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Faith and Culture

Faith and Culture

It seems that national and international news has lately focused on various groups of people trying to navigate the political systems in which they are living. Although one could analyze the dynamics on a purely political level, I believe the core issues go much deeper. I want to touch on this today, from a faith perspective.  I think there is a strong relationship between our faith and the surrounding culture.  If creation is a great value because of its origins in God, then a universal connection or rationality can be found not limited to a particular faith group. There is a culture in the way families are organized, in how we cook our native foods, and how our society is governed. All of us are affected by culture. History and culture exist within the realm of God's creation, and I believe under the canopy of God's love.  So, as we affirm the action of God in every culture, we also address any deficiencies and injustices that may be plaguing our own culture. Whatever our faith affiliation is we must not lose our desire to critique the culture in which we live.  Our faith beliefs must be active and applied to any system or societal agenda that usurps God's place of origin and authority. We need to be cognizant within our culture of the lack of justice, or inequality of social order, or disruption of family structures. If we understand the redeemer God as the creator God then as we look at what is all around us, we need to analyze and act on what our culture is lacking in the fulfillment of God's purposes for all creation.

Rev. Richard Visconti

Rector, Caroline Church

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