Religion

cbayer

(146,218 posts) Sat Oct 19, 2013, 01:46 PM Oct 2013

Pastor’s denial of baby dedication reflects poor theology [View all]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/local/wp/2013/10/18/pastors-denial-of-baby-dedication-reflects-poor-theology/

AP Photo/Detroit News, David Guralnick

Rahiel Tesfamariam

October 18

Prominent pastor Marvin Winans of Perfecting Church in Detroit joins a growing list of preachers who have recently made headlines for taking theological positions that do not seem to be in the best interest of the people they were appointed to serve. Winans’ church allegedly denied single mother Charity Grace’s request to have her 2-year-old son included in an upcoming baby dedication at the church.

How does a mother who says she wants to “instill values and morals in [her] son based upon the word of God” get turned away? While many people will point to this incident as evidence of the church’s never-ending hypocrisy, it’s not faith that is to blame here.

Elitist, patriarchal theology is the problem. And we all need to play a part in correcting this behavior among our pastors and religious leaders.

Winans has not yet commented, but I’m sure he genuinely believes he is reflecting the “will of God.” Without getting into scriptural interpretation, it’s safe to say that the alienating nature of the church’s decision doesn’t reflect the radical inclusion displayed by Jesus Christ in biblical accounts. In contrast to setting boundaries that left people on the outskirt’s of community, Christ’s ministry sought to bring people in.

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Pastor’s denial of baby dedication reflects poor theology [View all] cbayer Oct 2013 OP

So much for ... rustysgurl Oct 2013 #1

No kidding gopiscrap Oct 2013 #4

I am an agnostic but have a fairly good knowledge of the bible pennylane100 Oct 2013 #2

I think the best thing to do is to shine light on him. cbayer Oct 2013 #5

Does that hold for mosques and temples, as well? Igel Oct 2013 #19

"Whosoever shall receive one such child in my name receiveth me." Matthew 18:5 raging moderate Oct 2013 #26

Another is "The Sabbath is made for man, not man for the Sabbath" Mark 2:27 Fortinbras Armstrong Oct 2013 #38

I totally agree gopiscrap Oct 2013 #3

Mr Winans could notice that our Saint Mary was in a family way irregularly too and that struggle4progress Oct 2013 #6

The irony here is absurd, isn't it. cbayer Oct 2013 #7

I suspect him, at least, of being an uninspired reader of his texts, which seem to me struggle4progress Oct 2013 #8

"it’s not faith that is to blame here." dimbear Oct 2013 #9

Pope Francis on .. unmarried mothers ... (Guardian 13 Mar 2013) struggle4progress Oct 2013 #10

Of course none of this would matter skepticscott Oct 2013 #12

Winans doesn't seem to be Catholic, and the Pope's statements predate the Charity Grace case struggle4progress Oct 2013 #13

Who said I was talking about Charity Grace? Obviously I wasn't. skepticscott Oct 2013 #14

#10 is a quote from the current Pope back when he was still Archbishop: the full quote does not struggle4progress Oct 2013 #15

Whether or not his faith is "standard" is irrelevant Act_of_Reparation Oct 2013 #16

"misrepresentation in #9 of Winans' attitude as standard Christian faith" ? dimbear Oct 2013 #17

My comments in #12 bear NO relation to the story in #11? skepticscott Oct 2013 #18

What people do you know have "hysterical fears about needing to get their children baptized"? rug Oct 2013 #20

Skepticscott has nothing substantial to add Fortinbras Armstrong Oct 2013 #39

Why is it important for a child to be baptized? Bradical79 Oct 2013 #33

I can't see much point to arguing with you on this subject: you're certainly free struggle4progress Oct 2013 #35

You brought it up Bradical79 Oct 2013 #36

It's not my OP. And my #13 was a response to #12, which sought to blame the entire matter struggle4progress Oct 2013 #37

s4p, you're the one who brought the pope's position into the discussion! trotsky Oct 2013 #40

Why is it Catholic bashing skepticscott Nov 2013 #41

Such an exciting conversational prospect! You promise to regard whatever I say as an amusing dodge! struggle4progress Nov 2013 #42

And you come through like a trooper skepticscott Nov 2013 #43

+1000 nt PassingFair Oct 2013 #23

Pope calls single mother, offers to baptize her child (Sept 2013) struggle4progress Oct 2013 #11

I'm so glad Catholic clergy pulled this sort of BS when my father wanted me baptized. AtheistCrusader Oct 2013 #21

There are other churches who will welcome the mother and child. No Vested Interest Oct 2013 #22

Emperor Constantine, called Constantine the Great and a Saint in the Eastern Church was dimbear Oct 2013 #24

Actually, it's very doubtful okasha Oct 2013 #25

That Bronze Age book Mr. Winans thinks he follows says ALL people are sinners, one way or another. raging moderate Oct 2013 #27

Godly rebuke is not judgmental… sophia_petty Oct 2013 #28

Welcome to the religion room. As a Christian I find it more important that the clergy show the love hrmjustin Oct 2013 #29

LOL trotsky Oct 2013 #30

Jesus was conceived outside of wedlock, and only because Joseph was a Godly man.... moriah Oct 2013 #31

welcome to DU gopiscrap Oct 2013 #32

In order to decide whether or not to rebuke, the pastor must judge whether or not he thinks it neede uppityperson Oct 2013 #34