Recently in religion Category

I would have thought that our government would have thought this Big Society idea through thoroughly.

Perhaps it has but is still happy to encourage communities to re-organise themselves and self-manage.

Hasn't the increased terror plot around the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham forced any of the ConDems to connect the dots?

What do you get if you encourage a society already plagued by racial and social division to divide itself up further in the name of Big Society?

I'm no mathematician but surely this sum equals more division and the likelihood of similar terror alerts on a more regular basis.

It's hard for a country to pull together when its sitting government is trying to separate it.

Government needs to factor in the unseen costs of their Big Society.

Is Big Society a big dangerous mistake?

Just a word of caution while many people in our city and wider afield get all 'Popestar' crazy as the historic papal visit approaches, it is important to remember that Pope Benedict XVI is a man, flesh and blood, like you and I. Obviously he is a important minister and the leader of the international Catholic Church but sometimes I wonder if some are getting things out of proportion.

Putting aside the historic element of a papal visit to the UK, it's crazy when you consider that hundreds of thousands of people will be clamouring to be present when the Pope comes to our city on September 19.

The Pope, while instantly recognised the world over, is not God. He is a Christian minister from whom we are supposed to learn more about God, how to live for Him and better serve each other.

We need to be careful in these days of celebrity culture that it doesn't infiltrate the Church, in which believers doggedly contend to catch a glimpse of the Pontiff wherever he may be appearing. I wonder how many of these pilgrims are as strident in maintaining their relationship with God, if they have one at all?

It goes the same for those of us who deify and 'worship' Gospel artists, mega church leaders and televangelists: they all have their place, but they should not be the one we should reserve for God.

There is a danger in idolising other people - they aren't perfect and make mistakes whereas God is and doesn't. Respect leaders but follow God, not the other way around.

The expression used to describe an insensitive person says that they 'only opened their mouths to change feet,' but sadly when it comes to some leaders, it's only to say things that hurt rather than help.

Cue Pat Robertson, Rev Pat Robertson and his outrageous comments that Haiti has suffered the devastating earthquake last week because of a historic pact the country had taken with the devil.

While Haiti has a strong link to occultish practices like voodoo, that doesn't explain why the earthquake happened. Does Rev Robertson not realise that there is a vibrant Christian community in Haiti, many of whom have lost their lives in the disaster? The dead include three missionaries from my church. We don't even know where their bodies are.

In any case, now is not the time to pontificate on the why, the focus should be on the how, how we can help bring relief to those in distress. The Bible says we should mourn with those who mourn and this is a time to put away the prejudicial comments and do everything possible to empathise and help these folks.

Yet again with Rev Robertson's comments, the Conservative Christians in America show that they put their politics firmly before their faith. This is why so many of them are against President Obama's healthcare bill. What could be more Christian than ensuring as many people as possible have adequate access to healthcare? I am sure these objectors are taken care of in that department.

Come on Reverend, use your public platform to promote harmony and give an accurate representation of our Lord, who at this time wants to be close to those who mourn and suffer right now.

Am I making sense? How did you feel when you heard what Rev Robertson said? What impression do high profile ministers give you of Christianity?

God Bless,
Veron
www.GMAgency.co.uk

Tony Collins' story in a recent edition of the Birmingham Mail about the importance of youngsters' spiritual development made very interesting reading. So why is religious education treated like a hot potato in some schools?

Pamela Taylor, the principal of Birmingham's Newman University College, said: "the spiritual and emotional development of young people has never been more important." She goes on to say: "encouraging dialogue and understanding between different groups ... has never been so vital."

As a Christian myself, I am not surprised at her comments - I believe that all of us have a God-shaped void in our lives that only He can fill. My faith teaches me that God is interested in every area of our lives and wants to build relationships with us. So, as education is important to us, it is to God too. That's why I'm working with Christian Media Services, bringing stories of the tangible benefits of Christian faith to the world.

That said, why is Religious Education not been given full expression in schools and why is Christianity, in particular, marginalized in certain areas?

Recognition and respect should be given to all faiths in all schools, regardless of the religious make-up of that school. So what if the school is, for example, majority Hindu? That does not mean you only teach Hinduism there. Are these Hindu kids not going to encounter anyone of any other faith for the rest of their lives? And what about the non-Hindu kids in that school?

Education authorities need not be frightened of our religious differences, and more importantly, they shouldn't allow our children to be.

The society I grew up in was multi-cultural too and there was a better understanding of cultural /religious diversity because each faith was taught and discussed freely in school.

Kids are growing up now without any real understanding of other faiths, aside from that gained from lurid headlines and extremist views.

The lack of education into these issues at an early age is only storing up the potential for misunderstanding, fear and hatred when these youngsters grow up.

Am I going too far?

Do you think the lack of religious teaching in schools contribute to fear and disharmony? Did you do RE in school? Did it help or hinder your relations with people of different cultures/ faiths?

God Bless ... and I mean that whatever you call Him,

Veron
www.GMAgency.co.uk