THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, August 27, 1994 TAG: 9408260091
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E8 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Religion
SOURCE: Betsy Mathews Wright
LENGTH: Medium: 80 lines
FOR THE PAST two weeks - while I was away on a youth mission trip and then helped run my church's Vacation Bible School program - two guest columnists have gone head-to-head to debate the question: Do we need the institution of the church?
David Smiley, a computer consultant from Virginia Beach, took the ``no-get-rid-of-it'' stance, while the Rev. Joan H. Wooten, a campus minister at ODU, took the side of ``yes-stick-with-the-church.''
This week, I'm printing the Reader Response from those two columns. Next week, I'll be printing my own views on the question. After that, we'll move on to other Issues of Faith.
From John Hankey of Chesapeake: ``In responding to David Smiley's column, while I certainly defend home ministries and cell group development within churches, at the same time I think I see in his words Smiley's own inability to subject himself to discipline.
``More importantly, however, is the question of the role of the institutionalized church. Where would those of us who oppose abortion be without the institutionalized church right now, especially at the United Nations level? The United Nations would not take comments from individuals. If it were not for the Pope, who represents the highest form of institutionalized piety that Smiley is talking about . . . if it were not for the Pope leading the battle on abortion right now at the United Nations, there would be no opposition there. That's just one example.
``I believe that institutionalized religion has a role to play, and that role is important. I also think that in some ways, David Smiley is throwing the baby out with the bath water. . . . While I agree with much of what he had to say, I think it is not correct to believe that (institutionalized religion is all bad). . . . The very idea that the world would be better off without institutionalized religion is, I think, pagan . . . or certainly un-Christian. I still believe it all goes back to individuals who really don't want to subject themselves to personal discipline or to the authority of the church.''
From Veronica Kochey of Virginia Beach: ``All I can say is `Amen, David Smiley!' ''
From Michael Nixon of Virginia Beach: ``Regarding David Smiley's column, he has got a few good points, but I'd like to point out that the true temple of God is yourself. You have the Holy Spirit within yourself, therefore any institution outside yourself is fine for fellowshipping, but humans must realize that the true temple is within. That's what Jesus meant when before the Resurrection, he said, `I shall rebuild this temple in three days,' because in three days Jesus was able to resurrect himself.''
From Anita Newman Mitchell of Norfolk: ``David Smiley's negative view on the church institution is enough to cause active Christians to re-examine their hearts. Nevertheless, the problem is not the `pile of stones.'
``Even as far back as Noah and Abraham, the desire to worship God included stopping to build an altar to do so. Today, we have buildings as elaborate as Canterbury or as simple as a small wooden structure. The problem is not the institution, but man's own humanity. . . . It's the altars in our hearts that need reworking, not the external places of worship.''
From the Rev. Betty D. Stewart of the Inner Sanctuary in Virginia Beach: ``In today's world of crime, poverty and low morals in family life . . . it seems all the preaching of what Jesus Christ did 2,000 years ago hasn't helped much. Our church institutions are trying to spread the Gospel, but a lot of them seem to be trying to mix politics, religion and business power, too.
``Are we living as though we were created in God's (love) image? . . . Most people don't want to hear about church or religion because it has become such a business empire and a way to evade paying taxes.
``The Bible tells us to go within and seek the Lord of our being. The sanctuary is within each person.'' MEMO: Every other week, Betsy Mathews Wright publishes responses to her
opinion column. Send responses to Issues of Faith, The Virginian-Pilot,
150 W. Brambleton Ave., Norfolk, Va. 23510; call (804) 446-2273; FAX
(804) 436-2798; or send computer message via bmw(AT)infi.net. Deadline
is Tuesday prior to publication. Must include name, city and phone
number.
by CNB