The Diocese of Leicester's Social Responsibility Panel is devoted to aiding churches in providing compassionate service to the world. Headed by the Archdeacon of Leicester, the panel consists of members with expertise in various fields. The presidents of the CTE have urged all churches to tackle racial injustice both within the church and in society as a whole. Critics of Christianity have often used violent acts committed by Christian nations as a reason to reject the religion.
During the French Revolution, many politicians and philosophers criticized traditional Christian doctrines, leading to a wave of secularism that saw hundreds of churches closed and thousands of priests deported or killed. Even before this, under the rule of Constantine I, Christian heretics were persecuted and ancient pagan religions were actively suppressed. Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote her renowned book, Uncle Tom's Cabin, based on her Christian beliefs in 1852. In the 18th century, deistic philosophers such as Voltaire and Jean-Jacques Rousseau criticized Christianity as a revealed religion. Christians have responded that ecumenism has helped to unite these communities, where in the past erroneous translations of Greek Christological terms could have caused misunderstandings.
Karen King, a Harvard scholar, has noted that more and more women contributed to the formation of Christianity in its early years. The first Christian perspectives on slavery were formed in the context of Christianity's roots in Judaism and as part of the broader culture of the Roman Empire. Unfortunately, Christianity inherited from Semitic religions the idea of a “jealous God” who had only one begotten son, making it impossible for any other figure to be close to God's throne. Among Christians who still adhere to this belief, there is a strong sense that Jesus' treatment of women should entail their equality in leadership and marital roles with the same intensity that Jesus' defined masculine gender should entail the name of the Father of God. Additionally, it has been concluded that for centuries Mary Magdalene has been incorrectly identified as the adulterous and repentant prostitute presented in John 8, a relationship that tradition supposes but which is not mentioned anywhere in the New Testament.
Early Christianity was a minority religion in the Roman Empire and its followers were persecuted during this time. Throughout history, certain Christians (and Christian groups) have persecuted individuals and groups on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, race, and religion (even within Christianity itself). Nondenominational Christianity is another approach to reducing divisions within Christianity, although many Christian groups that claim to be non-denominational end up having similar issues. The Diocese of Leicester's Social Responsibility Panel is working hard to ensure that churches are providing loving service to their communities. The panel is chaired by the Archdeacon of Leicester and includes members with expertise in various areas. The presidents of CTE have called on all churches to address racial injustice both within their own walls and throughout society.
Christianity has been criticized for its violent past; however, ecumenism has helped unite different denominations and Karen King has noted that more women are contributing to its formation. Unfortunately, some Christians still adhere to an outdated belief system which does not recognize equality between genders or other religions. Despite this, nondenominational Christianity is helping reduce divisions within Christianity and churches are striving to make a difference by addressing social issues and injustices.
