Christianity, Pluralism, and Public Life

DIVIDES WITHIN CHRISTIANITY THAT CHALLENGE BRIDGE BUILDING
Although our interviews demonstrated many ways in which Christians are successfully bridging divides, perhaps one of the
most important places for future bridge building is between Christian groups.
In addition to racial, economic, and political divides, it’s important to note that Christians disagree about what Christianity
entails. There is a need for bridge-building work between Christian denominations, but also within Christian denominations
and even individual churches. Theological distinctions around issues like marriage and sexuality, and the ordination of
women have contributed to denominations and churches breaking apart. In some ways, Christian denominations and clergy
are constantly doing bridge-building work among their own constituents.
The theological imperatives for bridge building discussed in this report are relevant when Christians navigate theological
disagreements between themselves as well.
Our Takeaways:
}}
}}
}}
Across Christian traditions, bridge building and seeking the good of those who are different than
yourself are recognized as core teachings of the faith and an important part of Christian practice.
The Christian faith can motivate people to reach out and serve across difference in a way that is deeply
counter-cultural.
Bridge building must be truly reciprocal and involve real listening and attentiveness to the actual needs,
desires, and disposition of other parties. No one can force bridge-building work or impose it on others.
The Role of Christianity in Public Life
We asked each interviewee to reflect on the overall role of Christianity in public life. Their responses generally revealed a
confidence in the value of Christianity to the public, but they also raised significant misgivings about the reality as well as the
general public’s perception of Christianity’s influence in society.
CHRISTIAN SERVICE TO COMMUNITY
Christian leaders believe their faith, what it has inspired in the past, and the good works it motivates in the present provide
much of the glue that holds society and communities together. Several leaders point to the role Christians played in the very
creation of the social service sector in America. Bishop Curry identified the centrality of social service in the Christian public
witness: “Where Christians and Christian churches have been involved in means of human service, whether that was in the
old days, founding hospitals, which outgrew the mother church and became hospitals on their own…hospitals and schools
and universities and other human service institutions, many of which are not affiliated with the religious tradition that gave
birth to them anymore, that was a way Christians…provided human service delivery that was a living out of the ethical and
moral teachings of their faith. For us as Christians to love your neighbor as yourself.” Bishop Curry went on to acknowledge
the work of a well-known Christian leader whose political views he disagrees with, praising the organization’s work to
advance justice and address human need.
Christianity, Pluralism, and Public Life in the United States | 27