Martyn Hassall, the Blackburn Diocesan communications officer, writes about the controversy China provokes in political and religious circles.
The Archbishop of Canterbury was missing. One question must have ricocheted round a hundred media news rooms.
"Where the (expletive probably not deleted) is Rowan?"
The answer, little reported when it was revealed, was that the Archbishop's ambitiously elastic mind had reached China.
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The day after his speech about faith and law had been catapulted into headlines, the Archbishop was hosting a study day with 11 Chinese and British academics.
Its theme of "Religion in the Public Square" was engagingly close to what much of the media were eager to discuss with him.
But while The Sun despatched its battle bus and a brace of Page Three Stunners to blockade Lambeth Palace with 'Bash the Bishop' (sic) banners, the Archbishop was celebrating "a most unusual and worthwhile encounter" with the probably non-Sun reading Regius Professor of Divinity at Cambridge University and the Professor of Modern Chinese History at Shanghai Normal University.
Timing is essence in journalism, and Rowan and China are newsworthy.
Perceptions of Dr Williams' verbal spaghetti on sharia law are continuing to make headlines, and China has yet to occur.
'China study day at Lambeth' flags up learned discussions on different social contexts' and heavyweight professorial papers on the place of religion in Chinese society.
China, in most minds, shouts billion pound Olympics. Later this year they will come together.
China baffles most of us in the West. It appears the ultimate contradiction; a turbo-charged capitalist-Communist mutual appreciation society.
Political sensitivities have already produced stories of Olympic athletes being advised: "Don't mention Tibet".
Only last week a religious news service reported that the president of the Chinese House Church Alliance was alleging "relentless persecution" by the Chinese authorities.
Was this an indication of "the serious attention now paid by Chinese scholars to religious issues and to the potential of faith for deepening the moral vision of society", included in the Lambeth Palace discussions?
China has for decades been controversial among Western Christians, divided in their support for the 'official' church in China and the unofficial 'house church' movement, and divided also by allegations of compromise and martyrdom.
China is equally capable of provoking controversy in a far wider public if it tries to mask social and political injustice and environmental abuse behind the five gold rings of the Olympic logo.
So perhaps our sometimes baffling Archbishop was on to something, within the apparently detached academic agenda?
Jesus, the radical teacher who would have had the Sun's battle bus in permanent attendance, talked of going 'the extra mile' in efforts to effect understanding and reconciliation with those who might be considered enemies.
He told a barbed story about a 'good Samaritan'- the equivalent of an anti-apartheid campaigner crediting a racist with a passion for human rights.
The Lambeth scholars were discussing something equally difficult and generous; the ability to attempt understanding between radically different cultures and beliefs.
It calls for the considered silence any person of faith can call prayer, and for some gold medal thinking in Olympics year.
Posted by: simplysimon, burnley on 3:05pm Thu 6 Mar 08
Are you saying that the Arch-bish is trying to restore harmony and accorde between diverse cultures and beliefs? Is that what it means to be a Christian?
Is that what Jesus did? and if that is what Jesus came here to do. Why is the Arch-bish and many other Christians trying to be Jesus.
The Arch-bish is not Jesus is he ? Christians are not Jesus are they ? Why do they try to emulate Jesus. Jesus was Jesus. You are you. The Arch-bish is the Arch-bish.
Are you saying that the Arch-bish is trying to restore harmony and accorde between diverse cultures and beliefs? Is that what it means to be a Christian?
Is that what Jesus did? and if that is what Jesus came here to do. Why is the Arch-bish and many other Christians trying to be Jesus.
The Arch-bish is not Jesus is he ? Christians are not Jesus are they ? Why do they try to emulate Jesus. Jesus was Jesus. You are you. The Arch-bish is the Arch-bish.
Posted by: Joseph Yossarian, London on 6:33pm Thu 6 Mar 08
[italic]as (not really) heard in the tea rooms at Canterbury Cathedral[/italic]
Archbish lefty footinmouth says:
Quick! We have to get into china! Business is doing it so why not us? We have to think of the future of Anglicanism!
Think of all those billions of people we can convert to our faith!
New churches everywhere! Collection tins full of money and counterfeit rolex! Imagine the opportunities! Best opportunity for us since the civil war!
Better get in before the catholics, the baptists, the mormons, the Peoples Front of Judea, the Judean Peoples front and all the others.
As soon as they de-link the currency from the dollar all the collection money will be worth an absolute fortune!
Kerr-ching!!!!
[italic]Friar sausage chirps up from the back:[/italic]
What if we outsource our evening prayers to China? We could get four times as much prayer for a quarter of the outlay.....
as (not really) heard in the tea rooms at Canterbury Cathedral
Archbish lefty footinmouth says:
Quick! We have to get into china! Business is doing it so why not us? We have to think of the future of Anglicanism!
Think of all those billions of people we can convert to our faith!
New churches everywhere! Collection tins full of money and counterfeit rolex! Imagine the opportunities! Best opportunity for us since the civil war!
Better get in before the catholics, the baptists, the mormons, the Peoples Front of Judea, the Judean Peoples front and all the others.
As soon as they de-link the currency from the dollar all the collection money will be worth an absolute fortune!
Kerr-ching!!!!
Friar sausage chirps up from the back:
What if we outsource our evening prayers to China? We could get four times as much prayer for a quarter of the outlay.....
Simplysimon I think Christians try to emulate and follow the teachings of Jesus, because they truly believe that what he showed us what the right way to live and his teaching have endured for over two thousand years. Jews and Hindus practise their beliefs which both pre-date Christianity. They too follow their chosen path to reach the ultimate truth and knowledge. I think the power and enormity of this Truth and Knowledge is too vast for any human to know and survive and that we learn it operhaps only at the moment of death. But simplysimon as you seem to have the power to show us, why confine your teachings to a Lenten Blog? Why not shout them out to the world, why not proclaim in a loud voice your beliefs?
Simplysimon I think Christians try to emulate and follow the teachings of Jesus, because they truly believe that what he showed us what the right way to live and his teaching have endured for over two thousand years. Jews and Hindus practise their beliefs which both pre-date Christianity. They too follow their chosen path to reach the ultimate truth and knowledge. I think the power and enormity of this Truth and Knowledge is too vast for any human to know and survive and that we learn it operhaps only at the moment of death. But simplysimon as you seem to have the power to show us, why confine your teachings to a Lenten Blog? Why not shout them out to the world, why not proclaim in a loud voice your beliefs?
Posted by: simplysimon, burnley on 12:45pm Fri 7 Mar 08
Hi Anne,
The Eternal predates eveything, it predates the Christians, the Jews, the Muslims and the Hindus. It predates the entire physical Universe. It was there before the Universe.
What these Religions are actualy doing is interpreting the teaching. Jesus did not say interpret the teaching. He did not say follow the interpretation.
Jesus said 'I am the way to Eternal Life' As far as I am aware, he did not say 'when you are dead you can have Eternal Life.'
Every Religion has interpreted the Truth of Eternal Life as something that only happens once you are dead. This is a BIG, BIG, BIG, Massive, Enormous, mis-interpretation.
What Jesus did, was not 'teach' but reveal The ETERNAL. He did not 'preach' He showed.
The difference is a practical one. Jesus Revealed to those who felt they needed 'to know' The Eternal. Not a theory, He gave them a practical way of meeting, encountering, examining, studying, The Eternal.
The moment you encounter the Eternal, you become Immortal. You will never be subject to Death. Jesus prooved that very point at the resurrection. He had to leave the body of Jesus but this did not in any way diminish his power to exist.
Death is just a bad rumour. It is not the end of a previous Life. It is not the beginning of a new Life. It is just one event in Eternal Life. If you are ALIVE today, You have Eternal Life.
What Religion has done is coerced People into the mind-set that Eternal Life begins after Death. How can Eternal Life Begin ? It is ETERNAL! You already have it!
What you need is a way, a method, a means, of identifying that part of you that always was, is and always will be Your Eternal Life.
Jesus came to give the Knowledge that would allow a person to Identify and Appreciate that part of themseves that is Truly Eternal.
Those People found Heaven BEFORE death. His biggest obstacle was finding those who wanted to KNOW The Truth [bold]before[/bold] Death.
Even at that time, People were of the belief that Heaven, the Truth and Life Eternal would only be found after Death.
Jesus proclaimed otherwise. 'The Kingdom of Heaven is within you' He presented Mankind with a way to enter that Beautiful Place.
A very practical way. A simple way. 'come to me with the Heart of a child' without concepts, in a child-like way. A sincere way. An Honest way.
The Eternal is not subject to mans beliefs. Mans beliefs can change. They can be changed. They are subject to change. Jesus showed People the way, he gave People the means. He did not offer another system of belief.
I am not here to offer Mankind a belief. This is an opportunity to enter into that Eternal Place. That Place is Eternal. It is Perfect. It has never changed.
It is within you. Not outside. Not Imaginary. Not in the Future. Not in the Past. It is [bold]within you![/bold]
Hi Anne,
The Eternal predates eveything, it predates the Christians, the Jews, the Muslims and the Hindus. It predates the entire physical Universe. It was there before the Universe.
What these Religions are actualy doing is interpreting the teaching. Jesus did not say interpret the teaching. He did not say follow the interpretation.
Jesus said 'I am the way to Eternal Life' As far as I am aware, he did not say 'when you are dead you can have Eternal Life.'
Every Religion has interpreted the Truth of Eternal Life as something that only happens once you are dead. This is a BIG, BIG, BIG, Massive, Enormous, mis-interpretation.
What Jesus did, was not 'teach' but reveal The ETERNAL. He did not 'preach' He showed.
The difference is a practical one. Jesus Revealed to those who felt they needed 'to know' The Eternal. Not a theory, He gave them a practical way of meeting, encountering, examining, studying, The Eternal.
The moment you encounter the Eternal, you become Immortal. You will never be subject to Death. Jesus prooved that very point at the resurrection. He had to leave the body of Jesus but this did not in any way diminish his power to exist.
Death is just a bad rumour. It is not the end of a previous Life. It is not the beginning of a new Life. It is just one event in Eternal Life. If you are ALIVE today, You have Eternal Life.
What Religion has done is coerced People into the mind-set that Eternal Life begins after Death. How can Eternal Life Begin ? It is ETERNAL! You already have it!
What you need is a way, a method, a means, of identifying that part of you that always was, is and always will be Your Eternal Life.
Jesus came to give the Knowledge that would allow a person to Identify and Appreciate that part of themseves that is Truly Eternal.
Those People found Heaven BEFORE death. His biggest obstacle was finding those who wanted to KNOW The Truth before Death.
Even at that time, People were of the belief that Heaven, the Truth and Life Eternal would only be found after Death.
Jesus proclaimed otherwise. 'The Kingdom of Heaven is within you' He presented Mankind with a way to enter that Beautiful Place.
A very practical way. A simple way. 'come to me with the Heart of a child' without concepts, in a child-like way. A sincere way. An Honest way.
The Eternal is not subject to mans beliefs. Mans beliefs can change. They can be changed. They are subject to change. Jesus showed People the way, he gave People the means. He did not offer another system of belief.
I am not here to offer Mankind a belief. This is an opportunity to enter into that Eternal Place. That Place is Eternal. It is Perfect. It has never changed.
It is within you. Not outside. Not Imaginary. Not in the Future. Not in the Past. It is within you!
Posted by: Nostradamous, B/BURN on 5:01pm Fri 7 Mar 08
Best yet that one James,and tbh i am with you all the way,very well put and for the first time i did get a good understanding of where you are coming from.and NOT much unlike my view of Christianity.
Best yet that one James,and tbh i am with you all the way,very well put and for the first time i did get a good understanding of where you are coming from.and NOT much unlike my view of Christianity.
Posted by: simplysimon, burnley on 2:36pm Sat 8 Mar 08
Hi Nosty,
You can enter that Eternal Place today, if you have the Knowledge that will enable you to do that.
Christianity suggests we find Heaven after Death. I DON'T AGREE. with Christianity or ANY Religion that accepts death.
Hi Nosty,
You can enter that Eternal Place today, if you have the Knowledge that will enable you to do that.
Christianity suggests we find Heaven after Death. I DON'T AGREE. with Christianity or ANY Religion that accepts death.
Posted by: simplysimon, burnley on 4:01pm Sat 8 Mar 08
Dear Ann,
I have just been re-reading your previous post. You ask why I don't shout out my teachings to the world.
I do not offer Mankind a teaching. I am offering to show Mankind the Eternal. I can do that for Mankind. If Mankind wants another Religion, another belief system, another set of nice sounding theories and speculations and rhetoric about all the things he has no Knowledge of then I cannot help Mankind.
I dont just offer words. I am here to present Mankind with an opportunity. If Man does not wish to take the opportunity whilst he is Alive. I can do nothing for Mankind.
Many, many People have already taken the opportunity. People from all over the world have already come. I do not exclude anyone who is genuine and sincere. I am not here to sell anything. I have nothing to sell.
I can only present Man with the opportunity. I cannot embrace the opportunity for Man.
Dear Ann,
I have just been re-reading your previous post. You ask why I don't shout out my teachings to the world.
I do not offer Mankind a teaching. I am offering to show Mankind the Eternal. I can do that for Mankind. If Mankind wants another Religion, another belief system, another set of nice sounding theories and speculations and rhetoric about all the things he has no Knowledge of then I cannot help Mankind.
I dont just offer words. I am here to present Mankind with an opportunity. If Man does not wish to take the opportunity whilst he is Alive. I can do nothing for Mankind.
Many, many People have already taken the opportunity. People from all over the world have already come. I do not exclude anyone who is genuine and sincere. I am not here to sell anything. I have nothing to sell.
I can only present Man with the opportunity. I cannot embrace the opportunity for Man.
"Best yet that one James,and tbh i am with you all the way,very well put and for the first time i did get a good understanding of where you are coming from". Sooo.....
Simplysimon must be James. James Cronshaw I presume. So why hide behind that silly name, James?
Regarding the second part of the above quotation, no, no, no, no. It was not well put and never has been.
Forgive me. Its not been the greatest day.
"Best yet that one James,and tbh i am with you all the way,very well put and for the first time i did get a good understanding of where you are coming from". Sooo.....
Simplysimon must be James. James Cronshaw I presume. So why hide behind that silly name, James?
Regarding the second part of the above quotation, no, no, no, no. It was not well put and never has been.
Posted by: simplysimon, burnley on 2:58pm Sun 9 Mar 08
Dear Annoyed,
Peace, You must have. Peace is a necessity, not an option. You must experience Peace in your Life. In your DAY! This is Important. I have nothing to sell, I have something to Show. I have nothing to teach, I have something to remind. And You do [bold]need[/bold] to remember.
Every day their needs to be a CLEAR Priority in this Life. This is required.
Not by someone screaming that it would be something that would be nice, but by the elegance of each and every day that comes into your Life. By your own Existence. Courting that Clarity, Breath by Breath.
By this wonderful happening, by this Sweet and Beautiful Heart within you that knocks and pleads again and again and again, to be Fulfilled. To be Complete. To feel Complete. To Understand. To make each Day a Whole Day!
Dear Annoyed,
Peace, You must have. Peace is a necessity, not an option. You must experience Peace in your Life. In your DAY! This is Important. I have nothing to sell, I have something to Show. I have nothing to teach, I have something to remind. And You do need to remember.
Every day their needs to be a CLEAR Priority in this Life. This is required.
Not by someone screaming that it would be something that would be nice, but by the elegance of each and every day that comes into your Life. By your own Existence. Courting that Clarity, Breath by Breath.
By this wonderful happening, by this Sweet and Beautiful Heart within you that knocks and pleads again and again and again, to be Fulfilled. To be Complete. To feel Complete. To Understand. To make each Day a Whole Day!
Posted by: Nostradamous, B/burn on 8:51am Mon 10 Mar 08
Dear oh dear annoyed!that is not the way to express yourself in a debate that clearly is beyond your comprehension,please accept the fact that not all poeple see the way to god in the same way that you do,i take that view and i am at piece with myself and the world i have grasped as near as my mind will allow me the thinking of James,but if you were to contribute something totally different and quite unique i wouldnt in my wildest dreams think you are a loony,or ill or something i would listen my friend and form my own quiet oppinion if by some chance you are so puffed up that you think no one else is right only you then WHY join a debate anyhow?no one will ever change your oppinion,please try and be a real christian and that doesnt just me looking good at tea parties and going to church on Sundays..lol
Dear oh dear annoyed!that is not the way to express yourself in a debate that clearly is beyond your comprehension,please accept the fact that not all poeple see the way to god in the same way that you do,i take that view and i am at piece with myself and the world i have grasped as near as my mind will allow me the thinking of James,but if you were to contribute something totally different and quite unique i wouldnt in my wildest dreams think you are a loony,or ill or something i would listen my friend and form my own quiet oppinion if by some chance you are so puffed up that you think no one else is right only you then WHY join a debate anyhow?no one will ever change your oppinion,please try and be a real christian and that doesnt just me looking good at tea parties and going to church on Sundays..lol
Posted by: simplysimon, burnley on 6:29pm Mon 10 Mar 08
Dear Annoyed,
I am greatly heartened by your previous post. I am pleased that you have understood that I am not here to teach anything. You are correct, I am not here to teach. The world is full of People with something to teach.
I don't know what they think they are teaching but it seems like a distraction of almost never ending formulae away from the Truth rather Direct Access to it.
Man has been Included in the Truth. He has not been at any time separated from it. What man has done is exclude himself from the Eternal.
He has put his own limits on it. These limits are many, they are not good. There is no reason for man to place these reasons, these barriers between himself and the Truth.
He has invented reasons why he cannot know the Eternal. It's time to throw all those reasons aside. Put the burden of reason down.
The Eternal is available for no reason. The ETERNAL does not even need a reason to Exist.
You EXIST! Embrace that! There can be no greater, astonishing Miracle than that! Don't weigh it, don't measure it, don't put a single condition upon that.
Rememberance is a Beautiful thing. It's Intoxicating! Stay close to that rememberance. You Really do Exist! In good times and in bad times. Stay close to that un-changeable reality and you will find Bliss beyond your wildest imagination.
You can fall in Love with Existence. Every single Day! Anticipate that every single Day!
Let your Heart soak in that!
Dear Annoyed,
I am greatly heartened by your previous post. I am pleased that you have understood that I am not here to teach anything. You are correct, I am not here to teach. The world is full of People with something to teach.
I don't know what they think they are teaching but it seems like a distraction of almost never ending formulae away from the Truth rather Direct Access to it.
Man has been Included in the Truth. He has not been at any time separated from it. What man has done is exclude himself from the Eternal.
He has put his own limits on it. These limits are many, they are not good. There is no reason for man to place these reasons, these barriers between himself and the Truth.
He has invented reasons why he cannot know the Eternal. It's time to throw all those reasons aside. Put the burden of reason down.
The Eternal is available for no reason. The ETERNAL does not even need a reason to Exist.
You EXIST! Embrace that! There can be no greater, astonishing Miracle than that! Don't weigh it, don't measure it, don't put a single condition upon that.
Rememberance is a Beautiful thing. It's Intoxicating! Stay close to that rememberance. You Really do Exist! In good times and in bad times. Stay close to that un-changeable reality and you will find Bliss beyond your wildest imagination.
You can fall in Love with Existence. Every single Day! Anticipate that every single Day!
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