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BBC Traces the Change of Religions

May 24, 2013

BBC Traces the Change of Religions

Religions have undergone major change since Hindus traditionally practiced animal sacrifice, or Mohammed’s portrait was featured in Islamic art.  But how?
CPWR Trustee Anne Benvenuti recommends a new chronicle:
The BBC Magazine delves deep into the ways and whys of historical influences shifting the religious stance on many customs from antithesis to synthesis:
Once upon a time, animal sacrifice was an important part of Hindu life, Catholic priests weren’t celibate and visual depictions of the Prophet Muhammad were part of Islamic art. And soon some churches in the UK may be marrying gay couples. How do religions manage to change their mind?
In 1889, Wilford Woodruff became the fourth president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints – more commonly known as the Mormon Church.
As president, he was seen as a living prophet, someone who could receive wisdom and advice from Jesus Christ. And he was certainly in need of advice – his church was in crisis.
For 40 years, Mormons had been at loggerheads with the US Congress over the issue of polygamy, which was encouraged among male believers. The government said it was illegal, and held that religious conviction was no defence.
Author Karen Armstrong contributes perspective on what perceptions earlier religious and philosophical titans would have of today’s religious culture,
“Medieval thinkers such as St Thomas Aquinas or Maimonides would be astonished at the way we read, preach and pray today, says author Karen Armstrong.
“We’ve tended to lose older, sometimes more intuitive patterns of thought,”

Continue to BBC Magazine…