Part 2: United Kingdom

Last updated on: December 17, 2012 at 2:34 am by Andrew Marin

Part 2: United Kingdom 2012-12-17T02:34:32-06:00 Andrew Marin

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

The very first thing out of their mouths:

“The world would be a better place without religion.”

Ouch.

One of the next things they said after I asked what have their experiences been with Christians:

“I haven’t really had any experiences with Christians.”

Ouch again.

Here in the States we constantly hear that England is a Post-Christian world. Broadly speaking, yes, that is what I saw. But what I also saw that shocked me was the extreme passion the Christians had! Every service I went to was a true celebration, and I haven’t been to one of those services in a long time here in America. Until I saw evangelical English services did I realize that American services have become so routine and institutionalized. The freedom and joy, the tears and the hands that were being waved at the English services I was at was beyond refreshing for me to be a part of. But here is the larger point:

Since Christians (especially non-Anglican) are such a small percentage of people in England, it seemed to me that they were more concerned about keeping their tribe that is already on the inside, than they were continuing to build their tribe from the outside in. They have been oppressed. No doubt about it. They have been looked at as irrelevant solely based on their belief in God. 100% correct. I just feel that those bullets they’ve taken has made them a little gun shy to actually engage culture with the belief they can still hold on to their belief system.

Now anyone can look at America and point the finger right back at us for caring more about preaching to the saved than preaching to the non-believers. True. And that is what I’m fighting for the American church to reclaim our identity as authentic Christ-ones; that our Jesus just isn’t inside the four walls of a church building! But the main difference that stuck out to me though, was that from the numbers of straight conservative Christians I talked to in England about the gay community I continued to receive two profound answers that were very consistent among almost everyone I talked to (I’m going to paraphrase here):

Gays and lesbians are such an ingrained part of mainstream culture that their sexuality isn’t a big deal and we’re (Christians) are already over it.

AND

The church isn’t giving the younger generation any theological or practical framework on how to properly engage this topic, and because of that the next generation is scared to say what they believe because they know it won’t be accepted; or they are torn because since there is no framework, how can a traditional interpretation of Scripture actually be lived out in culture when their examples are either dodging the question all together because they don’t want to make a scene or they’re a part of a small minority that thrives on making a scene?

And from my perspective, therein lies the great debate within conservative Christendom in England. Which route is the church going to take – they’re over it (?), are they going to dig their heals in like American Christians have and fight (?), or are they going to try to figure out how to peacefully and productively engage a growing population of people that doesn’t need conservative Christianity to exist?

What are your thoughts?

Much love.

www.themarinfoundation.org

Faith

LGBT

Church

Faith and Homosexuality

United Kingdom

Previous Post

January 5, 2010

Part 1: United Kingdom

Next Post

January 7, 2010 Part 3: United Kingdom

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Book Reviews Bridging Opposing Worldviews Culture Don't Drink and Drive Faith Guest Posts I'm Sorry Campaign Interviews Language Laura Statesir LGBT Living in the Tension Living in the Tension Gatherings Love Is an Orientation Love Is an Orientation Blog Love Is an Orientation Book Love Is an Orientation DVD Melinda Guerra Memory My One Sentence Bible Newsletter Our Last Option Parents & Families Politics Quick Quotes Quotes ReEngaging Civility Sexuality Speaking The Marin Foundation Theology Uncategorized Us Versus Us Videos Warren Perry Youth and Campus Ministry

Select a Month June 2016 May 2016 December 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz