Losing Religion, Deepening in Faith with Brenda-Lee Sasaki

<p>Christian faith often gets confused with moralism. Moralism is not Christian faith. In fact, moralism is a kind of idolatry, the worship of social structures, rules, or hierarchies of gender or race or belief. On this episode of Rector’s Cupboard we speak with teacher and writer <a href='https://www.brendaleesasaki.com/'>Brenda-Lee Sasaki</a> about moralism in the context of Christian universities. Pushing away from moralism is an often necessary step in spiritual growth. Morality is important in every life, but moralism is a death knell to actual faith. Losing religion (moralism posing as religion) can and often does lead to a deepening of faith.</p> <p>We talk about arbitrary moral codes at religious institutions, why they exist, what they are intended to accomplish and what some of their negative consequences may be. The conversation is intended to be a particular example of the limits of moral codes and statements of faith. If you sign the document about behaviour or belief, does that really seal the deal?</p> <p> </p> <p>Books and articles discussed in this episode:</p> <p> </p> <p><a href='https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/31/us/liberty-jerry-falwell-investigation.html?searchResultPosition=1'>Liberty University Article</a> – NYT, August 2020</p> <p> </p> <p><a href='https://apnews.com/7078a805c9ea4585874cd22559f0046a#:~:text=Francis%20said%20all%20schismatics%20share,the%20faith%20of%20ordinary%20Catholics.&text=He%20claimed%20doctrinal%20rigidity%2C%20or,masked%20their%20own%20personal%20problems.'>Pope Francis on “moral rigidity”</a> - AP News, September 2019</p> <p> </p> <p>After Evangelicalism: The Path to a New Christianity  – David Gushee, 2020</p> <p> </p> <p><a href='https://shelovesmagazine.com/2019/i-am-not-a-godly-woman/'>I am Not a Godly Woman</a> – Brenda-Lee Sasaki, SheLoves Magazine, March 2019</p> <p> </p> <p><a href='https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-canadian-organizations-grapple-with-jean-vaniers-legacy-after-sex-2/'>Jean Vanier Article</a> – Globe and Mail Art