The crusades are quite possibly the most misunderstood event in European history. Most of what passes for public knowledge about it is either misleading or just plain wrong
The reason the American Church today stands accused of hypocrisy is that it has been teaching one thing, while a small but significant body of its priests including some bishops has been flagrantly violating that teaching. How can people who studied long and prayed hard before taking vows turn in such a direction, with a full-scale ideology to rationalize it? How can that happen? It could not have happened without a culture of "dissent," a culture that has, at its heart, a teaching of contempt for "Rome."
Every January, the International Bulletin of Missionary Research publishes a Statistical Table on Global Mission a detailed look at the world religious situation prepared by the mathematically indefatigable David Barrett. Browsing his numbers reveals more than a few interesting things.
I am in no sense soft on the issue of child abuse. My concern over the pedophile priest issue is not to defend evil clergy, or a sinful church, but I am worried that justified anger over a few awful cases might be turned into ill-focused attacks against innocent clergy.
The recent pedophile problems in various U.S. Catholic dioceses, especially Boston, have led predictably to a new wave of questions about priestly celibacy. Let us be clear: There is no relation between the vow of priestly celibacy and the incidence of pedophilia among Catholic priests.
The Crusades, of course, are a far more complicated series of events in history than the anti-Catholic statements of early Protestant historians would suggest. The Crusades should be understood within the context of the times and by their reality, rather than through the myths created for purposes of propaganda.
By looking at the past - our own past and the common history we share with Islam and other religious traditions - and by judging it honestly and rigorously, but without fear or rancor, we serve the truth that makes us free. We "contribute to the path of reconciliation," however difficult that might be.
In case you havent already noticed, for some years there has been a growing effort in diverse educational and cultural circles to paint Christian history as a blot on human existence. If you have been annoyed at some of the things that your children have been picking up in school, or have not known how to respond to criticisms of Christianity that seems wildly off-base do not miss Vincent Carroll and David Shifletts new book Christianity on Trial; Arguments Against Anti-Religious Bigotry. It is a comprehensive, systematic, and fair-minded examination of the facts, a truly remarkable achievement. Here is an excerpt from the introduction to the book and Robert Royals inspiring review.
Whatever problems the world faces and environmental concerns are indeed legitimate reproductive rights are not the solution. The U.N. Population Fund would do a lot better to fight for economic justice and balanced development. Adequate income for families and access to decent education and jobs are what people most need.
Secularized feminism raises excellent questions but cannot answer them, says an American theologian who points to a Christian feminism as an antidote.
