Doctrinal diversity study – Terms of Reference

The Sea of Faith UK AGM, at its 2002 meeting, passed the following resolution:

The Sea of Faith UK AGM takes note of the recent resignation of Andrew Furlong as Dean of Clonmacnoise and expresses concern regarding the pressure to conform to traditional doctrinal beliefs that led to this resignation. At the same time, the AGM recognizes that a religious tradition, like any organisation, has a legitimate interest in defining its identity and that the appropriate balance between tradition and diversity within this identity is complex and subject to change over time.

The AGM therefore asks the Steering Committee to initiate a study on the allowability of doctrinal diversity within Christianity, in the context of religious faith as a human creation. The purposes of the study are to inform the Network’s views on this subject and to assist the Network in defining its position regarding situations where a religious tradition formally questions the acceptability of the views of one of its members or representatives. The study should include both research and consultation with SoF members. The results of the study, along with proposed statements of policy, which may be adopted by the membership, should be presented to the 2003 AGM.

This paper defines the terms of reference for the study, which will be called “The Sea of Faith (UK) Enquiry into the Allowable Limits of Ecclesiastical Diversity in Matters of Christian Doctrine”, or simply “The Diversity Study”. The terms of reference define the purposes, responsibilities, tasks, available resources, and timelines relevant to the study.

Purpose

The resolution calling for the study was a response to a number of stimuli: in particular, a member of SoF was forced to choose between resigning his post or being tried for heresy; at the same time, considerable debate was surfacing within SoF about what positions, if any, might be adopted by the Network as a whole, or by identifiable groups within the Network, in the fulfillment of our mission to explore and promote religious faith as a human creation. While a number of individual members within SoF were strongly sympathetic and supportive in the individual case at hand, it was unclear whether the Network as a whole could or should express an opinion. These particular events occurred against a broader background of the ongoing study by the Church of England, led by the Bishop of Birmingham, as to how questions about incompatible doctrine or belief should be handled; some SoF members have submitted comments to this study, and the media have shown an interest in interviewing SoF members on this subject. Depending on the results of this study, there may be further “heresy trials” in the future, and further media interest in SoF views on the general issue or on specific cases; in addition, SoF members as individuals have an interest in informing and developing their own views on the issue.

The purposes of this study are therefore:

• to develop and broaden knowledge within the SoF (UK) Network about the background, principles, and issues relevant to diversity of belief within the Christian tradition
• to assist the Network in determining whether it wishes to take a position on the issue of doctrinal diversity generally, or on specific cases as they may arise in the future
• to provide a means of exploring in depth the possible practical implications of “religious faith as a human creation”

Approach

The Steering Committee will establish a special Working Group to oversee the study, which will consist of at least one person from the Steering Committee and at least one person from the general membership. The Working Group will undertake the following tasks:

• Dissemination of the terms of reference to the membership and other interested persons, with an invitation to comment and/or participate. The terms of reference should be finalized by 30 November in order to be issued in the December “Portholes”.
• Approaches to the SoF Development Trust and other appropriate bodies for funding.
• Preparation of a series of preliminary papers covering such topics as: heresy trials in the 20th century; the treatment of diversity within Christianity as compared to other major religions; the current status of the Cof E study, etc. The March issue of SoF magazine will be reserved for the publication of some or all of these preliminary papers, in order to allow debate within local groups and other SoF bodies; papers and other background material may also be published on the SoF (UK) website. Preliminary papers should be completed by 31 January.
• Attend local groups or other meetings as requested to consult with the membership
• Preparation of a final paper, not more than 5000 words in length, for submission to the SoF AGM, which will include options and recommendations regarding possible actions or positions by the Network on the question of doctrinal diversity generally or on specific cases. The final paper should be completed by 31 May.
• Preparation of a workshop or other opportunity for debate and discussion at the SoF UK 2003 national conference.
• Preparation of status reports to the quarterly meetings of the SoF (UK) Steering Committee. Implementation of any decisions taken by the 2003 SoF AGM.