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Then Lindsay Beyerstein of Majikthise chimes in with the more general point that claims of “moderation” and “orthodoxy” can’t be taken at face value in any situation. Why should UCC members be called “moderate Christians,” as if they were watered-down alumni of Moody Bible Institute? “Claims of fundamentalism or orthodoxy are positioning statements for brands. We often treat claims of religious orthodoxy as if they were statements of fact rather than rhetorical devices. Positioning your doctrine as the orthodoxy is a way to marginalize your competition. If we uncritically allow the most reactionary sects to claim the mantle of orthodoxy, we do the work of fundamentalists for them.”
In normal usage, “orthodox” pretty much signals “conservative” or “fundamentalist.” Anyone willing to apply that word to themselves probably doesn’t believe what many more liberal Christians do, that their religion’s tenets evolve over time and will continue to do so. For those folks there is neither orthodox nor unorthodox, but simply more or less evolved. (Correct me at will.)
