Two issues of concern

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.

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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