And now for something completely different

[lalouve]

As we are about to establish gender-neutral marriage in Sweden, some of the churches are having rather predictable conniptions. They claim not only that we are deserting our Christian heritage (symbolised by the 3-4% who attend church with any regulairty) but also that this is the end of our prosperity and peace. Disaster will strike us now that we

Comments

[sollersuk]

If it's any help to you, here are two thoughts from "my daughter the theologian":

1. There are plenty of references in the New Testament to the effect that the Old Testament isn't really relevant to Christians, except as background reading.

2. The centurion whose slave Christ heals: she says the term used by the centurion to express how he feels about the slave is one with sexual connotations, and readers at the time would take it as meaning that they were lovers.

How do the preachers view widows remarrying? There's a lot in the New Testament against it.

[lalouve]

I will admit to a sneaking fondness for some of the prophets, even if they're Old Testament. Straight talkers for God is often very much like fun to read. Interesting about the centurion, must go look up when I'm home and have access to Greek original. I've always liked that story.

Most preachers are against divorce, but seem to have no problem with widows remarrying. They are almost embarrassingly Protestant in their enthusiasm for marriage, provided partners are of different genders.

[sollersuk]

Funny, that, about widows, since the New Testament is so firm about the matter. The only justification given there is financial support, and if the Christian community is doing things right they shouldn't need to remarry! Selective, aren't they, your preachers?

(Oh, and MDTT is as Protestant as they come, more so than is usual for someone brought up in the Church of England!)

[lalouve]

Very selective. They tend to belong to the Protestant type that finds a house in the suburbs and 2,5 children a necessary part of Christian life - thus remarriage of widows is supported. Though I do think Paul encourages young widows to remarry, as they will be unable to focus on religion anyway?

[aquaeri]

I'm positively ashamed to be Scandinavian (or ex-) when some of them think the tsunami is all about dead Scandinavian tourists (or tourists of any kind, really).

[lalouve]

Yes - without in any way disparaging the trauma of losing family and friends to the tsunami, it would be good to recognise that other groups suffered, and often suffered even worse, losing their homes and livelihoods in addition to family.