OOOHH what a minefield this is subject is for many. Perhaps I should do another "safe" post of mine on illegal immigration instead.
When I hear the word inculturation alarm bells go off. That is because something horrid and heretical is about to happen in my experience. This happens especially when the liturgy is involved.
I often find it amusing that when "inculturation" takes place by some Liturgical terrorist at an American Parish, that what I see has precious little to do with American culture as it has developed. Take Liturgical dancing. I am not a big fan of that concept at all. However why are we doing this? I am a pretty big history reader and "dancing" and worship has never been a big part of the American(post 1600 AD non native American) experience. Why are we doing it then? I see the wildest things occur under this banner of "Inculturation".
Now it is true it does take place. The Church since the beginning has "baptized" certain symbols and practices. However this usually occurs very organically in many ways.
I thought Saint Mary Magdalen, Brighton, UK had a excellent piece on this subject at On Inculturation. What I found amazing was the different viewpoints of a "European" Churchman" and an "Asian" Churchman. It is not what one would expect is it?
If we are going to have Inculturation let me speak out for the Deep South where I live. Dancing in worship services is not part of our Southern Culture . Please for the sake of "Inculturation" get rid of it if it is occurring in any parishes. People leaving the Church Service before its over(IE- After Taking Communion) is not part of our Southern American culture. Please put a stop to that. Huge ugly Felt banners in Churches are also not a part of our Southern Culture. I feel oppressed so please get rid of that. Bad music in worship (especially music that sounds like a Catholic version of the 70 show) is not a part of our culture. Basically Southerners are real authority rule minded people that like tradition. Therefore anything that basically is a fragrant breaking of that( like inclusive language) pretty much is a sin of Imperalism. Also can you imagine William Falkner or Flannery O'Conner usually inclusive language. HEAR OUR VOICE IN THE NAME OF INCULTURATION.
Monday, October 1, 2007
"Inculturation" and the Catholic Liturgy
Posted by James H at 10/01/2007 09:26:00 PM
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