A WARNING FROM HISTORY

"I know a great deal more about the world today than I ever did in government" -- former British prime minister John Major, illustrating why an over-slavish devotion to the realpolitik of high office may not always be as wise as it seems to those schooled in power.

CHINA, CRIES US

"Google [has been] coming under fire for operating a version of its search engine that complies with China's censorship rules. Google argues that it's better for it to have a presence in the country and to offer people some information, rather than for it not to be active in China at all... [S]hareholders and rights groups including Amnesty International... continue to push Google to improve its policies in countries known for human rights abuses and limits on freedom of speech... Sergey Brin, cofounder and president of technology for Google, abstained from voting on either of the proposals. 'I agreed with the spirit of these proposals,' Brin said. But he said he didn't fully support them as they were written, and so did not want to vote for them." More here, courtsey of NewsCloud.

DISTURBING THE PIECES

"Creativity arises out of the tension between spontaneity and limitations." -- Rollo May

"The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit." -- John 3. 8

NEGOTIATING STRANGE SPEECH

Well, Trinity Sunday is upon us. I was thinking I'd be preaching at St Stephen's again. My offering last year, Three Ways to Make Sense of One God, is up on Ekklesia. But due to a bit of a communications confusion, that privilege has now fallen to Bob Burn, and I have been freed to sneak off to Wembley and, um, wave my arms around.

Talking of which (dubious link, this) I have shamefully omitted to offer any reflections on Pentecost this year. I see that some biblical studies I delivered at an ecumenical conference in 2002 are still up on the web, the first of which is entitled, Other Languages: The global connectivity of the Spirit. Here's an excerpt:

"[Some] clues about .. very different ‘global futures’ leap out at us from the old politics of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11 and the new economy of the Holy Spirit made visible in its unexpected nemesis, the Day of Pentecost recorded in Acts 2.

"First Babel: ‘And the Lord said, “Look, they are one people, and they have all one language; and this is only the beginning of what they will do; nothing that they propose will now be impossible for them…’ (NRSV). And, so the story goes, God confounded the designs of those who wished to rule everything through the architecture of power and its corollary, a universal scientific language. ‘Come, let us go down and confuse their speech there, so that they will not understand one another.’

"Of course this mythic reversal has its price. Confusion and dispersal leads to continued division and enmity among peoples, as we know from the promise/judgement dynamic of the Hebrew Scriptures. So what does the typology of Pentecost generate by way of an alternative? Well, contrary to what techno-logic might assume, its new solution is not a super-language, what post-modern philosophers now call a 'meta-narrative'. No, it is a proliferation of tongues once more – but this time with the extraordinary added gift of mutuality, communicability, the ability to live with and even ‘in’ each other’s speech worlds: ‘they began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.’

"At Pentecost the outcome of diversification is not hopeless confusion. Rather, with no diminution of difference, indeed a huge multiplication of it, the various peoples each have the wholly unexpected, fulfilling experience of hearing their own speech picked up, recognised and honoured by the stranger. ‘Each one heard them speaking in the native language of each’.

"This interplay of mutuality based on difference is immensely significant. According to the politics of worldly power difference needs to be contained and restrained. Allowing ‘other languages’ means risking ‘other meanings’. Translation is never exact because the patterns of thinking that accompany distinct speech forms are also different. For those who wish to centralise, to lord it over others, this is disastrous. If you would rule the world you must first rule its meanings. That is true whether you are an ardent secularist or a religious ideologue.

"Systems of domination [Walter Wink] say that only one speech is fully legitimate. Yours. Conflict becomes necessary to subdue the potential for linguistic and political chaos. With a bit of civility mixed in you might just achieve similar control via a contract (a legal arrangement) or a democratic settlement, of course. The assumption in this instance is that the meaning of the ‘acceptable’ rules is determined in the same ways as the meaning of language. Indeed rules are language, to a large extent. But instead of trust and relationship it is hegemony and enforcement that ‘call the shots’.

"Chaos, conflict, contract, control. That is perhaps all that difference can lead to when it is bereft of genuinely loving connectivity. In the taxonomy of the Holy Spirit, however, there is a new possibility abroad. Our differences need not cancel each other out. Instead they hold the potential to become part of that endless interplay of voluntary, proximate relationship we call communion. Freedom thus proves the condition for love (attention to the other, as to ourselves) and vice versa." Full text here.

[Pic: (c) Julees stained glass]

SHOPPING AND FLOPPING

"Today we are more wealthy and less happy. I don't really know why, but I think it is to do with the loss of optimism. We no longer believe that things can change... What we have seen is... the defeat of politics by shopping." -- Andrew Marr, talking about the post-war years, in relation to his A History of Modern Britain.

"All we ever want is more,
A lot more than we had before.
So take me to the nearest store." -- Shania Twain, Ker-Ching

Two thousand years ago, in Palestine, a rich young man, was invited by an itinerant preacher to sell all his possessions, give the money to the poor and to seek the kingdom of heaven. He chose not to and we are told he 'went away sad, for he had many possessions'. So the burden of riches is not new. It is James’ contention that this 'sadness', fostered by rampant capitalism, is no longer the privilege of a few but can grip whole societies." -- Francis Philips on Oliver James' Affluenza.

BETTER THAN OPTIMISM

"Try again. Fail again. Fail better." -- Samuel Beckett

WRONG MESSAGE SENT OUT BY DISCRIMINATION

A Christian charity which works with people with learning difficulties, as well as supporting church ministries, has today been found guilty of acting illegally when in 2004 it began recruiting only practising Christians for almost all posts, and told existing non-Christian staff that they were no longer eligible for promotion. A former employee, himself a Christian, resigned over the policy and claimed constructive dismissal. An Employment Tribunal in Abergele upheld his case unanimously. See my comment on behalf of Ekklesia: Faith bodies should end discriminatory practices.

This is not, it seems, an exceptional case. As a Christian, I would want church and para-church groups to behave with greater not less courtesy, justice and love than is commonly required. But the habit in some quarters is often to complain that "we" are hard done by, to promote discontent, and to seek to get around anti-discrimination requirements, rather than to exhibit the kind of positive transformation the Gospel is supposed to be about. It's very sad indeed.

TRUTH TO TELL

Trawling through media comment and reportage on a regular basis can sometimes be a depressing experience. At times it feels like mainstream journalism has lost its primary interest in conveying what others are actually saying and meaning, and has become over embroiled in the 'rush to judgement'. My latest Wardman Wire 'Thinking Aloud' column is on The struggle to be truthful (in at least the minimal sense of that term), and as examples looks at how both the latest Religious Trends survey and an article by Rowan Williams on embryo research got covered by the papers.

WORSHIP IN SCHOOLS

A comment supporting the new parliamentary human rights report, which argues strongly for children to be given the right to opt-out of acts of collective worship that are, astonishingly, still mandatory in publicly-funded schools here.

THE CHINA EARTHQUAKE EMERGENCY

One of the abiding memories from my time at Churches Together in Britain and Ireland was a visit to China at the end of 2004, which I reported on here. The work done by Caroline Fielder, Edmond Tang and others in sustaining and developing church relations, encouraging exchange, supporting theological education and promoting China concerns and understanding - on very slender resources - is one of the greatly important but largely untold stories of recent ecumenical endeavour in these islands.

The response of Chinese churches and NGOs is noted briefly here. Caroline adds: "We are sure that you are all as horrified as we are to see the situation in Sichuan unfold. We have spoken [to or] been in contact with all the Amity teachers [we know]. Those in Gansu had some effects from the earthquake, those in Guangxi also but less severe; all are safe."

Humanitarian support is possible through the Protestant-backed Amity, and also through the Catholic Jinde charities. I don't propose to publish the bank account details on the web, but if you want to make a direct contribution (in US dollars or Chinese RMB ), drop me a note and I will pass them on to people I know or who provide credible contact details.

FRIENDS IN LOW PLACES?

This one passed me by at the time. But I see that back in January '08 there was an amusing little story doing the rounds claiming that a motion calling for the disestablishment of the Church of England has been listed in the British House of Commons as 666 (the number of the Beast in the book of Revelation). First picked up by Agence France and Yahoo News UK, it was further syndicated by the evangelical agency Assist, who helpfully noted that "Ekklesia, the UK Christian think tank, was the first body publicly to call for moves towards the formal disestablishment of the Church of England in the wake of the engagement of Prince Charles and Ms Camilla Parker-Bowles, announced in February, 2005" and that "Ekklesia associate Simon Barrow contributed to a recent volume of essays, Setting the Church of England Free (edited by Kenneth Leech, Jubilee Group) among whose authors was an Oxford Professor and other senior Anglicans, including the late Archbishop Trevor Huddleston (pictured)." The book actually appeared in 2002. There are still copies around, and we are endeavouring to liberate them from somebody's store in order to make them available through Metanoia.

GETTING BIBLICAL

"I listen intently to the Book. But I do not acquiesce in it. I rail at it. I make accusations. I censure it for endorsing patriarchalism, violence, anti-Judaism, homophobia, and slavery. It rails back at me, accusing me of greed, presumption, narcissism, and cowardice. We wrestle. We roll on the ground, neither of us capitulating, until it wounds my thigh with 'new-ancient' words. And the Holy Spirit is there the whole time, strengthening us both." - biblical scholar Walter Wink

Here's something I wrote on the Bible a few years ago - for a website thats now rolled into InclusiveChurch, by the way. Not so long ago, I recall my astonishment during a public meeting when a humanist friend made a comment about how easy it must be for Christians, "just having to do what their book tells them."

SO ARE THEY REALLY LISTENING?

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said that he will "listen and lead" in the wake of the Labour Party's disastrous showing in the local elections last week, in the opinion polls generally, and in the London Mayoral contest. So I was intrigued to receive the following email in my inbox this morning: "Hi, simonbarrow. DowningStreet is now following your updates on Twitter. Check out DowningStreet's profile here: http://twitter.com/DowningStreet." And yes, it is the Number 10 crew, getting the word out via the latest micro-blogging sensation. I'd better get those 140 character policy suggestions flowing urgently, huh? Here's my first pitch. Judging from this recent pic, I think Gordon's impressed already...

MISTAKEN IDENTITY

"There is hope in honest error. None in the icy perfection of the mere stylist." -- Charles Rennie Mackintosh

Or as Snoopy once put it: "A mistake is evidence that somebody tried to do something." I also liked his, "The world can't end today, because it's already tomorrow in some countries."

CHARITY IN THE CRUCIBLE

Writing in The Spectator (former editor: Boris Johnson), writer and fellow freelance theologian Theo Hobson meets Gene Robinson, the only openly gay Anglican bishop, who says that homosexuals are more open to the Christian message of radical change.

"His book, In the Eye of the Storm, is pinch-yourself bold in its association of homosexuality with authentic Christian faith. Being gay, he says, is his ‘little window into some of what it must be like to be a woman, or a person of colour, or a person in a wheelchair — and countless other categories the dominant culture has controlled, diminished and oppressed’. So being gay enables Christian empathy. No wonder I’ve always found it so tough," says Theo.

On the book, Richard Harries, former Anglican Bishop of Oxford, writes: "‘This is Gene Robinson’s own story, told with simplicity and humility and revealing his passionate faith. He recounts how his experience has made him particularly close to vulnerable groups, such as the inmates of a women’s prison, and how we all need one another for our very salvation. This honest account will encourage anyone seriously committed to the message of Jesus, and shows him deeply committed within the Anglican Communion, even to those who vilify him."

SOME TAXING TRUTHS

Not least through the work of Iain Duncan Smith's Centre for Social Justice, which has maintained a critical dialogue with radical Christian community campaigner Bob Holman and others (even at the Labour conference!), the Conservative Party seems to have moved on poverty issues - as Church Action on Poverty has acknowledged. However, we are entitled to ask what the policy substance is behind this. As Bob has pointed out, some of the much vaunted concern has been underwritten by a continuing legacy of paternalism and individualism. So the idea that David Cameron is a saviour of the poor whose party has gone progressive is a claim deserves further examination.

Take the "10p tax" issue, which the Tories hope will win them the Crewe by-election. David Cameron has remorselessly attacked Gordon Brown on this -- not because the Conservatives support a truly progressive income tax regime (their policies suggest otherwise), but as an issue of "competence". In other words, they are trying to persuade lower income people that "we're on your side"; but when challenged about re-introducing the 10p tax band, Cameron does not want to be drawn "on specifics". Of course. The gap between rhetoric and reality on this is bound to be large for the traditional party of organised wealth.

The estimable Kerron Cross, leader of Three Rivers District Council and vice chair of the Christian Socialist Movement (which I left when it affiliated to the Labour Party, by the way) has unpicked some of the contradictions here. Deeper issues, meanwhile, are raised by Jon Cruddas and Jonathan Rutherford.

While we are on the subject of the Tories, Jesuit e-journal Thinking Faith has an interesting article (Who will show respect?) on new London Mayor Boris Johnson's 'get tough' youth policies, backed by 'muscular Christian'. It has been put together by researchers from the Heythrop Institute for Religion, Ethics and Public Life.

A LIFELINE TO BURMA

The United Nations and development agencies are furious about the obstructiveness and incapacity of the Burmese military in the face of the "immediate and vast" aid need. St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation and Peace in London has a direct link into the devastated country, for those interested in making a personal contribution.

CHURCH ON THE WANE?

A bit of a barney has broken out over the latest Religious Trends data on church decline in the UK. The Times gave a spin to the statistics which included several unsustainable claims. The Church of England reacted with fury, and said it was weathering the storm thank you very much. Christian Research have been accused of bad methodology. But CR has defended its data and the overall situation remains the same. Inherited church institutions in Britain continue to be in decline - dramatically so since the 1950s and 60s. This is not the same thing as saying that Christian faith is dying, however. Indeed the demise of assumptions about being 'the majority' may be good for the moral, political, spiritual and communal health of the Christian churches, if they can begin to see things differently (which is the burden of my comment for Ekklesia ). Thinking Anglicans collates more responses and debate here.

GIVING TO THOSE WHO DON'T GIVE UP

Communicating development issues to a broad media audience is tough. Often, there's an awkward trade off between what the fundraisers say will generate donations and what the educators want to raise awareness of the deeper issues. Christian Aid are to be congratulated in trying to get the two to work together. This video of their current TV campaign makes a simple but important point that disasters hit the poorest worst, and then highlights community-based and longer term solutions that people can see their money being invested in. The graphics are also nifty. Visibility, durability and credibility.

ROOTS AND ROUTES

Land of hope and glory? Ekklesia, 08 May 2008, 18:07. -- The notion and shape of 'the land' means many things to many people, as the contradictory responses to this 60th anniversary of the founding of the state of Israel are showing. Simon Barrow looks at the relationship between rootedness and aspiration.

JUSTICE FOR BOTH ISRAELIS & PALESTINIANS

Over 140 Christian leaders have made a unified call for a just peace between Israelis and Palestinians, to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the state of Israel. Their declaration is published today in The Independent newspaper.

Never before has such a diverse range of prominent Christians acknowledged that for Palestinians, Israel’s celebration has become a ‘Catastrophe’ (Nakba). They seek a shared solution to the longstanding conflict. Here's the story on Ecumenical News International. And an interesting comment from Jane Stranz.

See also ex-US president, Baptist layperson and peace / human rights envoy Jimmy Carter, on the appalling tragedy of Gaza this morning.

THE END OF HILLARY?

Yes, but can Obama beat McCain? LibCon, 07 May 08, 18.45 GMT -- Convention bloodletting or litigation aside, Hillary Clinton has now almost certainly lost the Democratic presidential nomination to Barack Obama. Those who want to see "real change" in the USA mostly regard that as good news, including an American I happen to be married to! But I'm not nearly so sure. Can Obama take on John McCain in the campaign that really counts, and how much of his emotional energy will translate into the new politics his backers want?

GETTING AND NOT GETTING RELIGION

I maintain an occasional 'work blog' at Ekklesia. We are seeking to transform this area in the near future using an aggregator facility. In the meantime, here's a couple of recent entries: * Obama, Wright and wrong The Democratic contest has been getting ugly. And Barack Obama's church ties have become both a boon and a bane. * Seeing both the positive and negative in religion Much of the current public discourse on 'religion' assumes that 'it' (actually a complex and multi-faceted phenomenon) is either a good or a bad thing per se.

COMING UP...

The Christian leaders' declaration on a just-peace for both Israelis and Palestinians will be launched tomorrow, the 6oth anniversary of the founding of the state of Israel. It's still not too late to sign up. http://justpeace60.blogspot.com/

BURMA CYCLONE ASSISTANCE

Latest news reports indicate that three-quarters of structures in the region were destroyed by fierce winds, rain and storm surge. The number of casualties could rise to as many as 30,000, as relief workers are able to reach hard-hit islands and remote villages. The junta has been pushed into accepting worldwide support. Christian Aid is doing its bit, as part of the Action of Churches Together global ecumenical network. The storm was brewing in the Bay of Bengal for several days but communities in the affected areas would have been ill prepared due to a lack of early warning systems. Here's an eyewitness account from the BBC. Development agencies say that the final outcome of the Burmese cyclone disaster, which latest reports suggest has claimed over 23,000 lives, may be on the scale of the Asian tsunami a few years ago.

CONSIDERING CREATIVITY

"Creativity is the supreme mystery of life, the mystery of the appearance of something new, hitherto unknown, derived from nothing, proceeding from nothing, born of nothing other..." -- Nikolai Berdyaev

Actually, I don't quite agree. Creativity as we understand it (and however surprising or unmerited it appears) is always premised on, or emerging from, something. Only the world as a whole is given ex nihilo, as both atheists and believers accept. Though on very different grounds and to very different ends.