This year Easter has taken centre stage in what some see as a 21st century Battle for Britain. Many on the Left speak of the ‘culture wars’, growing intolerance and even increasing racism. Many on the right speak about ‘wanting my country back’, loss of British values and an increasing erosion of Britishness. Some like myself veer between despair at the growing extremism on both sides. At the heart of it all swirls discord around levels of immigration and what it is to be British. It could not therefore have been more provocative that the calendar placed Easter within the month of Ramadan. For the last years we seem to have an annual debate about the public marking of Ramadan, from politicians and Government bodies to supermarkets and posters on public transport. This year there was obviously a lot more heat around that as people were comparing the visible celebration of a holy Muslim month to that of the most holy time for Christians. ‘Ramadan lights’, (which I understand from Muslim friends aren’t even traditional) appeared in central London. Easter decorations have been sparse if not absent from public places.
Indeed the task ahead is going to be tough for many, like me, who have not actively evangelised before. Some faiths do seem to protect their core messages with vigour, although this can quickly lead to terrible behaviour.
The Archbishop of Canterbury has quite a lot of form when it comes to toning down the Christian message, so perhaps Mr Graham reacted on the basis of 'here we go again' rather than taking this beautiful message at face value.
Very well said Romy. Sorry I've been quiet, we've had some unwelcome news about my mum. It is a difficult time. However I quite agree that most people completely miss the true meaning behind Easter. Personally I haven't seen any public celebrations of Ramadan on my travels this weekend, but lots of Easter paraphernalia in retail outlets. We're going to Ripon on Thursday and no doubt the city centre will be bedecked with knitted eggs and knitted bunting, pillar boxes resplendent in Easter bonnets! As it is every Easter.....People like Mike Graham are doing us no favours with their ignorance masquerading as Christianity. I don't like Justin Welby at all, but his post is moving and pertinent, simply expressed.
Cultural Christianity will not suffice anymore. It's erosion I see as part of a greater 'sifting' or revealing of where people really stand. At the same time I believe the opportunity for 'harvest' is great. There are those, who perhaps themselves had been culturally Christian, now realising that this is where the rubber hits the road and they need to make a profession of faith in Christ for themselves. I'm seeing this across the "truther" movement particularly. God is still on the move!
Brilliant Romy! very insightful and pertinent in these polarised times
Indeed the task ahead is going to be tough for many, like me, who have not actively evangelised before. Some faiths do seem to protect their core messages with vigour, although this can quickly lead to terrible behaviour.
The Archbishop of Canterbury has quite a lot of form when it comes to toning down the Christian message, so perhaps Mr Graham reacted on the basis of 'here we go again' rather than taking this beautiful message at face value.
How long will you dally between two extremes?
“Some like myself veer between despair at the growing extremism on both sides”
Very well said Romy. Sorry I've been quiet, we've had some unwelcome news about my mum. It is a difficult time. However I quite agree that most people completely miss the true meaning behind Easter. Personally I haven't seen any public celebrations of Ramadan on my travels this weekend, but lots of Easter paraphernalia in retail outlets. We're going to Ripon on Thursday and no doubt the city centre will be bedecked with knitted eggs and knitted bunting, pillar boxes resplendent in Easter bonnets! As it is every Easter.....People like Mike Graham are doing us no favours with their ignorance masquerading as Christianity. I don't like Justin Welby at all, but his post is moving and pertinent, simply expressed.
Cultural Christianity will not suffice anymore. It's erosion I see as part of a greater 'sifting' or revealing of where people really stand. At the same time I believe the opportunity for 'harvest' is great. There are those, who perhaps themselves had been culturally Christian, now realising that this is where the rubber hits the road and they need to make a profession of faith in Christ for themselves. I'm seeing this across the "truther" movement particularly. God is still on the move!
well said