http://christandpopcultpolitics.blogspot.com/2012/01/christian-contradiction.html
In
“A Christian Contradiction” Aderola talks about religion never
finding a home in popular culture, that it is an 'ever morphing
entity' while religion remains static. I, however, can see many
examples of religion adapting to changes in society. It may not be
as fluid as popular culture but religion is always adapting to the
direction of society.
For
instance, Christianity underwent great changes in the 20th
century. Up until 1930 Protestant denominations held the same stance
as the Catholic church on contraception, that it was sinful and
wrong. The churches stance, however, changed with the Lambeth
Conference of Bishops in 1930 when the Anglican church, followed by
other Protestant denominations, caved to growing social pressure to
condone the use of contraceptives. This change is consistent with an
overall trend in the culture of western society which has become more
open to the idea of contraception and 'the choice' for women to
control their own pregnancy. The overarching cultural trend saw the
invention of 'the pill” and the creation of Planned Parenthood all
within two decades.
The
Christian faith itself isn't static as there are over 30,000
denominations with a large variety of creeds and people.
Unitarianism, for example is a much more liberal Christian
denomination when compared to Catholicism and stands in stark
contrast. Unitarians believe that Jesus was not God, that he
represents an exemplar model for living one's own life, that original
sin is not a part of human nature, and that the Bible was divinely
inspired. Different denominations reflect a Christian culture
which has changed over time responding to a change in culture and
beliefs of people.
Within
the popular culture and popular music context Christianity is very
much at home. The Gospel music industry grossed approximately 750
million dollars in America in 1995 according to The
Economist.
In a nation where over 70% of the population identifies themselves
as Christian, religion cannot be cleanly separated from politics,
music, or societal values.
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