History is littered with examples of people groups and individuals attempting and sometimes for a time succeeding, in stamping their views and ways upon others. In my view it is all too often the case in modern society that pressure groups for minorities gain favour for their cause, often against prejudice or at least perceived prejudice, from larger groups. Having done so, they or their promoters, in turn can become the victims of being prejudiced against other groups. Perhaps its power, perhaps its the way folks are. There is no doubt in my mind that when we favour one, another will be put down.
A good example is the recent attempts to promote the LBGTQ+ agenda in organisations that should be focused elsewhere which lead me to wonder if in their attempts to seek popularity with one minority the National Trust have in fact marginalised those who disagree with them in this and so have become prejudiced against other minorities. Is this inclusion? The fact is that if we identify with one thing we are often in the place of identifying against another. I don't suppose that the National Trust is going to have a Christian promotion theme in its properties or a Muslim one because these are religious and possibly because a good number of adherents to those faiths would not support the trusts view on their current campaign. Equality and inclusion have truly gone out of the window it seems.
In society today it seems that to oppose anything or to have a differing view on anything automatically brings the accusation of being phobic. We are not allowed to have differing opinions from the popular or promoted minority opinions in our culture.
But then it is nothing new, Jesus was accused by the culture police of his day of being against what they considered correct and more especially because he made it clear that in the Kingdom of God, some will be excluded by what they do or refuse to believe. Interpreting scripture is often an inexact thing as we will bring to it our own views, prejudices, fears and likes. We can't really avoid it. Christians will differ in views, it has been that way since the church began. However agreeing to differ without vilifying is something we who believe in Jesus might do better to model. The recent Church of England synods show what happens when minorities pressure folks and others who should speak but seem afraid to.
The church should not, must not succumb to cultural pressures that would then cause it to vilify any who disagree with that view. Jesus also told his disciples that they would be persecuted for standing firm on what they believe he taught.
Mat 5:11 "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
Mat 5:12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Joh 15:20 Remember what I told you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.
Joh 15:21 They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me.
For myself I will continue to wrestle with scripture as best I can and seek God's leading in that. I will stand firm on the convictions I have through that. I will face as well as I can those who are prejudiced against my views. I will attempt to love all, make all welcome while encouraging all to understand that sin is real, it breaks our relationship with God and we cannot deny it no matter how hard we try. I will disagree with some and agree with others, in the end God will be the judge, not me, not the culture police or the politically correct brigade.
Will I be seen as prejudiced in my views? Of course I will because others will disagree with them. But I will hold my head up in pride that God has chosen me among many others to preach and teach his word and help bring his Kingdom more fully into our world.
A good example is the recent attempts to promote the LBGTQ+ agenda in organisations that should be focused elsewhere which lead me to wonder if in their attempts to seek popularity with one minority the National Trust have in fact marginalised those who disagree with them in this and so have become prejudiced against other minorities. Is this inclusion? The fact is that if we identify with one thing we are often in the place of identifying against another. I don't suppose that the National Trust is going to have a Christian promotion theme in its properties or a Muslim one because these are religious and possibly because a good number of adherents to those faiths would not support the trusts view on their current campaign. Equality and inclusion have truly gone out of the window it seems.
In society today it seems that to oppose anything or to have a differing view on anything automatically brings the accusation of being phobic. We are not allowed to have differing opinions from the popular or promoted minority opinions in our culture.
But then it is nothing new, Jesus was accused by the culture police of his day of being against what they considered correct and more especially because he made it clear that in the Kingdom of God, some will be excluded by what they do or refuse to believe. Interpreting scripture is often an inexact thing as we will bring to it our own views, prejudices, fears and likes. We can't really avoid it. Christians will differ in views, it has been that way since the church began. However agreeing to differ without vilifying is something we who believe in Jesus might do better to model. The recent Church of England synods show what happens when minorities pressure folks and others who should speak but seem afraid to.
The church should not, must not succumb to cultural pressures that would then cause it to vilify any who disagree with that view. Jesus also told his disciples that they would be persecuted for standing firm on what they believe he taught.
Mat 5:11 "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
Mat 5:12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Joh 15:20 Remember what I told you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.
Joh 15:21 They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me.
For myself I will continue to wrestle with scripture as best I can and seek God's leading in that. I will stand firm on the convictions I have through that. I will face as well as I can those who are prejudiced against my views. I will attempt to love all, make all welcome while encouraging all to understand that sin is real, it breaks our relationship with God and we cannot deny it no matter how hard we try. I will disagree with some and agree with others, in the end God will be the judge, not me, not the culture police or the politically correct brigade.
Will I be seen as prejudiced in my views? Of course I will because others will disagree with them. But I will hold my head up in pride that God has chosen me among many others to preach and teach his word and help bring his Kingdom more fully into our world.
Just to be fair - the National Trust have now changed their minds on the wearing of rainbow lanyards and badges to support their Prejudice and Pride campaign at Felbridge Hall.
ReplyDeleteShortly after affirming the original communication, telling those volunteers in visitor facing roles, that not wearing the lanyard meant they would be put into back room activities or that they could choose to leave, they announced that it was now a matter of personal choice. Any who choose not to wear these, will still be allowed to stay in their visitor facing roles.
A win for common sense and inclusion IMO.