Conflict

In our modern Christian Church we are experiencing schism over issues that tend to center around the notions of Gay Ordination and Gay Marriage.  Those on the affirming side, which i consider myself to be on, there is the notion that the church's call to radical inclusiveness overarches the few places in the bible where male homosexuality is condemned (only male homosexuality is condemned).  On the other side, there is strong feeling that affirming homosexuality in the way that allowing gay ordination, and even more so gay marriage, weaken the church and pull it away from the bible.  There is very much a hate the sin, but love the sinner approach to many on this side, but they are unable to affirm homosexuality in a way that counters their interpretation of the bible, in other words, the church must keep standards even if it is not always pleasant.  

It is not uncommon for the church to be divided on issues, dating from at least the second century there is clear evidence of schisms and strong handing by those in position of authority and influence.  Even in the letters of Paul (dating from as early as 40 AD) we see obvious signs of differing opinions on how to interpret chrisitainity.

Most schisms have occurred over purely theological concerns, where the arguments never leave the discussions of academics and church leaders, rarely affecting the day to day life of most believers.  There have been other times though when people were unduly affected by the controversies.  Notably, in paul we see discussions of the way to include gentiles, eventually including gentiles.  The arguments over abolition caused schisms, eventually sided with abolitionists.  I have to believe that the church will eventually side with gay rights, as it has in the past with other civil rights.  If we are truly a church that is reformed and always reforming, then we will gather a common understanding of the full inclusion of gay members.

That being said, schism and controversy are a central element of the christian church, and maybe all faith traditions.  We have to learn to be at peace with that schism.  When it comes to people's lives, i believe that the christian idea of inclusion will prevail, but when it comes to theological concerns, we will never all fully agree.

Christianity is really a collection of churches or villages, that each exist in a different set of realities.  A small rural church exists in a different world than a large urban church.  This is OK.  We as christians are allowed to disagree, we as different faith traditions throughout the world are also allow to disagree.  How to we truly draw lines in the sand, each village(church) must exist with itself, with all the diversity and all the reality it faces.

If we are on the left handed path we have to remember this, we have to remember that there is no one absolute way that will work for everyone.  There are archetypal similarities that exist amongst religions, and there are broad stroke themes that are crucial, but the specifics vary, regardless of denomination, culture or religion.  Our job becomes to listen and to discover, not so much as a complete outsider, but as a welcomed visitor, to discover what it is that is unique about that village(church) and why they believe what they believe.  Questions help people better understand their own traditions, the answers may not come easily, but if they are asked out of love, they can only help.  Asking questions though that lead a person to think a certain way are useless, they can only come from a genuine place of curiosity and love.   When we can gain a greater understanding of traditions, and why they exist, then we grow stronger in faith.