General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: I fell that if someone believes in God, goes [View all]gratuitous
(82,849 posts)Yes, sometimes tradition is an excuse to justify a present injustice. It's at that point that the individual is obliged to speak up to the congregation or for a congregation to speak up within the denomination. Further study and discussion can end that injustice, particularly in congregational denominations. Changes in practice, policy or procedure in any large organization is a process. Hierarchical denominations can be more resistant to change, but when change does come under that model its effect is sweeping. Congregational denominations often effect change in a piecemeal fashion as a new practice takes hold.
Tradition informs many present practices (both inside and outside Christendom), that aren't oppressive or unjust. For example, congregations in the Church of the Brethren practice feet washing. It's mentioned in the Bible, but it's not an established tradition in most other denominations. At that, the practice of feet washing in the Church of the Brethren varies from congregation to congregation and even within congregations over time. Not every faith practice gets reinvented or refashioned with each passing year, and as practices are established, they gain the force of tradition over the years. It would be exhausting and paralyzing to a congregation to begin each day with a complete review of every practice. Yes, we're still going to have worship on Sundays; that's not something we're going to examine and reaffirm every week.