Introduction
Is the generation which saw great ecumenical progress in the mainstream British churches prepared to look again at a tacit policy of not openly criticising other Christians? Do the provocative views of some self-proclaimed Christian publications about Islam, human sexuality, secular society demand rebuttal, or merely reflect different, but acceptable, biblical, often law-focused, emphases (Exodus 19.8a)? If mainstream Christians looked critically at the fringes of Christianity, where religion touches political and sometimes racist ideologies, and considered dispassionately the grounds for open disagreement against the reasons for continuing silence, would they become more understanding of the dilemmas of mainstream Islam in the face of so-called Islamist rhetoric and violence?
Context
Consider this multiply divisive media response to Evangelical-supported Donald Trump’s attack on London’s Muslim Mayor at a time of tragedy.
Last week the Scottish Episcopal Church, despite opposition from within its Communion, approved same-sex marriage.
This week Theresa May seeks the ultra-Protestant DUP’s support for her minority government. Its views on human sexuality, claimed as biblical, may threaten LGBTI rights. Its increased politico-religious influence may seem to legitimate racial attacks in Northern Ireland, and its views on Europe, deriving substantially from opposition to Roman Catholicism, to deepen community rifts.
After terrorist outrages during the election campaign, and amid such bitter controversy, how can the Church best present Christ’s gospel of all-embracing compassion?
Reflection
- Are community events – e.g. holiday clubs – run in our churches bold enough? How do we handle the dilemmas of promoting and sharing the Gospel without excluding children of other faiths from the fun? Should we focus closely on making converts and swelling congregations, or should reaching out with compassion to a diverse and often confused community become a priority?
- What of the Prevent Strategy? As members of a diverse society, some of us parents, pastors or teachers with particular responsibilities, are we ready to challenge our own assumptions? Can we be as objective and dispassionate as Mak Chishty? Have we thought about a definition of extremism within Christianity? Have we thought about it in connection with our own historically Christian communities? May some of those ‘unclean spirits’ (Mattthew 10.1) be in our midst rather than ‘out there’? This weekend Jo Cox M.P. is remembered.
- Among Theresa May’s looming problems in minority government is the inability to choose her own priorities and red lines. Are struggling mainstream congregations facing similar problems? Are liberal and progressive Christians in danger of compromising their principles on other faiths, human sexuality, and equality matters for the sake of sharing in the greater visibility and political influence of bigger movements? Do we underplay the ambition of Christ’s inclusive ‘compassion’ (Matt.9.36) when we think about the ‘harvest’ and identify his ‘labourers’ (v.38)?
- The disciples were sent first to help and heal in their own nation (10.5-6). How do we interpret this for today, geographically, racially or religiously? Who are today’s equivalents of the ‘harassed and helpless’ (9.37)?
Prayer
A prayer of intercession and petition which might complement more locally concerned prayers.
Lord Christ, compassionate healer,
sacrificial peace-maker, redeemer of the world,
guide us in our search for calm in a troubled and divided nation.
In our hearts and minds we lift in compassion towards your healing hands:
those still suffering pain, injury, loss and bereavement
after any of the recent terrorist attacks,
in London, in Manchester, in Europe or in countries far away;
the emergency services, and especially those fire-fighters, police-officers
and paramedics who have been traumatised by what they have had to witness;
our Government and Loyal Opposition, as well as the former M.P.’s who lost their seats,
and the enthusiastic candidates who failed to get elected,
now caught up in the confusion and recriminations of the aftermath;
community leaders from Islam, Christian Churches, other faiths and none,
as they look for the right words to soothe and heal,
and also the words which can serve to instigate and encourage positive action;
the family, friends and constituents of Jo Cox,
as the anniversary of her murder comes round;
and now, tragically, we add all those bereaved, traumatised or injured
in the West London fire on Wednesday morning.
May the Kingdom of heaven truly come near to all these people and more,
as we seek, as one united nation, to move forward,
catching up the ‘harassed and helpless’,
and leaving no one weeping alone.
Amen.
Questions
If you don’t have them already, would you welcome opportunities to meet people of other faiths, especially at this time Muslims? If not, why not? What sort of event might you arrange, a social event, a visit to a local mosque, a speaker meeting?
Action
Find out about the ‘Prevent Strategy’ and the difficulties around it before you form a judgement about its rightness or wrongness! (Different considerations may arise in Northern Ireland where the Prevent Duty does not apply.)
Young people
Do a mind-mapping exercise about whatever impact ‘Prevent’ may have had on life for you, your peers, and your community. If there doesn’t seem to be much to say, consider why this might be. Do you think there is injustice around the implementation of Prevent in some communities?
Brenda Vance is a URC elder and a SACRE member in Sussex.
Hypertext links to other websites are for the convenience of users only and do not constitute any endorsement or authorisation by ROOTS for Churches Ltd.