John Hawley, Archdeacon of Blackburn - calls for moral and spiritual renewal for the UK.
At 11.06pm on Tuesday night the world population stood at 6,600,329,497 people.
That's a whole lot of individuals with needs, hopes and fears.
At the same time there were 2,189,358,659 people who are part of the 21st century Christian family - a third of the world's population.
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There are more people who are focussing their lives on following Jesus now than at any other time in human history.
The teaching of Jesus with his emphasis on sacrificial love, and his passion for justice and truth are what our country has been founded upon.
The developments of the Welfare State, our Education system, our freedoms and our democracy come from these roots, and the teaching of Jesus.
So many people from all backgrounds, cultures and races in the world take his teaching seriously, so seriously that some are willing to be martyred because they follow Jesus.
Yet in the UK today the Christian church struggles to get the teaching of Jesus on any agenda.
Why is this? Is it because the institution of the church has been so ineffective over recent times?
Or is it because the UK population is content with its lot of leisure and materialism ?
Or is it because the 'hidden persuaders' - those in the secularist liberal establishment and the media - are winning the propaganda war by their arguments and by sidelining Christian leaders?
If so much good has come in this country from the teaching of Jesus then isn't it time we looked at his teaching again in a positive way?
We hear so much about youth violence, drug wars, criminal gangs and murders.
We are appalled at the way in which some elderly people are abused.
The growth in child abuse, as well as the increase in mental illness and depression describe a nation that needs to rediscover direction and build on stronger foundations.
Perhaps we have forgotten the foundation we had.
Politicians and media pundits never seem to get to the bottom of our national malaise - they seem to need a quick fix - either for the their popularity or for a good story.
Government advisers are often 'bright young things' from Oxbridge who have little experience of life, but are good at giving the PM a soundbite.
In Lent we look more at the challenging teaching of Jesus. The way he taught us to - 'Love our neighbour as we love ourselves'.
He even taught us to 'Love our enemies' - to learn forgiveness and service - to put others before yourself - and to work for the highest good of other people.
Surely, if we adopted his teaching again - when we vote in a democratic system we would vote for the good of the country as a whole and not simply for ourselves.
We would recapture that sense of respect for each individual person no matter what their age or status.
We would learn to trust and love our young people, and they would respond with respect.
We would see the development of sacrificial service, and a desire for excellence.
If this is to ever happen in our country then the Christian Church needs to wake up - and give priority to the teaching of Jesus - and to do it effectively with clarity, enthusiasm, courage and example.
Surely our nation needs renewal in moral and spiritual values - a third of the world's population have their focus on Jesus - so why don't we?
Posted by: Joseph Yossarian, London on 9:43am Wed 20 Feb 08
[quote] “The teaching of Jesus with his emphasis on sacrificial love, and his passion for justice and truth are what our country has been founded upon.”[/quote] And has resulted in the deaths of many who were persecuted for their beliefs at the hands of the supposedly religious.
“[quote]The developments of the Welfare State, our Education system, our freedoms and our democracy come from these roots, and the teaching of Jesus.[/quote] ”
What? Democracy comes from the new testament? You’ll have to go into a bit more detail on that one. I seem to remember the aparheid regime got its self justification from religious texts - just goes to show how easy it is to interpret to suit your own ends!
[quote]“So many people from all backgrounds, cultures and races in the world take his teaching seriously, so seriously that some are willing to be martyred because they follow Jesus.”[/quote] As typified by those pious types who blow themselves up today, believing that they are doing the work of their god. Martyrdom can be synonymous with brainwashed stupidity.
[quote]“Yet in the UK today the Christian church struggles to get the teaching of Jesus on any agenda. Why is this? Is it because the institution of the church has been so ineffective over recent times?Or is it because the UK population is content with its lot of leisure and materialism ?Or is it because the 'hidden persuaders' - those in the secularist liberal establishment and the media - are winning the propaganda war by their arguments and by sidelining Christian leaders?”[/quote] Or is it because the Church is increasingly out of touch, divided, misogynistic, homophobic, seen as filling it’s own pockets and lead by intellectual but misguided over-politicised clerics? A low opinion of the UK population doesn’t help; saying we are “content [italic]with leisure and materialism[/italic] ” is a downright affront to those of us who choose to work hard for our crust to support those in our care.
[quote]“The growth in child abuse, as well as the increase in mental illness and depression describe a nation that needs to rediscover direction and build on stronger foundations.”[/quote] Google “[italic]child abuse[/italic] ” with [italic]“church of England[/italic] ” and you would never let your kids near another c of e priest; abuse, cover ups, priests still practicing. An absolute disgrace.
Mental illness is often treatable by doctors just as effectively as a broken arm; religion is not the answer. If anything, indoctrination by dogma has a negative mental health effect.
[quote]“Politicians and media pundits never seem to get to the bottom of our national malaise - they seem to need a quick fix - either for the their popularity or for a good story.”[/quote] Or maybe they disagree with your analysis. Maybe your analysis is designed for the same purpose – to increase popularity (of the curch)
[quote]“Government advisers are often 'bright young things' from Oxbridge who have little experience of life, but are good at giving the PM a soundbite.”[/quote]
So why should an individual whose life experience is theological have more input? Long held belief in an all-powerful creator somehow gives the right to a more valid opinion than years of hard slog to get a very hard to obtain job? Not in my book.
One learns a lot more at university than BSc soundbite, and you will find in reality a more diverse section of society down here in the big smoke than you appear to give credit for.
[quote]In …etcetc… so why don't we?[/quote]
So why doesn’t the church act in accordance with the teachings of christ? Christ turned over the tables of the money lenders (or so we are told). So why does the church speculate on the stock market, lend money to developers, develop properties purely for profit etc etc etc
Maybe the fact that a lot of people have lost respect for the church is down to…..the actions and words of the church! Not least the rather inappropriate comments of the archidiot of Canterbury….this one
[quote]“he United States wields its power in a way that is worse than Britain during its imperial heyday[/quote] ” suggests that when Britain was a much more Christian nation as you appear to crave - that we as a nation behaved in a manner deemed unacceptable. Is that what your blog is really suggesting we go back to?
“The teaching of Jesus with his emphasis on sacrificial love, and his passion for justice and truth are what our country has been founded upon.”
And has resulted in the deaths of many who were persecuted for their beliefs at the hands of the supposedly religious.
“
The developments of the Welfare State, our Education system, our freedoms and our democracy come from these roots, and the teaching of Jesus.
”
What? Democracy comes from the new testament? You’ll have to go into a bit more detail on that one. I seem to remember the aparheid regime got its self justification from religious texts - just goes to show how easy it is to interpret to suit your own ends!
“So many people from all backgrounds, cultures and races in the world take his teaching seriously, so seriously that some are willing to be martyred because they follow Jesus.”
As typified by those pious types who blow themselves up today, believing that they are doing the work of their god. Martyrdom can be synonymous with brainwashed stupidity.
“Yet in the UK today the Christian church struggles to get the teaching of Jesus on any agenda. Why is this? Is it because the institution of the church has been so ineffective over recent times?Or is it because the UK population is content with its lot of leisure and materialism ?Or is it because the 'hidden persuaders' - those in the secularist liberal establishment and the media - are winning the propaganda war by their arguments and by sidelining Christian leaders?”
Or is it because the Church is increasingly out of touch, divided, misogynistic, homophobic, seen as filling it’s own pockets and lead by intellectual but misguided over-politicised clerics? A low opinion of the UK population doesn’t help; saying we are “content with leisure and materialism ” is a downright affront to those of us who choose to work hard for our crust to support those in our care.
“The growth in child abuse, as well as the increase in mental illness and depression describe a nation that needs to rediscover direction and build on stronger foundations.”
Google “child abuse ” with “church of England ” and you would never let your kids near another c of e priest; abuse, cover ups, priests still practicing. An absolute disgrace.
Mental illness is often treatable by doctors just as effectively as a broken arm; religion is not the answer. If anything, indoctrination by dogma has a negative mental health effect.
“Politicians and media pundits never seem to get to the bottom of our national malaise - they seem to need a quick fix - either for the their popularity or for a good story.”
Or maybe they disagree with your analysis. Maybe your analysis is designed for the same purpose – to increase popularity (of the curch)
“Government advisers are often 'bright young things' from Oxbridge who have little experience of life, but are good at giving the PM a soundbite.”
So why should an individual whose life experience is theological have more input? Long held belief in an all-powerful creator somehow gives the right to a more valid opinion than years of hard slog to get a very hard to obtain job? Not in my book.
One learns a lot more at university than BSc soundbite, and you will find in reality a more diverse section of society down here in the big smoke than you appear to give credit for.
In …etcetc… so why don't we?
So why doesn’t the church act in accordance with the teachings of christ? Christ turned over the tables of the money lenders (or so we are told). So why does the church speculate on the stock market, lend money to developers, develop properties purely for profit etc etc etc
Maybe the fact that a lot of people have lost respect for the church is down to…..the actions and words of the church! Not least the rather inappropriate comments of the archidiot of Canterbury….this one
“he United States wields its power in a way that is worse than Britain during its imperial heyday
” suggests that when Britain was a much more Christian nation as you appear to crave - that we as a nation behaved in a manner deemed unacceptable. Is that what your blog is really suggesting we go back to?
Posted by: Archdeacon of Blackburn, Blackburn on 12:09pm Wed 20 Feb 08
Hi Joseph,
thanks for reading the blog - and wow - you have quite a lot to say too. If you look again you will see that the focus I want us all to think about is the challenging teaching of Jesus - `Love your neighbour` - even - `Love your enemies` This is his teaching - and he was put to death on a cross. His teaching is hugely challenging to all of us - and even if the church has n`t got it right -then surely the teaching of Jesus - and I would say the kind of person he was - has a lot to say to all of us about what ought to be the focus of our lives, and the kind of teaching we need to take more notice of in our country. How can this be achieved ? Certainly the Christian Church needs to change how it is - and society needs to want to take notice too - but how do you change a society ? Persoanlly as a Christian I reflect on the way I live my life on a daioly basis. As a priest in the Church of England I take seriously daily confession after personal; reflection - and look at the way I live my life to see what aspects of my way of life and my attitudes need to change. I am not perfect - but the teaching and the person of Jesus are for me - the focus of my life.
John H.
Hi Joseph,
thanks for reading the blog - and wow - you have quite a lot to say too. If you look again you will see that the focus I want us all to think about is the challenging teaching of Jesus - `Love your neighbour` - even - `Love your enemies` This is his teaching - and he was put to death on a cross. His teaching is hugely challenging to all of us - and even if the church has n`t got it right -then surely the teaching of Jesus - and I would say the kind of person he was - has a lot to say to all of us about what ought to be the focus of our lives, and the kind of teaching we need to take more notice of in our country. How can this be achieved ? Certainly the Christian Church needs to change how it is - and society needs to want to take notice too - but how do you change a society ? Persoanlly as a Christian I reflect on the way I live my life on a daioly basis. As a priest in the Church of England I take seriously daily confession after personal; reflection - and look at the way I live my life to see what aspects of my way of life and my attitudes need to change. I am not perfect - but the teaching and the person of Jesus are for me - the focus of my life.
Posted by: James Cronshaw, Burnley on 12:17pm Wed 20 Feb 08
The Teaching of Jesus is little Understood. Man has to a large extent created the image of Jesus as the person they want him to be. The person they want to be.
Jesus was a Man at Peace. He was a Man who enjoyed Perfect Peace. When we talk about Peace we are talking about the absence of wars, we are talking about an external, temporary Peace, we are talking about a way of resolving arguments, making compromises and tolerating our neighbours.
What we are talking about is not Peace. Peace is a Beautiful Feeling. Peace is a constant need for a Man. What Man has done is substituted the Feeling of Peace with an explanation of Peace. Real Peace is not an explanation, Real Peace is a wonderful experience! That experience is Eternal within Man, because the need for Peace is Eternal within Man.
Where there should be Peace, Man has ushered in justifications for conflict. Where there should be Understanding and Clarity, Man has ushered in confusions and doubts. Where there should be the Freedom of Joy, Man has ushered in reasons for misery.
Peace is a Beautiful Feeling. Jesus came to remind People that they should get in touch with the Heart of their own Being. The domain of limitless Eternal Peace, Clarity and Joy!
Many People talk about Peace, definitions explanations, theories and formulaes. Jesus actualy experienced it, He valued the need for it. He enjoyed it.
The Teaching of Jesus is little Understood. Man has to a large extent created the image of Jesus as the person they want him to be. The person they want to be.
Jesus was a Man at Peace. He was a Man who enjoyed Perfect Peace. When we talk about Peace we are talking about the absence of wars, we are talking about an external, temporary Peace, we are talking about a way of resolving arguments, making compromises and tolerating our neighbours.
What we are talking about is not Peace. Peace is a Beautiful Feeling. Peace is a constant need for a Man. What Man has done is substituted the Feeling of Peace with an explanation of Peace. Real Peace is not an explanation, Real Peace is a wonderful experience! That experience is Eternal within Man, because the need for Peace is Eternal within Man.
Where there should be Peace, Man has ushered in justifications for conflict. Where there should be Understanding and Clarity, Man has ushered in confusions and doubts. Where there should be the Freedom of Joy, Man has ushered in reasons for misery.
Peace is a Beautiful Feeling. Jesus came to remind People that they should get in touch with the Heart of their own Being. The domain of limitless Eternal Peace, Clarity and Joy!
Many People talk about Peace, definitions explanations, theories and formulaes. Jesus actualy experienced it, He valued the need for it. He enjoyed it.
Posted by: Archdeacon of Blackburn, Blackburn on 1:06pm Wed 20 Feb 08
James
Thank you not only for your response to this blog but all ther times you have made comment during this season of Lent to all the blogs.
As far as I can say - The peace that passes understanding - the Shalom of God - is when you klnow the living presence of God in your life - and that comes through what Jesus has done for us by the cross and the resurrection -defeating sin and death.
Peace is about having your personal security in your trust of God through Jesus.
John Hawley
James
Thank you not only for your response to this blog but all ther times you have made comment during this season of Lent to all the blogs.
As far as I can say - The peace that passes understanding - the Shalom of God - is when you klnow the living presence of God in your life - and that comes through what Jesus has done for us by the cross and the resurrection -defeating sin and death.
Peace is about having your personal security in your trust of God through Jesus.
Posted by: James Cronshaw, Burnley on 1:13pm Wed 20 Feb 08
Real Peace needs to be received. It needs to be felt. It is not something that can be taught. The feeling can only be uncovered, it can be discovered. The [bold]need[/bold] for Peace has to be recognised. Not as a group, but recognised by You the Individual. There needs to be a clear Understanding that you need it. Peace is not a commodity that can be distributed. Peace resides within you.
According to your need, Peace will unfold for you. For You.
Real Peace needs to be received. It needs to be felt. It is not something that can be taught. The feeling can only be uncovered, it can be discovered. The need for Peace has to be recognised. Not as a group, but recognised by You the Individual. There needs to be a clear Understanding that you need it. Peace is not a commodity that can be distributed. Peace resides within you.
According to your need, Peace will unfold for you. For You.
Posted by: James cronshaw, Burnley on 2:50pm Wed 20 Feb 08
The Bedrock of any Humane Society is that Beautiful Feeling of Peace.
The Main error of Christianity and every other Religion on the face of this earth is a very simple one.
Religion has placed it's own [bold]formulae[/bold] for Peace ahead of, in front of, and before that Beautiful Feeling.
The Bedrock of any Humane Society is that Beautiful Feeling of Peace.
The Main error of Christianity and every other Religion on the face of this earth is a very simple one.
Religion has placed it's own formulae for Peace ahead of, in front of, and before that Beautiful Feeling.
Posted by: Ian the Beancounter, Darwen on 11:45am Thu 21 Feb 08
Sorry Archdeacon! If you had read the earlier exchange between James & I, you might have realised that this is a joke with him regarding his spelling. I am not agreeing or disagreeing with you as I regard any talk of God or Jesus as unjustifiable fairy tales.
Sorry Archdeacon! If you had read the earlier exchange between James & I, you might have realised that this is a joke with him regarding his spelling. I am not agreeing or disagreeing with you as I regard any talk of God or Jesus as unjustifiable fairy tales.
Posted by: James Cronshaw, Burnley on 12:39pm Thu 21 Feb 08
Dear Archbeacon,
Ian is there to check my spelling, it's a hobby. He's obviously more educated than I but I don't hold that against him.
Ian has rejected religion. I think we both share that in common. Although I Accept the existence of a Supreme Creator.
A lot of Atheists have thrown out the baby with the bath water. Your parents, my parents, Ians parents created a body. They did not create your Sense of Being, they did not create the Beautiful Feeling of You. They did not create Contentment, Understanding, Joy, Fulfillment. From the physical comes the physical attributes. From the Eternal comes the Eternal attributes.
Atheism is a non-prophet organisation. If there is a God, then God is definitely an Atheist. If there is no God then Atheism is the True Religion. Either way Atheism is the most sensible option.
God is not a Christian and neither was Jesus. He was born a Jew but did not subscribe to Judaism any more than Allah subscribes to Islam.
Dear Archbeacon,
Ian is there to check my spelling, it's a hobby. He's obviously more educated than I but I don't hold that against him.
Ian has rejected religion. I think we both share that in common. Although I Accept the existence of a Supreme Creator.
A lot of Atheists have thrown out the baby with the bath water. Your parents, my parents, Ians parents created a body. They did not create your Sense of Being, they did not create the Beautiful Feeling of You. They did not create Contentment, Understanding, Joy, Fulfillment. From the physical comes the physical attributes. From the Eternal comes the Eternal attributes.
Atheism is a non-prophet organisation. If there is a God, then God is definitely an Atheist. If there is no God then Atheism is the True Religion. Either way Atheism is the most sensible option.
God is not a Christian and neither was Jesus. He was born a Jew but did not subscribe to Judaism any more than Allah subscribes to Islam.
Posted by: James Cronshaw, Burnley on 12:58pm Thu 21 Feb 08
Regarding Faith
The Creator has put Faith in Your Heart. Faith is something that resides in the Heart of your Being. It is the Abode of Faith.
If the Creator can put it's Faith in the Heart of your own Being.
Why is it that Mankind cannot do that ?
Regarding Faith
The Creator has put Faith in Your Heart. Faith is something that resides in the Heart of your Being. It is the Abode of Faith.
If the Creator can put it's Faith in the Heart of your own Being.
Posted by: Archdeacon John, Blackburn on 9:58pm Sun 16 Mar 08
From Archdeacon John
Bloggers just watch `The Passion` on BBC 1 in Holy Week - I think it will get us blogging again. It looks as if its going to be Good stuff if the first episode is anything to go by.
Impression is that Jesus came to bring a new kind of living - based on love and acceptance and forgiveness - if the church I serve has not really lived all this out - then I apologise but that doesn`t invalidate the message - nor THE MAN - JESUS.
Archdeacon John
From Archdeacon John
Bloggers just watch `The Passion` on BBC 1 in Holy Week - I think it will get us blogging again. It looks as if its going to be Good stuff if the first episode is anything to go by.
Impression is that Jesus came to bring a new kind of living - based on love and acceptance and forgiveness - if the church I serve has not really lived all this out - then I apologise but that doesn`t invalidate the message - nor THE MAN - JESUS.
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