Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Christian voices in the public arena


Have you been hearing Christian voices in the public arena lately? I've heard quite a variety: there seem to have been a number of matters that have got people acting on their faith, and speaking out for Christian values in the wider scene.
There's the (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill. Seventy church leaders, including some names I know well, released a joint personal statement1 on the day of the first reading of the Bill. They were speaking out for “the uniqueness of marriage” and “the complementary role of male and female.” For myself, I would own up that my links are with Christians for Marriage Equality Aotearoa2, who call on people of faith “in the light and hope of the Spirit of Jesus... to  respect the dignity, freedom, and committed love of same gender couples to enter into the rite of marriage.” Christian voices are on both sides of this debate, Christian voices being heard, and they are speaking clearly and respectfully. May it continue to be so throughout the Bill's processes in Parliament.
More significant I think are the Christian voices that are being heard in many communities, engaging in local politics and protests. As I write it has been a bad week for job losses, with families and communities around the country very concerned for the future. The epitome of the trauma and the challenge is Christchurch where the earthquakes have intensified the situation and sharpened the focus on the issue of doing right for people, now and in for the long term. Education Ministry plans for re-structuring felt like another big after shock to them, another challenge to work through for people whose resilience is not what it used to be.
You might recall Peter Beck announcing his resignation as Dean of Christchurch Cathedral. It wasn't because, with the cathedral “munted” he had no job. The cathedral congregation continues. Rather he resigned to stand for the City Council, and he did so to continue what he'd been doing since 4 September 2010 – trying to be a voice for people at risk of being ignored. By and large they are people of the Eastern suburbs, more generally they are people of lower income and with less education. He was successful in the election, and he wasn't alone as a visible Christian presence on the new Council. A Presbyterian colleague of mine, Glenn Livingstone, was also voted on. As church ministers Peter and Glenn are able to give a profile to Christian faith as it expresses itself in social action. They are far from alone in this activist faith but as ministers they wear their faith on their sleeve and can give courage to others. Christian voices – and hands and feet – are on the ground in Christchurch contributing to its renewal. And they are reminding those in power to listen to the people. Methodist colleague Mark Gibson in New Brighton is one of a number whose internet messages indicate that the Christians are active and vocal in doing kindness and seeking justice for that city and its people.
But it's another matter of national concern that really got me thinking about Christian voices in today's social environment. “Politicians think its fine to lie” was the title of Tapu Misa's article in the Herald this week.3 US Republican vice-presidential nominee Paul Ryan was the extreme example she began with, but the target of her critique was what she called John Key's “Banksian contortion”. We've long bemoaned the untruths of politicans, but what is worrying is that it is now being treated as acceptable. We're told that the important thing is whether they are found to be breaking the law. It doesn't seem to even be embarrassment, to be found to be dishonest.
Tapu Misa writes openly as a Christian and I greatly appreciate her voice. She can be heard alongside a number of other voices in our secular society, who are speaking out on this matter of truth and honesty. For me it is core business for us as church to stand up for such fundamental values. Not the law, but the spirit. In other words, ethics – the way we relate to others and the integrity we seek in being true to our humanness.
My Bible-in-schools have been looking at the creation stories with which the Bible begins. One aspect stood out for the children of two quite different cultural and economic environments – Riverview and Kaeo. The idea that we are a reflection of God had their eyes light up.
That's who we are – that's who we can be. But only if we are taking on qualities like honesty, integrity, kindness, justice, respect, and love for one another.
Shalom, Robyn
I prayed for twenty years but received no answer until I prayed with my legs.
Frederick Douglass, 19th century escaped slave

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