealous God. The state(s) and its worshipers should be fearing the wrath of God. They will surely die unless they repent. I see no other outcome.