PUBLIC SPACE
I HAVE read an excellent book on Church/State relations, by Os Guinness called The Case For Civility ( http://www.harpercollins.com/books/9780061353437/The_Case_for_Civility/index.aspx) , in which he argues for the need for the culture to have a place for discussion that is neither sacred space nor naked space. Guinness argues that both the religious right and the secular anti-religious left have got it wrong. He is arguing that the American founding fathers got it right and that their views are being distorted by current players in this age-long debate.
Guinness is speaking specifically to the U.S. situation but what he has to say is relevant for Australia and how we deal creatively with similar issues. Living in an inner city area with many African people of Islamic faith, I am interested in how we can find a common space for sharing our insights, our experiences, in a way that is respectful of difference and that looks for ways of contributing to the common good.
We need more discussion about the whole question of how we can be unashamedly disciples of Christ in a multi cultural society. For me this means holding a deep and basic respect for those who see things differently from the way I do. Last year we had in the Carlton community a second forum sponsored jointly by our Uniting Church minister and the Imam of the Horn of Africa settlers in the area, seeking to build stronger bridges of understanding. This seems to me to be a faithful way of following Jesus.
In Matthew 28:16-20 is it legitimate to say that Jesus is encouraging us to be about the task of making learners? [ discipuli was the word we learned in Year 8 Latin, meaning learners.] Is it too much to say that we are called to be fellow learners with the rest of humankind, sharing what we have learned and being open to the fact that this gracious God we know in Christ is actually also at work in the lives of all of God's creation?
I keep in the front of my Bible a prayer I stumbled upon some year ago, written by a wise minister: "God of understanding and giver of unity, teach me to know how to stand for truth yet never to damage those who disagree with my current interpretation of truth."
I guess that some would see my approach as compromising, weak, lacking in Christian conviction....but I am inclined to think that we are being drawn this way because we are responding to Jesus, his life and death and resurrection and the main emphasis of his teaching.
On a related point, I have just received a most moving document by Uri Avnery, former Knesset member and now a strong supporter of the Israelis and Palestinians who hold hands together to resist the aggressive behaviour of the political leaders in the Middle East.
Guinness is speaking specifically to the U.S. situation but what he has to say is relevant for Australia and how we deal creatively with similar issues. Living in an inner city area with many African people of Islamic faith, I am interested in how we can find a common space for sharing our insights, our experiences, in a way that is respectful of difference and that looks for ways of contributing to the common good.
We need more discussion about the whole question of how we can be unashamedly disciples of Christ in a multi cultural society. For me this means holding a deep and basic respect for those who see things differently from the way I do. Last year we had in the Carlton community a second forum sponsored jointly by our Uniting Church minister and the Imam of the Horn of Africa settlers in the area, seeking to build stronger bridges of understanding. This seems to me to be a faithful way of following Jesus.
In Matthew 28:16-20 is it legitimate to say that Jesus is encouraging us to be about the task of making learners? [ discipuli was the word we learned in Year 8 Latin, meaning learners.] Is it too much to say that we are called to be fellow learners with the rest of humankind, sharing what we have learned and being open to the fact that this gracious God we know in Christ is actually also at work in the lives of all of God's creation?
I keep in the front of my Bible a prayer I stumbled upon some year ago, written by a wise minister: "God of understanding and giver of unity, teach me to know how to stand for truth yet never to damage those who disagree with my current interpretation of truth."
I guess that some would see my approach as compromising, weak, lacking in Christian conviction....but I am inclined to think that we are being drawn this way because we are responding to Jesus, his life and death and resurrection and the main emphasis of his teaching.
On a related point, I have just received a most moving document by Uri Avnery, former Knesset member and now a strong supporter of the Israelis and Palestinians who hold hands together to resist the aggressive behaviour of the political leaders in the Middle East.
posted by ledingham at 12:42 AM
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