TAKING SIDES: Clashing Views on Controversial Issues in Religion
PART 1. Philosophical Issues
ISSUE 1. Does God Exist?
YES: William Paley, from Natural Theology; or, Evidences of the Existence and Attributes of the Deity, Collected From the Appearances of Nature, 14th ed.
NO: Sally Morem, from "Does God Exist?" Religious Humanism
William Paley (1743-1805), Christian philosopher and archdeacon of the Anglican Church, concludes that just as an intelligent watchmaker is the only explanation for the existence of an intricate watch, only an intelligent creator could be responsible for the even more complex creation of humankind. Sally Morem, author and current president of Humanists of Minnesota, provides contemporary arguments against both "intelligent design" (like Paley's position) and the moral arguments for the existence of God. Morem asks, If an omniscient, omnipotent God is the creator, why is there so much of creation that is poorly constructed?
ISSUE 2. Can Evil Exist and There Still Be a God?
YES: John Hick, from Evil and the God of Love, rev. ed.
NO: B. C. Johnson, from The Atheist Debater's Handbook
John Hick, theologian and philosopher at the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom, asserts that God allows evil to exist as a means of enabling humankind to struggle in the process of gaining spiritual maturity. He argues that opposition, pain, and sorrow are all a necessary part of what he describes as "soul making". Author B. C. Johnson counters that the existence of evil proves the nonexistence of God--for if God exists and God is good, he would not allow evil to possess such a powerful influence.
ISSUE 3. Does God Have Absolute Knowledge of the Future?
YES: Stephen N. Williams, from "What God Doesn't Know: Were the Biblical Prophecies Mere Probabilities?" Books & Culture
NO: John Sanders, from "Theological Lawbreaker? A Response to Stephen Williams," Books & Culture
Stephen N. Williams, professor of systematic theology at Union Theological College in Belfast, Northern Ireland, provides a defense against the theory of open theism, which proposes that God's knowledge of the future is limited. Williams defends the classical view of God's omniscience, stating that God's knowledge of the past, present, and future is absolute. John Sanders, associate professor of philosophy and religion at Huntington College in Huntington, Indiana, defends the "openness of God" theory, stating that God's knowledge is not omniscient in the traditional sense. Sanders asserts that while God does have complete knowledge of the past and present, his knowledge of the future is not complete because it is subject to humankind's exercise of free will.
ISSUE 4. Can Morality Exist Without Religion?
YES: John Arthur, from "Religion, Morality, and Conscience," in John Arthur, ed., Morality and Moral Controversies, 4th ed.
NO: Leo Tolstóy, from On Life and Essays on Religion, trans. Aylmer Maude
John Arthur, professor of philosophy at the State University of New York at Binghamton asserts that religion is not necessary for a people to be moral. In addition to providing arguments against religion as a necessary "moral motivation" and as the source of truth, Arthur also asserts that morality is inherently social and is learned from interacting with others. Leo Tolstóy (1828-1910), moral philosopher and author of the classics War and Peace and Anna Karenina, argues for the necessity of God and religion in the existence of morality. Tolstóy contends that truth originates with God and that humankind must look to God (through religion) for continued guidance. PART 2. Doctrinal Issues
ISSUE 5. Is There Only One Way to Receive Salvation?
YES: Keith E. Johnson, from "Do All Paths Lead to the Same Destination?" Leadership University, http://www.leaderu.com/wri/articles/paths.html
NO: John Hick, from "Whatever Path Men Choose Is Mine," in Richard J. Plantinga, ed., Christianity and Plurality: Classic and Contemporary Readings
Keith E. Johnson, regional coordinator for Ongoing Theological Education with the Campus Ministry of City Colleges of Chicago, Illinois, asserts that while other religious traditions provide a supportive community and important ethical and moral teachings, salvation can only be found through faith in Jesus Christ. John Hick, theologian and philosopher of religion, is the author of what has come to be known as the pluralistic hypothesis. He argues that all religions are simply differing manifestations of the same ultimate reality. Hick maintains that salvation can be found through following God in whatever form we find him (or her).
ISSUE 6. Is Acceptance of Christ Alone Sufficient for Salvation?
YES: Charles C. Ryrie, from So Great Salvation: What It Means to Believe in Jesus Christ
NO: John F. MacArthur, Jr., from Faith Works: The Gospel According to the Apostles
Charles C. Ryrie, former president and current professor at Philadelphia Biblical University, argues that "good works" are not in any way a part of salvation--salvation is obtained exclusively through the grace of Christ. While Ryrie believes that most people who accept Christ will manifest their acceptance of Him through good works, others will not. John F. MacArthur, Jr., president of The Master's College in Santa Clarita, California, and host of the Grace to You radio ministry, asserts that verbally accepting Christ is not sufficient for salvation. He believes that genuine acceptance of Christ is manifest through repentance and a sincere desire to live a moral life. MacArthur contends that those who have truly accepted Christ will manifest their commitment through their good works.
ISSUE 7. Was Jesus Christ the Son of God?
YES: N. T. Wright, from "The Divinity of Jesus," in Marcus J. Borg and N. T. Wright, The Meaning of Jesus: Two Visions
NO: Marcus J. Borg, from "Jesus and God," in Marcus J. Borg and N. T. Wright, The Meaning of Jesus: Two Visions
N. T. Wright, canon theologian of Westminster Abbey and former dean of Lichfield Cathedral, argues for the divinity of Jesus. He maintains that faith and scholarship need not be mutually exclusive with respect to the debate over the divinity of Jesus Christ. Wright defends his position against the assertions of participants in the Jesus Seminar. Marcus J. Borg, professor of religion and culture at Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon, and a fellow of the Jesus Seminar, asserts that historical evidence does not support Jesus as being divine. A practicing Christian, Borg acknowledges Jesus as a great teacher and an embodiment of truth but not as the divine Son of God.
ISSUE 8. Is the Family Primary in God's Plan?
YES: Michael Gold, from "Family: A Spiritual Guide," Address Given at the World Congress on Families II, Geneva, Switzerland
NO: Stanley Hauerwas, from "The Family as a School for Character," in Gabriel Palmer-Fernandez, comp., Moral Issues: Philosophical and Religious Perspectives
Michael Gold, a Jewish rabbi who heads Temple Beth Torah in Tamarac, Florida, argues for the primacy of the traditional family in God's plan. Gold believes that the rescue of our decaying culture is dependent upon returning to the traditional family structure where moral values can be properly taught and modeled. Stanley Hauerwas, professor of theological ethics at Duke Divinity School in Durham, North Carolina, believes the family to be of great importance, but he states that it is not primary to God's plan. Hauerwas reasons from Scripture that it is the church that is primary and not the family. Putting the family first would be a form of idolatry, he concludes. PART 3. Social Issues
ISSUE 9. Is Abortion Wrong?
YES: The Vatican, from "1974 Declaration on Procured Abortion," in Lloyd Steffen, ed., Abortion: A Reader
NO: Daniel C. Maguire, from "Abortion: A Question of Catholic Honesty," in Lloyd Steffen, ed., Abortion: A Reader
This official "1974 Declaration on Procured Abortion" was written by the Vatican and ratified by Pope Paul VI. The declaration is both a statement of faith and reason for the Catholic Church's longstanding position against abortion. It also addresses critics within the Catholic Church who assert that abortion should be a personal decision based on conscience and not obedience to authority. Daniel C. Maguire, Catholic professor of ethics at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, argues for more flexibility in the Catholic Church's stand on abortion. Maguire outlines the Catholic tradition of probabilism, which was originally designed to provide a legitimate rationale for going against Church authority concerning moral issues.
ISSUE 10. Is Capital Punishment Wrong?
YES: Glen H. Stassen, from "Biblical Teaching on Capital Punishment," in Glen H. Stassen, ed., Capital Punishment: A Reader
NO: Jacob J. Vellenga, from "Is Capital Punishment Wrong?" in Glen H. Stassen, ed., Capital Punishment: A Reader
Glen H. Stassen, professor of Christian ethics at the Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, argues that although the practice of capital punishment has biblical roots, God does not intend the penalty of death to be carried out in most cases. Former associate executive of the United Presbyterian Church Jacob J. Vellenga provides an overview of the scriptural teachings in favor of capital punishment from both Hebrew and Christian Scriptures. He maintains that capital punishment is one of the consequences God instituted to punish the perpetrator and prevent the same kinds of acts among others.
ISSUE 11. Does the Bible Forbid Same-Sex Relationships?
YES: Richard B. Hays, from "Awaiting the Redemption of Our Bodies: The Witness of Scripture Concerning Homosexuality," in Jeffrey S. Siker, ed., Homosexuality in the Church: Both Sides of the Debate
NO: Victor Paul Furnish, from "The Bible and Homosexuality: Reading the Texts in Context," in Jeffrey S. Siker, ed., Homosexuality in the Church: Both Sides of the Debate
Richard B. Hays, New Testament professor at the Duke Divinity School in Durham, North Carolina, provides evidence from both Hebrew and Christian Scripture prohibiting the practice of homosexuality. Hays argues that the prohibition against homosexual relations has continued from ancient times to the present. Victor Paul Furnish, New Testament professor at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, reasons that the arguments made against homosexual behavior found in the Bible are generally taken out of context and should not be interpreted as prohibitions against the practice. PART 4. Religion and Science Issues
ISSUE 12. Does the Theory of Evolution Explain the Origins of Humanity?
YES: Daniel C. Dennett, from Darwin's Dangerous Idea: Evolution and the Meanings of Life
NO: John MacArthur, from The Battle for the Beginning: The Bible on Creation and the Fall of Adam
Daniel C. Dennett, professor of arts and sciences at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, argues against a God being involved in creation. He maintains that Darwin's theory of evolution is the strongest and most elegant explanation for the creation of the universe and humankind. Featured teacher of the radio ministry Grace to You and president of The Master's College in Santa Clarita, California, John MacArthur argues for divine creation. MacArthur believes that faithful Christians are being deceived by the naturalistic philosophy of evolution, and he provides conservative, scriptural arguments supporting a God-directed creation.
ISSUE 13. Does Religious Commitment Improve Mental Health?
YES: David B. Larson, from "Have Faith: Religion Can Heal Mental Ills," Insight
NO: Albert Ellis, from "Dogmatic Devotion Doesn't Help, It Hurts," Insight
Psychiatrist and president of the International Center for the Integration of Health and Spirituality in Rockville, Maryland, David B. Larson argues that religious affiliation, belief, and practice are positively related to mental health. Psychologist and founder of rational-emotive therapy and president of the Institute for Rational-Emotive Therapy, located in New York City, Albert Ellis counters that religion is a contributor to emotional disturbance. PART 5. Political Issues
ISSUE 14. Is War Ever Justified?
YES: Editors of First Things, from "In a Time of War," First Things
NO: Walter Wink, from "Beyond Just War and Pacifism," in J. Patout Burns, ed., War and Its Discontents: Pacifism and Quietism in the Abrahamic Traditions
The editors of an interreligious, nonpartisan publication entitled First Things provide an argument defending military action, using both historical and theological backgrounds in support of just war theory. Walter Wink, professor of biblical interpretation at Auburn Theological Seminary in New York City, argues that victims of evil should not respond to evil on its own terms but choose a form of nonviolent resistance.
ISSUE 15. Should There Be a Strict Separation Between Church and State?
YES: Richard Davis, from "Should There Be a Strict Separation Between Church and State? Yes," An Original Essay Written for This Volume
NO: Mathew D. Staver, from "Separation of Church and State," Liberty Counsel, http://www.lc.org/OldResources/separation. html
Richard Davis, professor of political science at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, argues for a strict interpretation of the Constitution concerning church and state issues. He states that history has demonstrated that when there is not a strict separation, the civil government, religion, and especially the people suffer. Mathew D. Staver, a Christian attorney specializing in religious liberty law and founder of Liberty Counsel, contends that a strict separation between church and state is not what the founding fathers had in mind when they established the Constitution. He presents evidence supporting the assertion that strict separation should exist on the federal but not the state level of government.
ISSUE 16. Does the Religious Right Threaten American Freedoms?
YES: John B. Judis, from "Crosses to Bear," The New Republic
NO: Fred Barnes, from "Who Needs the Religious Right? We All Do," Crisis
John B. Judis, senior editor of The New Republic, argues against the Religious Right using the political process to force its morally conservative political agenda on the American public. He maintains that government should be allowed to operate independently of the Religious Right's influence. Fred Barnes, cofounder of the weekly magazine The Standard, argues in support of the Religious Right keeping traditional moral issues alive in the public debate. He asserts that morality plays a vital role in the success of America, and without the influence of religious conservatism, the nation's freedom may be in jeopardy. PART 6. Denominational Issues
ISSUE 17. Is Mormonism Christian?
YES: Daniel K. Judd, from "Is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormonism) a Christian Religion?" An Original Essay Written for This Volume
NO: Craig L. Blomberg, from "Is Mormonism Christian?" in Francis J. Beckwith, Carl Mosser, and Paul Owen, eds., The New Mormon Challenge: Responding to the Latest Defenses of a Fast-Growing Movement
Daniel K. Judd, professor of ancient Scripture at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, reasons why The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) should be considered a Christian religion. He states that because the LDS Church bases its theology and practice on Jesus Christ (particularly his atonement and resurrection), it should be considered a Christian Church even though its members do not accept many of the creeds of traditional Christendom. Craig L. Blomberg, New Testament professor at the Denver Seminary in Denver, Colorado, states that Mormons are not Christian either as a church or as individuals. He bases his statement on what he interprets as inconsistencies between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Christian Church as represented in the Bible and in early Christian creeds.
