(C) Daily Kos
This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered.
. . . . . . . . . .
David French asks a timely question with the passing of the Pope [1]
['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']
Date: 2025-04-21
What kind of church were you raised in - one that fears the world or one that loves your neighbor? That’s the question David French asks in a powerful essay at The NY Times. (Full access gift link.)
It’s a question that can be asked about any Christian denomination. With the passing of Pope Francis, many are wondering what direction the Catholic Church will take under his successor, but it’s not a question for Catholics only.
French begins with a powerful example of the second kind of church, and then goes on to this:
When I talk to Christians who are struggling with their faith, one of the first things I ask them is, “Were you raised in a fear-the-world church or a love-your-neighbor church?” Most people instantly know what I’m talking about. The culture of the church of fear is unmistakable. You’re taught to view the secular world as fundamentally a threat. Secular friends are dangerous. Secular education is perilous. Secular ideas are bankrupt. And you’re always taught to prepare for the coming persecution, when “they” are going to try to destroy the church. The love-your-neighbor church is fundamentally different. It’s so different that it can sometimes feel like a different faith entirely. The distinction begins with the initial posture toward the world — not as a threat to be engaged, but as a community that we should love and serve.
It’s a critical distinction at a time when America has never been more divided and fear overshadows the land.
[END]
---
[1] Url:
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2025/4/21/2317740/-David-French-asks-a-timely-question-with-the-passing-of-the-Pope?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=trending&pm_medium=web
Published and (C) by Daily Kos
Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified.
via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds:
gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/
