FOOD FOR THOUGHT

While we sit on our couches watching TV or doing yoga instead there are constant ongoing changes impacting our society.

Many have to do with moral standards, religious dogma, ethnic relationships, and economic classifications, not to consider the great geopolitical turmoil that is enmeshing all of us.

Perhaps the just concluded Vatican Synod is an example. Under Pope Francis’s enlightened leadership the Bishops have concurred that some modification of the Church’s stance on homosexuality and divorce is needed in this the 21st Century.

According to the BBC: “The tone of a preliminary position paper drawn up by about 200 bishops after a week of closed-door discussions shows compassion and understanding not only towards people in single-sex unions, but also to heterosexual couples who live together without marrying and divorced couples who enter a second marriage without bothering to obtain a Church annulment.

The bishops made it clear that there can be no change in basic Catholic teaching on the permanence of the marriage bond, and insist that a valid marriage can only be between a man and a woman.”

There will be no final statement now. First the Cardinals with the Pope will review the findings of the Synod and in Oct. 2015 the Synod will reconvene and make a final decision.

The changes in religion is a subject for another blog.  What happened in Rome is characteristic of changes that are going on in various religions. To survive any religion has to evolve in a manner that reflects the times as long as its basic tenets are maintained.This is reflected in society itself.

There was a long article in a recent NY Times about how various ethnic groups after immigrating to the USA tend to congregate in   separate self-contained units. They all tended to have a church of the same faith as in their homeland.

However as neighborhoods grew older their demographics changed and the congregations dwindled in size. Individual churches that survived did so by encouraging the newcomers of different ethnic origins to attend their services. Those congregations that welcomed them also encouraged their membership to intermix.

The net result was soon a homogenous community no longer heterogeneous.  A community that no longer had an “It’s us or them” philosophy became a successful attractive place for all races and religions to live.  

This homogeneity does not have to start in a church but with people with a genuine interest in society and community. It should not be that only certain ethnic groups get the jobs, but that the most qualified is the job holder.

The three Rs; Race, Religion, and Residency should not be a criteria in a progressive municipality.

If Plainfield would depend on merit no one would be able to look upon Cranford, Westfield, Fanwood, and Scotch Plains in envy.

If I do not post comments it is because I am busy with my family. Perhaps all will return to normal Monday.