Chris
McDonnell, UK
chris@mcdonnell83.freeserve.co.uk
Previous articles by Chris Comments
welcome here
June
14, 2017
Left,
right, centre, time for a change
We
seem to have a need for labels, names for many disparate groups, somewhere
to hang our coat that is comfortable. We pair them up to help us realise
our membership, progressive or
traditional, left or right, classical or modern. We seek out the label
where we feel most at ease and make our nest with like-minded people. It
is not always quite so easy. With any identifiable group there will always
be areas of mismatch, where the fit is generally good but some rough spots
remain as irritants.
This
is especially true in a democracy where political parties gather round the
common principles of the group for the greater good. And on balance, we
can maintain our membership in good conscience. There may come a time of
course where disagreement results in our reviewing our membership and the
strain of conviction results in our leaving, with all the consequent upset
of relocation. I am sure in our recent general election there were those
of all political persuasions who, for the first time in a lifetime, voted
in a different way, who forsook the traditions of their family and showed
an independence of thought that can only be applauded.
It
is hard to emerge from traditional shadows where politics, lifestyle and
religious belief are so closely intertwined. In
Northern Ireland
, the orange and green identify a long and turbulent
history that has shaped our current days, a history that helped form the
tentative steps of the Good Friday Agreement. In England Scotland and
Wales
, the traditional opposition between the politics of
Left and Right, between red and blue still hold sway with their roots
deeply buried in historical precedent. Now, a few days after the General
Election, we face the uncertainty of a hung parliament. John Quincy Adams,
the 6th President of the
United States
, gave us a memorable quote. "Always
vote for principle though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the
sweet reflection that your note is never lost". Somehow during
the coming weeks there has to be a willingness to work together for the
common good, differing points of view require a working compromise.
Democracy is a messy idea but it is the best form of governance that we
have.
We
have tried attaching labels to groups within the Church, tried to identify
belief and social conviction with a neat phrase, which often, once
assumed, only hinders further conversation. Why can’t we accept that
first and foremost, a Christian has a belief in the presence and love of
Christ? If there are differences of opinion and practice, then we must
discuss them in the light of faith, with the guidance of prayer and in
charity.
In
recent weeks, we have lived through terrible events where anger and hatred
have sought to overcome love and compassion. These days have been
occasions of trauma and deep pain for so many and their journey is far
from over.
Yet
all must live together, listening and trying to be tolerant of differing
standpoints. Classification by convenient yet casual labelling in the end
achieves little and often leads only to confusion and mistrust. A
gathering of Imams in
London
sought to offer consolation and seek forgiveness for
recent terrorist atrocities. ‘Not in our name’ can such carnage be
justified was essence of their message.
Now
is the time for standing beside each other, not questioning what it is
that divides us but recognising our common humanity.
Unless
there is a convergence that recognises our co-responsibility, the
planetary home we pass to our grand children will indeed be a bleak place.
Maybe those of us who are in the Autumn of our years need to listen to our
children and grandchildren who are impatient with the rigidity of our
views. Too often we find ourselves imprisoned by our story, unable to
forge new paths because we are unable face the challenge of considering
alternatives. That’s the way we always did it, it worked then so why
shouldn’t it work now? Trouble is, now is very different from then. The
same solutions don’t apply.
How
do we reconcile this period of rapid adjustment as it affects the Church?
What is our individual responsibility as we navigate uncharted waters?
Certainly
the challenge is evident. For some, even thinking about tinkering at the
edges raises huge questions that are hard to cope with. For others there
is an impatience for change that is hard to contain. A Church relevant to
our times is one that listens with care, speaks with courage and acts in
faith. It is our responsibility to be that Church.
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