I've been really into The Blues Brothers lately (really great movie, awesome music, fantabulous cameos, fun car chase scenes). Anyways, in this movie the main driving point for the characters is that they're on a "mission from God", and interestingly they have both Roman Catholic and Southern Gospel influences for this with little clear differentiation between the two. They both are just part of "the church". I was wondering, does the general "secular" population see Christianity as one uniform body, or more like what's potrayed on shows like The Simpsons (also great, but that goes without saying) where ministers from specific denominations pick fights over petty differences? I can't even guess at how "they" see us because I'm in the church. Any thoughts on that?
posted by Kristine @ 10:55 AM
First off, I'd like to point out something here... you used a pun (however unintentional it may have been). After mentioning the Blues Brothers, you said "main driving point" (yes, DRIVING point).
Anywho, I think that there are some people that think that Catholisism, Pentacostalism, Protestantism and other denominations are different religions. Some people may ask "Are you Christian or catholic?"
I understand that some practices and beliefs are different, but still they hold the same foundational principles. Also, there's some things that some denominations have that others don't (adds the value of learning from each other).
To sum up, I don't think that most people (specifically the majority of those who are unfamiliar with Christianity) would see it as one big religion. The divisions would look too different that they may see each as different religions (and concerning some people, they would be close to being right because there are those, even within Christianity, that don't realize the importance of differences).
I think one major problem has come from independent charismatic churches in America. These churches don't take on any name or denomination, but merely lable themselves "christian". It's come to the point where if someone ASKS if you're christian they don't mean are you baptist or catholic or methodist or episcopal, it means are you a member of a non-denominational fundementalist church. They've basicly hijacked the term for a whole CLASS of religions and numerous denominations... becuase now you are catholic but not CHRISTIAN... or you are presbitarian but not CHRISTIAN... and BECUASE (getting back to one of your earlier posts) this is really a specific population with specific values, they have consoladated to form a political force as well as a religious one.
I think if you ask most people in america, what does a CHRISTIAN act/ look like, they'll talk about fundementalists, right wing politics, denial of science, and 'traditional roles and values'