A Citizen muses…
As a Christian citizen of Australia, I get the distinct sense that I am living in an increasingly post-Christian country. The majority of Australians no longer consider traditional Christian doctrines (eg, the doctrine of sin) or traditional Christian ethics (eg, biblical sexual morality) to be relevant in the post- modern world. Christians who do espouse these beliefs are labeled intolerant and even hateful.
Given the fact that Australia is a democracy, the beliefs of the majority affect the lives of the minority, socially, culturally, and politically. This reality makes it increasingly important for Christians to figure out the best way to voice their Christian convictions and enact Christian love in the 'Marketplace of Ideas'. I use this phrase to refer to our public life—the places where we speak, act, debate, dialogue, and exchange ideas about the best ways to organize our communities, cities, states, and nation.
Certain people—such as politicians, lawyers, and journalists—find that their jobs are inherently oriented to the Market place. However, those persons are not the only ones who have the opportunity to participate in the public square. Each of us can be actively involved in shaping public life. As Christians, the question that arises immediately concerns the relationship between our personal religious beliefs and our shared public life: Should we bring our Christianity with us to the public square or should we leave it home?
No comments:
Post a Comment