Much of the general news media are editorially opposed to corporate mergers because they fear wholesome competition will be stifled, but they seem gleeful about any ecclesiastical merger precisely because they eliminate competition.

Monday, September 13, 1999

Much of the general news media are editorially opposed to corporate mergers because they fear wholesome competition will be stifled, but they seem gleeful about any ecclesiastical merger precisely because they eliminate competition. They praise cultural diversity but the forging of denominational homogeneity. Whatever might be said about danger in corporate conglomerates, ecclesiastical ecumenism has proven to be destructive of religious distinctiveness and spiritual experience.

The proposed closer ties between the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Episcopal Church, as ELCA for the first time voted in favor, is the latest example for this blind praise of ecclesiastical mergers. One needs to read the text of the news reports carefully to recognize no organic merger is proposed but only permissible exchange of clergy and sometimes joint worship locally. There will still be the ELCA and the Episcopal Church, much to the relief of many Lutherans as well as Episcopalians.

What is it that makes competition healthy in business but sick in religion? Why is it harmful to business for Viacom to buy out CBS but helpful for Lutherans and Episcopalians to reduce, or eventually lose, their distinctivenesses? That doesn’t make sense.

Of course, I deplore the ruthless competition I have observed between some churches, even those of the same denomination, but it is the ruthlessness that is wrong not a competition that is healthy and productive. I deplore almost as much the ruthless competition between businesses, such as what affronts us with negative advertising. Let one firm show it offers a better product and let the consumers discover it by trying the variety of choices.

So, too, with religion. If positive competition is productive of increased consumer value in business, so it can be in religion. It is disgraceful for churches to tear each other down, mind you, but wonderful for individual churches to build themselves up. If some build better than others, so be it.

Yet, it is not entirely or even largely a matter of one church being better than another but different-distinctive. If we can enhance and celebrate cultural diversity, why not religious diversity?

Some people are convinced the Bible teaches that an infant must be sprinkled in order to become a child of God. Others are equally convinced a person old enough to make an individual decision ought to be immersed in profession of the fact the person has already become a child of God. Still others sprinkle infants in anticipation of salvation and immerse in profession of it. Or leave the choice to individuals. Is it not reasonably that these pursue their theological convictions in separate churches?

Even within denominations, we experience different convictions (or prejudices or preferences) in regard to organizational structure or style of worship. Why should we battle it out within the same church when we can congregate with brothers and sisters of like mind?

Let one church sprinkle infants and use heavy liturgy. Let the one across the street immerse adults and worship informally. But let them live in peace and experience unity of spirit.

I like Lutherans and I like Episcopalians, especially when Lutherans are like Martin and Episcopalians are like (Well, forget Henry VIII) Episcopalians. I celebrate healthy "competition" between friendly churches and religious diversity that allows individuals personal choice.