by Rosemary Redfern

Created on: October 08, 2008

Before the question about how territorial Christian clergy are, the concept of what is Christian has to be considered. The second aspect to consider is what is territorial.

Many of Christ's utterances have been overturned by the sayings of Paul. Christ was inclusive and non partisan - suffer the little children to come unto me, his benevolent treatment of Mary Magdalene are examples. All were included in his world. Paul demands that women should be silent and cannot teach. In the modern versions of Christianity this one is taken to be the natural state by many of the branches of Christianity while paying lip service to the words of Jesus.

Unfortunately the teachings of Paul have superseded the words of Christ. Added to that are the layers of man made rules' from each branch of Christianity. The origin of the Nicenean creed is a case in point. Constantine only became a Christian because it was politically convenient yet he threatened the bishops into agreeing. The infallibility of the pope is another case. At a particular time in history is suited someone to make a point and this was enforced violently and subsequent generations have taken it as God given'.

Part of the difficulty here is that few people read the bible in the original languages but accept the translations as accurate. With any translation there are always differing uses of a word and it is curious that Jews make a life time study of the meaning of the words in the bible.

Each group of Christians believe that their version of the faith' is the correct one and there is bitter dispute with other variations. Examples are the differences in doctrine between those who use rituals and those who find them abhorrent. If the language I am using is strong it is because it is reflecting the strength of the feelings of the various groups. You have to be pretty sure you are right to burn humans alive because they don't believe as you do.

With this in mind it is hardly surprising that Christian clergy are too territorial. They have to defend their belief system. The openness evident in the words of Jesus are lost in a dogmatic sticking to the version believed in. For example the Jehovah Witnesses have a version of the bible which excludes what they don't want and the Roman Catholic church are very cautious which of the Dead Sea scrolls are made available to the public.

What is lost in all this verbiage is the concept that humanity is faible and that a/the Christian God is merciful and loving. The Pauline concept is rather more terrifying and therefore the one usually adhered to. People like to be scared.

Learn more about this author, Rosemary Redfern.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.