Faith + action (no fence sitting allowed)

The popular metaphor used by Christians of ‘sheep’ and ‘shepherd’ can mislead. We are called to use our brains as well as our hearts in practising the faith. God has enough sheep to deal with.

A number of key issues challenge Christians as they do everyone else. Rather than accept the party line (or no line at all) we believe we should consider our position in the light of reason and faith. So get thinking! Issues for conscientious Christians include -

  • environmental issues - sustainability, pollution and the right use of the creation ('why are we harming our planet?')
  • equality and diversity: questions of gender, discrimination, racism and other hatreds ('why is it hard to see the value of one another?')
  • the impact of globalisation and multinationals on local communities ('why is it that the bigger things are, the less human they seem to be?')
  • citizen participation in democratic processes and political accountability ('why are we keen to criticise those with authority but reluctant to play our part?')
  • agribusiness: modern farming and food production techniques
  • health care: funding, access and equality and inequalities in health care
  • the ethics and impact of advertising
  • global and local poverty
  • the care of children and young people
  • the place of  LGBT people in Church and in society
  • is the modern economic system (banking, free trade and the assumed emphasis on having and consuming) as good as we can manage?
  • the abuse and misuse of power, not least by ourselves

Possibly useful links
The following links may be useful in getting other views and considering your own position. Some are strongly partisan. They are offered here as sources of opinion and argument to help you consider your own position (listing does not imply approval or endorsement by St James’ PCC. As in all serious endeavours, exploration is at your own risk)

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
Global Issues That Affect Everyone  | Friends of the Earth | Christian ecology

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY
The Equality Trust | UK Equality & Human Rights Commission
Institute of Race Relations

SEXUALITY & CHRISTIAN FAITH
Lesbian & Gay Christian Movement | Canadian site exploring religious tolerance
Changing Attitudes | Accepting Evangelicals

TAXATION AND JUSTICE
Tax Justice Network

DEMOCRACY AND CITIZENSHIP
CitizensUK

FOOD PRODUCTION/CONSUMPTION
Agriculture and theology project

HEALTH EQUALITIES AND INEQUALITIES
King’s Fund | International Journal for Equity in Health

SHARING WHAT WE HAVE: PEACE & JUSTICE
Christian Aid | Cafod | Oxfam
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent | Amos Trust

BANKING, CONSUMING & USURY
Christian Council for Monetary Justice | Usury

ANIMAL WELFARE
Anglican Society for the Welfare of Animals | Animal Interfaith Alliance
The perfect soul rejoices more in the differences among people than it would in seeing them all walk in the same way, saying, 'Thanks be to thee, Eternal Father, that Thou hast many mansions in Thy house.
Catherine of Siena
Let us pray that all living beings realise that they are all brothers and sisters, and nourished from the same source of life. Let us pray that we ourselves cease to be the cause of suffering to each other.
The Venerable Thich Nhat Hahn
The very best and utmost attainment in this life is to remain still and let God act and speak in thee.
Meister Eckhart
And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said: The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! Or, lo there! For, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
Gospel according to St Luke
Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord; and by thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of thy only Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Collect for Aid Against all Perils
Book of Common Prayer 1662
“It belongs to the very substance of nonviolence never to destroy or damage another person's feeling of self worth, even an opponent's. We all need, constantly, an advance of trust and affirmation.”
Bernard Häring
Picture
Font/Grinling Gibbons (c) Hugh Valentine/Click to enlarge
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