Colbert on Ecumenalism, or “We’re right, you’re wrong”
Paul | September 15, 2008Someone posted this on PickAFig; and while it is 2 years old it is still relevant.
Stephen Colbert addresses, through his criticism of Benedict XVI’s visit to Turkey in 2006, the ecumenical movement. Or more specifically, the lack of strength and commitment shown in the current ecumenical movement throughout Chrisitianity. It’s not bigotry to think yourself right and another wrong, as G.K. Chesterton said - it’s assuming that you cannot be wrong that makes you a bigot. For all his showmanship, notice that even Colbert admits that he “hopes” he is right, but pulls no punches in asserting that if both Christianity and Muslims cannot be completely right. But he’s no bigot, at least according to Chesterton.
We should be a bit more assertive in our own beliefs, or simply cave to another. Yes, we should work toward peace, but not by capitulating our own beliefs, lest we lose our identity. This doesn’t just go for Catholics or even religious beliefs - if you are too willing to believe that everyone can’t possible be wrong, you really have nothing to add to inter-faith discourse or any debate for that matter.
Oh, and when Colbert breaks out into the “speed creed” (excerpt of the Nicene Creed) it is simply jaw-dropping that this was aired on Comedy Central.
