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All posts tagged relativism
Breaching the gate…
Posted by 1catholicsalmon on September 30, 2012
https://1catholicsalmon.wordpress.com/2012/09/30/breaching-the-gate/
Another opportunity to learn, but it’s painful..
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Relativism is the philosophical position that all points of view are equally valid, and that all truth is relative to the individual. This means that all moral positions, all religious systems, all art forms, all political movements, etc., are truths that are relative to the individual.’ (Definition from http://carm.org)
For some time now I’ ve been exposed to someone on a daily basis who seems to sit on the fence pretty much all of the time. The boundaries move constantly. Nothing is set in stone, and everything is questioned. It’s exhausting being around this way of thinking. It’s draining. I think that this situation is so overwhelming to me because I am a Christian with definitive and TRUE beliefs, providing me with boundaries, answers and something to hope for. My understanding of the world around me is governed by my Faith and the structure that it provides. So my convictions remain steadfast, and I aim to make the best decisions in the moment based on my knowledge of what I understand the Lord expects of me. In this way I hope my acquaintances get to respect me as someone true to my word.
A Relativist outlook on life seems to be one where indecision reigns, partnered with quick ‘get-out-quick’ clauses releasing one from all responsibility, sporting little backbone while walking the tight-rope called, ‘I’m OK if you’re OK’ gingerly, in the hope that neutrality will win favour with all. Slowly but surely have I noticed the unravelling of hidden knots release a ball of string that never seems to end.
I have a problem: I am to be around this world view for a long time to come yet, and I ‘m not coping very well. I have bottled things inside to a near bursting point. By nature, I say it as it is, but equally, I’m a Vanguard for keeping the peace. I do not like ‘rocking the boat’. It’s in my genetic make-up and if it means keeping quiet, then I am the first one to back away. A close friend said that ,’Being a Christian does not mean you need to be a doormat’. That hit hard. I do not see myself as a doormat, I just know that I don’t have the confidence to speak up, because I may say something I will regret later. A catch 22 situation.
I have found myself in a similar situation before, and I have yet to learn how to deal with a bully at the moment an infringement upon my basic right to be respected as a fellow human being, takes place. This is crunch-time. I have to make an assertive stand, against put-downs and undermining behaviour, in the name of ‘acceptance ‘ and ‘fairness’ to others. As a way of getting things done in order not to ‘offend’ anyone concerned, with the sole purpose of remaining in ‘everyone’s favour’.
I know I have to be honest to my Faith every time, by challenging relativist notions, and drawing a line in the sand that cannot be crossed. I need to trust my Saviour in the Holy Spirit. I know the journey is going to be unpleasant, but it’s one I have to take.
Posted by 1catholicsalmon on May 19, 2012
https://1catholicsalmon.wordpress.com/2012/05/19/another-opportunity-to-learn-but-its-painful/
The term “Fundamentalist.”
During a conversation recently it was put to me, that a comment a I’d made was considered to be ‘fundamentalist‘. I was taken aback by this judgement. It made me think about how I had approached the conversation and why on earth my comment would’ve possibly been misconstrued as ‘fundamentalist’? As the conversation progressed my thoughts bounced back and forth to my understanding fundamentalism.As it happens, I was sharing concerns about the acceptance of New Age ‘healing’ practises undertaken by Catholics.Exchanging money for services implies that one would accept these practises, surely. At the same time I expressed my disdain at the negative press Christians receive in our secular society, and ended by stating that we as Catholics should be responsible for speaking up about our faith(however insignificant that may seem) and the Truth about it, more than ever. It was at this point that my comment was deemed to be ‘fundamentalist’. I felt uncomfortable with this label and decided to do a little investigation into the definition of the word, hoping to gain fresh insight and understanding of it’s worth.
- Within academic circles, the term is generally used in a precise manner. For example, Author Karen Armstrong defines fundamentalist movements as “embattled forms of spirituality, which have emerged as a response to a perceived crisis” – namely the fear that modernity will erode or even eradicate their faith and morality. 1 That concern is shared by FundamentalistChristians, Jews, and Muslims, Sikhs, and others
- Within Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and other faiths, the media generally use the term to refer to the most conservative wing of the religion. For example, fundamentalist Christianity is often described as the most conservative wing of Evangelicalism.
- However, sometimes the term is used as a general-purpose “snarl” word which is intended to denigrate a religious group, implying that they are intolerant or prone to violence.
In light of the first definition, my comment certainly cannot be described as a fear that modernity will erode or even eradicate my faith and morality. My intention was and is , to highlight the accepted notion in secular society, that most decisions are made relative to one’s needs and circumstances at that one moment in time, and it is accepted that in light of this relativity, decisions need not be held up for scrutiny. Surely Christians always attempt to make decisions based on their knowledge and understanding of their Belief and in light of their role as Christians in society?
My discomfort surfaced when thinking in terms of definition two. Witnessing in favour of grass root foundations of the Faith, means that sometimes my views may be easily dismissed as conservative or right-wing, simply because the issue at hand is blurred through the dirty grey lens of relativity. My question then is, ‘What is my role as a Christian in conversations such as these?’
I finally breathed out slowly on reading definition three. I decided that my comments were clearly rebuked in terms of a general-purpose snarl at my gall for raising a topic that in itself can cause an uncomfortable twitch during conversations.
The term, ‘don’t upset the apple-cart’ springs to mind here.
I know for sure that my contributions should not have been labelled as ‘fundamentalist’. I do hope that in retrospect my concerns raised will encourage further sincere investigation and then be understood as an important principle; a fundamental decision that serves as a choice between being right or wrong.
As a n extra: Over at http://the-hermeneutic-of-continuity.blogspot.com/ you can enjoy reading about new fundamental laws that have just been passed in Hungry. FUNDAMENTAL in the true sense of the word!
Posted by 1catholicsalmon on January 29, 2012
https://1catholicsalmon.wordpress.com/2012/01/29/the-term-fundamentalist/
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