If there is to be a reformation, it should start with a repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery, a series of three 15th-century Papal bulls that granted ownership of everything — and everyone — on planet earth to the subjects of the Pope. Written by Pope Nicholas V (1 and 2) and Pope Alexander VI. Since we’re talking about Renaissance Christians, we’re talking about white Europeans. With time and use, the Doctrine of Discovery cemented the belief that specific groups of people are fully human (white, Catholic/Christian men) and others are not — and that this is the natural order of things. These beliefs influenced scholarship, translations of the bible, and political movements.
I believe this doctrine is also directly responsible for the evils of racism, misogyny, as well as the hatred and violence against anyone not white, heterosexual, and cisgender. The patriarchal catholic church started this ball rolling, it was picked up and magnified by conservatives, fundamentalists, and white supremacists with no religion other than racial purity. Until it is consigned to the trash heap of history...
THE IMAGE OF GOD HAS BEEN A LIFELONG STRUGGLE AND CALLING FOR ME. I STRUGGL WITH THE VIEW THAT A HITLER OR PERSON LIKE HIM HAS THE IMAGE OR CONNECTS TO IT AT ALL. I AM JUDGMENTAL WHEN I ELY ON MY OWN VIEWS AND NOT TO THE CALL FOR EXPERIENCING THE IMAGE OF GOD IN EVERYONE.
Thank you for writing such a powerful and important essay. Yes, we desperately need a deeper and more profound understanding of what it means to be made in the image of God. What a helpful and encouraging article that I'll be passing along to friends today.
Thank you for an insightful commentary. I agree with your viewpoints. I am especially interested in the intersection between internet technology, human psychology and spirituality.
If there is to be a reformation, it should start with a repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery, a series of three 15th-century Papal bulls that granted ownership of everything — and everyone — on planet earth to the subjects of the Pope. Written by Pope Nicholas V (1 and 2) and Pope Alexander VI. Since we’re talking about Renaissance Christians, we’re talking about white Europeans. With time and use, the Doctrine of Discovery cemented the belief that specific groups of people are fully human (white, Catholic/Christian men) and others are not — and that this is the natural order of things. These beliefs influenced scholarship, translations of the bible, and political movements.
I believe this doctrine is also directly responsible for the evils of racism, misogyny, as well as the hatred and violence against anyone not white, heterosexual, and cisgender. The patriarchal catholic church started this ball rolling, it was picked up and magnified by conservatives, fundamentalists, and white supremacists with no religion other than racial purity. Until it is consigned to the trash heap of history...
THE IMAGE OF GOD HAS BEEN A LIFELONG STRUGGLE AND CALLING FOR ME. I STRUGGL WITH THE VIEW THAT A HITLER OR PERSON LIKE HIM HAS THE IMAGE OR CONNECTS TO IT AT ALL. I AM JUDGMENTAL WHEN I ELY ON MY OWN VIEWS AND NOT TO THE CALL FOR EXPERIENCING THE IMAGE OF GOD IN EVERYONE.
Thank you for writing such a powerful and important essay. Yes, we desperately need a deeper and more profound understanding of what it means to be made in the image of God. What a helpful and encouraging article that I'll be passing along to friends today.
Thank you for an insightful commentary. I agree with your viewpoints. I am especially interested in the intersection between internet technology, human psychology and spirituality.