No Horse in the Race, But...

I know the Nicene Creed and its derivatives somewhat well. It and its changes resulted in the break in the Church with the Orthodox going one way and the Romans the other. It frankly is a contentious document. But The Washington Post seems to make a big issue over the Presidents failure to make a public attestation to another variant of this old Doctrine.

The article states:

The Creed came about two-thirds through the service, shortly after the homily. While it’s a standard part of an Episcopal funeral, it’s not always said during high-profile funerals at the Cathedral; it depends on the wishes of the person who passed. U.S. Sen. John McCain was raised in the denomination but the Creed wasn’t said at his funeral earlier this year. Bush specifically wanted a proper, formal Episcopal service, some involved with the planning said. Most Christians (or those who have been to church, especially a baptism or funeral) have heard the Apostles' Creed. There are varying translations, but its few lines include something like: “I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. … I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.”

In fact having such a set of specific statements would most likely be supporting a State Religion more than likely opposed by a few from other or no religions. You see this Creed has specific forms for many different Christian sects. The Roman Catholic one is different as is the Orthodox. Would reciting it in public make one an apostate? I leave that to professional theologians, it is well beyond my twelve years of study.

I even remember from my childhood that it was a sin to be seen in a Protestant service. I needed permission to go to a Cub Scout Pack at a Protestant church. In those days it would have appeared as if I were as an eight year old supporting this variant.

On the other-hand the same paper may have complained if he did not join in singing Deutschland Uber Alles at a rally in Munich. Thou doth protest too much perhaps.

Oh and by the way:

Πιστεύομεν εἰς ἕνα Θεὸν Πατέρα παντοκράτορα
πάντων ὁρατῶν τε καὶ ἀοράτων ποιητήν·
καὶ εἰς ἕνα Κύριον Ἰησοῦν Χριστὸν
τὸν Υἱὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ,
γεννηθέντα ἐκ τοῦ Πατρὸς μονογενῆ
τουτέστιν ἐκ τῆς οὐσίας τοῦ Πατρος
Θεὸν ἐκ Θεοῦ,
Φῶς ἐκ Φωτός,
Θεὸν ἀληθινὸν ἐκ Θεοῦ ἀληθινοῦ,
γεννηθέντα, οὐ ποιηθέντα,
ὁμοούσιον τῷ Πατρί,
δι’ οὗ τὰ πάντα ἐγένετο
τά τε ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ καὶ τὰ ἐν τῇ γῇ,
τὸν δι’ ἡμᾶς τοὺς ἀνθρώπους, καὶ
διὰ τὴν ἡμετέραν σωτηρίαν,

κατελθόντα,
καὶ σαρκωθέντα,
καὶ ἐνανθρωπήσαντα,
παθόντα,
καὶ ἀναστάντα τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ,
ἀνελθόντα εἰς τοὺς οὐρανούς,
ἐρχόμενον κρῖναι ζῶντας καὶ νεκρούς.
καὶ εἰς τὸ Ἅγιον Πνεῦμα.
Τοὺς δὲ λέγοντας Ἦν ποτε ὅτε οὐκ ἦν,
καὶ Πρὶν γεννηθῆναι οὐκ ἦν,
καὶ ὅτι Ἐξ οὐκ ὄντων εγένετο,
ἢ Ἐξ ἑτέρας ὑποστάσεως ἢ οὐσιάς φάσκοντας εἶναι
ἢ κτιστόν
ἢ τρεπτόν
ἢ ἀλλοιωτὸν τὸν Υἱὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ,
τούτους ἀναθεματίζει ἡ ἁγία καθολικὴ καὶ ἀποστολικὴ ἐκκλησία.

It should also be noted that this creed was mandated by Emperor Constantine. The reason was massive positions on Jesus his person, soul, etc. Massive heresies were afoot and actual wars was resulting from the differences in opinions. Constantine then used this creed, as he approved it, to say what was correct. It was in Greek. Then is was modified by multiple meetings thereafter with Greek wording moving into Latin. Differences between Christ as man, God, both, became considerable. Also clearly if one were a non Nicene adhering Christian one would not and could not say this creed. It would be akin to having a Russian hockey team recite the Pledge of Allegiance or worse. Perhaps those who knew something bout this would comment, not just those throwing stones. The Creed has had a rather rocky road for 1700 plus years.