The countdown to the World Cup is well and truly up and running. As with 4 years ago there are countless cars driving around with England flags flying from them. I feel this celebration of our national identity is really important and unifying. In an age where we mourn the loss of community and struggle to discern how to express our identity in a multicultural climate, it is important to have occasions to come together and celebrate who we are.
However, 4 years ago I was a leader on a youth group trip to Germany (where the World Cup was being held) and so we bought some German car flags to fly from our minibus. The mischievous side of me would like to drive around now flying the German flags and see what reaction I would get. I fear that it would be very negative. While it is good to celebrate national identity and hold a desire for our country to do well, it should not lead to others being excluded from celebrating their culture and beliefs, or a breakdown in dialogue between different cultures.
It is the same within different Christian denominations. I do not believe that Christian unity should mean Christian conformity where we all meet together and do the same thing every week. I believe we should celebrate our own denominational identities. Different denominations worship, engage with God and the community in different ways and this should be celebrated. However, it should not be done in such a way as to suggest that one denomination has all the answers or that one particular interpretation of Scripture is the only one.
I hope this World Cup will be a positive experience of national celebration from people of all nations. But let us continue the dialogue between different communities, cultures and denominations.
No comments:
Post a Comment