Ashley N. Barnett
October 2, 2009
4:00p.m.
Signs of the Times
In Rome, the Catholics have a concern for the African bishops, that the ethnic disputes that have divided the continent for many generations will threaten the unity of the church today. It’s believed that ethnic differences are a great stumbling block that holds back the cohesiveness that need to exist in churches. They want the church to be a mediator among parties in conflict, but Pope Benedict XVI says, that there is no way the church can be a healing and reconciling force in society unless the church is a community of people reconciled with God and among themselves. Cardinal Turkson, Africa’s youngest cardinal, and other bishops are concerned about the growing tendency to politicize religious affiliation.
I don’t know much about Africa and their ethnic guidelines, but I do feel as though if the ethnic disputes have caused many problems in the past then there is a chance that it will still cause problems. Religion and different viewpoints and opinions on religion is starting to get worse than ever before. Its coming a time, like the Bible say, that false teachers, prophets, and main other offices in the church are appearing. So if there were conflict back in the past, I feel like conflict is only going to get worst for the churches in Africa. One thing about bishops, are that they have the highest calling in the church. So if you elect a bishop and things go wrong, then really no one has any control over him but God or whom ever they may worship.
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/signs.cfm
1 comment:
I agree that church conflicts even if some are resolved will only continue to get worse. Religious conflicts are as old as the beginning of time. Religious viewpoints are personal but yet people feel like they are right and everyone else is wrong. I wish people could put the energy that they put into conflicts like this, where no good comes out of it, and put this into working for deprived countries and providing food for starving children. If we can put energy into proving others peoples beliefs where in fact there is no concrete evidence, why can't we do this in debating over healthcare where there is evidence of wrong doing and need for change. If we could all just get along is the phrase that comes to mind when we look at these situations. How many problems does Africa have? Is religious conflict worth the time and effort? When you have a crisis in the Congo where women are raped and oppressed. Why do we let religion get in our way when religion should unite us in out fight to solve other problems. Regardless of your belief isn't a starving child something worth coming together on and putting that first instead of he said she said religion wars.
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