Three soldiers
killed in Afghanistan, following on from two killed just two weeks
before. As I talk to a variety of people, there seems to be a common
mind that peace-keeping work is the role for our armed forces. It
feels like we are now caught up in a war, pitting us against others
as the 'enemy'. If we are to be involved in other nations, it is
surely to work with
people, peace-keeping and peace-building.
I've been reading
through my father's letters from war-time and it's brought back the
conversations we had over the years about the morality and otherwise
of war, particularly given we try to be followers of Christ. It was
something extreme in the situation with Hitler that led to the
decision to sign up. Something extreme that all situations since have
never had, in his view. Dad really questioned his decision in
retrospect but came to accept that, at the time, and in the
understanding of the time, the call was to serve.
These memories
strengthen my view that Jesus turned the world upside down by
challenging the powers, without resorting to violence to overthrow
them. Self-sacrifice, yes. Anger at injustice (in the Temple), yes.
Yet, love your enemies, not hate them.
Our armed forces
achieve so much when they are providing safety and stability, and
given the task of helping to rebuild communities.
Our love and prayers
to those who have lost loved ones in these recent times, and to those
who are fearful of the coming months. Also, our prayers continue for
the people of Afghanistan, that one day they will have a homeland at
peace.
* * * *
An opportunity to
teach positive values for our society or evangelisation by stealth:
that's the debate underway at present concerning Bible-in-Schools in
New Zealand state primary schools.
I'm involved in this
programme at Riverview and Kaeo Primary Schools. For close to 25
years now and I've continued my involvement because, without it, our
secular education system, has no opportunity to share stories from
any faith heritage. Without faith stories, values can end up being
just abstract words. Without stories, topsy-turvy ideas like little
boy David standing up to giant bully Goliath and paying back wrong
with forgiveness would be totally unbelievable.
Unless our education
system can agree to include a well-resourced and well-delivered
course on Faith and Religion, we need Bible-in-Schools – done
appropriately – to help with education in an important aspect of
21st century life. If we don't have some understanding of the way
values and life-beliefs are a strong bond for people who share them
('religio' means to bind or to join), we will struggle to understand
most international issues and many of our own country's social
issues. What is more, if we don't develop an ability to identify
and reflect on our own personal values and life-beliefs, we can end
up at the mercy of advertising, peer pressure, and, in a word,
consumerism. Currently Bible-in-Schools is the only tool in the
school system to introduce young people to a major factor in the
lives of millions of people around the world.
I've been working
with St John Youth this year, taking them through the requirements
for their “Faith” badges. St John is founded on the work of a
Christian order in the age of the Crusades when the contest between
Muslim and Christian, and Jew, was at a peak. The purpose of the
order was to tend the wounded, and offer care and compassion to
whoever needed it.
For the younger ones
the Faith badge involves thinking about their own values and beliefs
and identifying ceremonies and festivals that are important in the
local community. For the next age-group up, they learn about the
beliefs and rituals of different people and about different faiths
and their festivals.
I'm enjoying it
because I have a chance to explore different faiths and be myself,
the chaplain who claims the name Christian among the mix of faiths.
I can encourage the children to name what they believe and see as of
real importance in life and see 'faith' as therefore relevant to
them. And this is especially the case for those who are not part of
any church, and who would perhaps claim to have no faith.
Is anyone without
faith? Without being part of an organised religion perhaps, but I
think everyone has basic beliefs steering their lives. What makes a
difference, as I see it, is being able to name them and reflect on
them; to grow through the journey of living to become who it is that
is most authenically 'me'.
Some of us find it
good to grow together, by gathering at church. I wonder what other
ways there might be for supporting the faith journey of another?
Shalom,
Robyn
I’m
trying to be a Christian. I’m working at it, and I'm amazed when
people walk up to me and say, “I'm a Christian.” I think,
Already? Wow! Maya
Angelou
