The ultimate distinctive feature of Christianity is Jesus Christ as the Crucified.

The argument for the Incarnation and/or Trinity as the most important Christian tenet has been part of the advocates of the Empire church which relegated the Crucifixion to the background while they prostituted themselves for money and power. This led to the formation of religious orders as a reaction to the secularization of Christianity by the bishops of the fourth century. Thus creating the dichotomy that only specific persons in a monastic way of life were “perfect” followers of Christ. The hierarchy went empire, some ordering the killing of other Christians, while others saw the need to preserve the Way. So went the kerigma of the Crucifixion as the hierarchy became the crucifiers. Especially of the Way of Christ. Following were the glory proclaimers who stressed the royalty of Christianity, explaining that this was shown in the Incarnation and Trinity. Origen gives tells us that the people were not buying insisting that “Christ Crucified” was the message.

One of the prophets of our time helps us understand the authentic message of Jesus Christ. He was duly ostracized for his efforts.

http://www.auburn.edu/~allenkc/challenge.html

Preach Christ Crucified.

The central mystery is neither the incarnation nor the Trinity. The Crucifixion is. Still a stumbling block and a scandal for those who don't get it. Paul said we preach Christ crucified. And rejoice always because he is risen. Even Peter got caught up in the church of glory which Jesus had to correct him about right away. Reconciliation is through the cross and nowhere else. One may respond that the Incarnation implies the Crucifixion. If so why do we fail to talk about it? The Crucifixion shows that the mustard seed dies before it become a marvelous structure. The Crucifixion reminds that one cannot rest until no women are raped, no children are abandoned and no one stands by idly while millions are killed in war and incinerators. Many theologians have written about this. No one more than, perhaps, the greatest one, Paul the Apostle. Preaching Christ Crucified produces a Paul and a Francis. Preaching the glories produces an empire church with papal legates. Building great basilicas, no matter how imposing, does not focus on the downtrodden. Preaching Christ Crucified, eo ipso, binds one with Christ's little ones. I maintain the difference in emphasis is the central problem.

We have less than 5% of the world's population but near a quarter of the prisoners.

Harry Belafonty, in his marvelous documentary of his civil rights activity "Sing your Song on HBO, said that the incarceration of blacks in this country is the last area of civil rights to be rectified. His point is that most of the inmates are black. The criticism is justified because blacks have fewer resources to fight for their rights and often succumb to a plea bargain foisted on them by a court appointed attorney who is trained to move cases rather than do justice to his constituents. As a result, the minority inmates who had few resources to fight for their rights to avoid imprisonment end up with fewer resources when their prison terms are over to effectively rehabilitate. On the racial equality level I can assure you that many white men deserve to be in prison but have not because of greater availability of resources. Consequently, the greatest presumption might be our denial in facing the civil rights issue in imprisonment.

Perhaps the budget cuts will aid minorities in lessening the prison population. It is a reality that cries to the heavens that we have less than 5% of the world's population but almost a quarter of the world's prisoners. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/23/world/americas/23iht-23prison.12253738.html?pagewanted=all

Something is truly rotten in the land of the free.

Remaining a Catholic despite corruption in the Bishops and Popes.

Jesus gave the answer about those who sit on the chair of Moses. That is, the bishops (pharisees and scribes). Do what they say but not as they do. Do what they say in that we need some unity in essentials while not accepting doctrinal conclusions which solidify power rather than service. The truth is that bishops and most popes have been generally obnoxious. Yet the church has managed to salvage a liturgy, scripture and communion, better than anyone. This does not mean that many of the Protestant practices are not better, but that the church has managed to keep it together better, despite the evil leaders in their midst. People who leave, in general, bought the concept of the clergy as God. So when it is seen that the emperor has no clothes everything else crumbles. When we see that the church must constantly reform itself we work with all sinners which includes the popes and bishops and constructively urge them to be better. That is what builds up the church. Not obsequious obedience or uncontructive criticism.