Friday 28 October 2011

Showing off? shutting shop? showing up?

Even amid a forest of high towers, St Paul’s Cathedral remains, architecturally, the heart of the City of London.

It could be a key place for people to confront anxiety and seek a new vision for the future of humanity, money, and power. This process, that is goinog on around the world, has to take in all interested parties — Limiting it to the elite who got us into this mess is insane.

After visiting the OLSX camp yesterday, I have no idea why St Paul's shut up shop last week. The appearance of a large handful, but still only a handful, of cheap tents fifty yards from the front door would be possible to manage, one would think. If, as Woody Allen suggests, 80% of success is showing up, at least now St Paul’s has reopened it is back in the game.

But what game?

Once upon a time an Urban PCC in theSouth of England was interviewing candidates for the post of Vicar. One willowy Anglo-Catholic youth made a big pitch for a shift up the candle — recalling the grand tradition of Anglo-Catholic slum clergy he said “what this place needs isn’t a leader, but a Priest!” Stirring stuff... until, quarter of an hour later a local bag lady with a skinful of cider but a heart of gold, crashed through the doors crowing, as was her wont, her signature line - “Help! I need a Priest!” Willowy Anglo-Catholic youth disappeared to the Toilet. He did not get the job.

And, as St Paul’s reopens its doors, this tale raises a question for its managers. Can they redeem their initial hysterical over-reaction? Do they want to draw all voices into a vital public debate, or will they clear the site as tactfully and soon as possible, probably in the middle of the night — when Caiaphas and chums used to do their business?

In other words do they have the stomach to engage in the real world at the crest of a tidal race between people, money and power, or are they just overgrown public schoolboys playing indoor games in their own self-important Tourist Disneyland?

Over to them...

50 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you for this. It is strange what find ourselves doing in the name of the one who would rather see the temple dismantled than self-serving. Not one stone left upon another...

UKViewer said...

Excellent analysis of how the Hierarchy at St Paul's have got themselves into a real bind over this business.

If they had just left it to Giles Fraser to deal with it, in the way it started, there might have been no need to close at all.

But vested interests appear to be at play here, including politics, although Giles has denied that.

The spontaneous reaction of @flashevensong and @artsyhonker to it has been the right one. Accept that they have the right to protest, see how you can help and minister or serve them.

Just heard the BBC using Lord Carey's terminology of Anti-Capitalist protesters to describe them. Another part of the problem?

They are not anti-capitalist, just highlighting the disconnect between banks and wealth creation, poor governance and the financial destruction of the world's economy.

Erika Baker said...

It seems Giles' fears are one step closer to being proved right, the Cathedral has announced legal action against the protesters:

http://www.stpauls.co.uk/News-Press/Latest-News/Statement-from-the-Dean-and-Chapter-28-October-2011

Ann Memmott said...

From the St Paul's website:

"Corporate Partnerships:
We are extremely proud of the close partnerships we have forged and continue to nurture with our corporate neighbours. There are several ways in which your company can benefit by joining one of our member schemes.
Our schemes can be tailored to suit each company's need, whether it is entertaining guests for dinner in the crypt or enjoying a private recital underneath the dome.
Highlights of benefits currently enjoyed by our partners include:
Free entry to the cathedal for staff
Discounts on conference and entertaining facilities
Bespoke private tours
Tickets to concerts and events"

How jolly.

Still no access enabled for a good number of disabled people though, even with a budget from the Foundation of £1,500,000 a year and the cost of providing the extra access being, er, just about nil.

I deal with most of the major Blue Chip clients in London. Maybe one of them can get me in there ;-)

No wonder Jesus picked up a whip.

June Butler said...

Why couldn't the members of the chapter engage with the protestors, instead of issuing open letters and press releases? Perhaps due to legal advice, but it seems to me that a church should not give priority to legal advice in making decisions in a situation like this.

And yes, it appears that the protestors are to be forcibly removed once the legal ducks are in a row. What a mess?

June Butler said...

PS: When I visited Occupy New Orleans and talked to the people, I learned that the protestors are not of one mind as to why they are there. I heard a variety of reasons, which come down to the idea that things are simply not just or fair in our societies today, and no one in authority is paying attention. Here we are messing up your public space only a bit. Look at us; talk to us.

Lay Anglicana said...

This is the most thought-provoking of all the posts that I have seen on these extraordinary few days. Unfortunately, I think that the Church hierarchy has difficulty in responding to the unexpected - as this was.
I have also posted a short piece (I am getting shorter since listening to you at #cnmac11!) and have taken the liberty of quoting you, at http://www.layanglicana.org/blog/2011/10/28/capitalism-and-the-church-of-england/

disasterarea said...

Exactly how has a protest about "capitalism" ended up as a fight with a cathedral?

You can argue all you want about how and why the cathedral reacted as it did, but the real question is why has this become the main point. Occupy groups everywhere are deciding to camp out in all kinds of places that have nothing to do with their ill-focused protest (like, say, Seattle Community College too).

Is it any wonder that these victims are wondering what the hell is going on and how they became targets? And consequently what the hell to do it about it...

Bishop Alan Wilson said...

Thanks for comments and understanding. Having seen the protest camp twice now, I think I need to call into serious question any idea that this is some kind of simple Anarchist attack on the rest of us. It is nothing of the sort - simply an attempt to question, for example, the 49% rise in top pay last year at a time almost everyone else suffered stasis or cut and high inflation. Ernie is very much on the money. As to its being aggressively anti everything, remember that the camp's response to a sung service of Evensong, complete with full state prayers for the sovereign, was to ask the preacher to address them. I spoke of Jesus to the assembly, because it's what bishops are charged to do, and many campers were picking up and wanting to go with his example and teaching. I suggest engagement is the way. That's what Jesus would do - if only his minders could master their fear and get stuck in!

June Butler said...

Alan, thank you for being there.

AdrianC said...

Bishop Alan, well done for being there - this has been an extr-ordinary PR debacle for the church. As you say, let us pray that St Paul's authorities can redeem the reputation. Maybe if there is a silver lining it is that people who might not otherwise hear have heard the voice of Jesus have done so -apparently not from behind the closed doors of the piles of stone but on the lips of his followers on the streets.

Bishop Alan Wilson said...

(Anon Comment, accidentally sent into outer darkness from my iPhone by lack of digital dexterity on my part! Sorry!)

ANON:

So glad a bishop is commenting on these vital things! While agreeing with most of your analysis, I feel the anecdote is operating in a slightly stereotypical manner, perhaps because I'm a willowy anglo-catholic. Having been run ragged by high-maintenance 'egonauts' in the Church, I now work full-time with young people and their families in a deprived and dysfunctional community outside it. Give me the bag lady any day; it's some PCC members and bishops (not personally, Father) who made me question my vocation as a priest.

Lawrence1 said...

The C of E tends towards overreaction wherever money is concerned. They threatened me with legal action if I stepped back on to Church owned allotments that I was trying to revive. they wanted to sell them to become a business park. Planning inquiry found in their favour, as 'Bicester needs more offices' according to the inspector (much to the amusement of the district and parish council and other lottie supporters)> Result: 5 yrs later it's still weeds, waiting to be sold. Meanwhile the parish council, with help from a local farmer, set up its own allotment, which is so popular they had to close the waiting list... so who is looking after the community these days? (btw, I believe the allotment land was bequeathed to the church in the 1600s... when it was about the only body that did care for the community, how times change). best wishes, Lawrence
Here's link to their legal letter to me, it's about half way down page: http://www.savetheplot.co.uk/index2.htm

baarnett said...

Perhaps the Rev Adrian Benjamin at St Paul's would like to explain his 'political' position on all of this.

He led a small service outside the doors last Sunday, and it is reported by Mrs Angry on the 'Broken Barnet' blog. (There is a 'Banner-snatching' scandal, involving the Rev in Friern Barnet, north London)

http://wwwbrokenbarnet.blogspot.com/2011/10/from-frontline-father-benjamin-takes-on.html

and

http://wwwbrokenbarnet.blogspot.com/2011/10/st-pauls-surviving-hitler-closed-by.html

Peter O said...

Did you read my Huffington Post piece? http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/reverend-peter-ould/turbulent-priests-and-tur_b_1063176.html

I reckon I've spent more time at OccupyLSX then the St Paul's clergy (both with and without my do-collar on). Quite like them - there's a nice chilled out vibe and some of the leaders are quite interesting.

Cowardly Londoner said...

I don't agree with you Bishop.

The people outside St Paul's on the whole strike me as unpleasantly self-righteous and arrogant, an example of the "I do what I want" mentality. Their original intention was to stop the Stock Exchange from going about its lawful business and their response to the Cathedral closure was to sugest that strings were being pulled by sinister figures from the Cathedral trustees.

And although I wouldn't want to tar them all with the same brush, while they are all smiles when people are agreeing with them I suspect some are likely to turn violent if thwarted.

This isn't about capitalism or about regulation of the City of London but about common decencey and respect for others. The occupation is markedly lacking in this.

baarnett said...

Cowardly: The people outside St Paul's may well be "unpleasantly self-righteous and arrogant". However, maybe they are pointing out that the financial services industry is now more powerful than the rest of society, and seems beyond the control of regulation by politicians.

And don't they also draw attention to that industry's lack of "common decency and respect for others", when we all have to bale them out?

Mr Cameron is moving to talk up the City again, because he thinks it has become less toxic that it was, but I disagree. I think our economy has to take a hit in jobs and tax-income, by shrinking financial services. Whether Mr Osborne's "March of the Makers" can ever happen is another matter.

Jocelyn E. Chappell said...

Agreeing with comments supporting protesters who seem to be saying 'follow the money and look where it gets you', agreeing with those who say politicians & lawyers are clearly following the money in this case and agreeing with Bishop and others who point out that the church which chooses to follow the money has clearly lost the plot big time; what I ask in this over consuming world with powerful people slowly realising that infinite growth is NOT possible, what I ask is which part of climate justice, trade justice, food, health, shelter, education and water justice, which part of these have not always been very badly affected by the financial (self) services industry. The government and politicians of every conceivable colour made great show of recognising and turning away from their betrothal to media organisations earlier this year. I wonder if we've seen the half of it.

Bishop Alan Wilson said...

Peter, thanks for the link. Your HP piece seemed very much on the money, and one basic answerr to "What Would Jesus do?" is show up. CL, I have been there twice this week and didn't get anything like the impression you did of the camp. Was there any particular critical incident you experienced that led you to your conclusion when you visited? Baarnet and Jocelyn, many thanks. I think this will run and run because the issue isn't Church office politics or management styles, but basic questions about power, money, greed, the value of persons, equality - the very things Jesus teaching talks about (unlike gayness and female bishops). If the Church wants to stop making a fool of itself, it will need to take a fresh attitude; so of course that's what I'd want to happen now. I wonder who St Paul's have provided to address the Sermon on the Steps tomorrow, and would think this is the first part of a recovery plan.

Anonymous said...

To see the Clergy of St Paul's conspire and line up with Goldman Sachs and the other MoneyLenders against ordinary people, shows just how far the Cancer of Greed has infected the upper echelons of the church. Don't these clergy read the Gospels any more? Shame on them. Rowan Willams SPEAK UP.
Nick in London

Anonymous said...

Come to me all ye who are heavy burdened and I will...

Hold up my part in the corporate machine and if I can't make money... Lock the door in your face... Take legal action against you...

Have you forgotten your purpose?

Anonymous said...

I live in the City of London and have done so since 1982; we residents have no power to influence the actions of the Corporation since it is the last remaining bulwark of the business vote.

We residents were not even allowed to attend the meeting which decided that the camp was a dreadful hazard on the highway; it was held in secret. Those of us who know the City are well aware that there are lots of highways blocked either entirely or in part, as a direct result of the Corporation's demolition and development plans. We have no power to challenge those either.

Given the total absence of democratic accountability in the City, the only thing left is the sort of peaceful protest being held at St Paul's. It is deeply unfortunate that the Dean and Chapter have chosen to align themselves with people whose sole interests lie in enabling the rich to get richer, at the inevitable expense of the poor.

Stevie Gamble
EC2Y 8BL

Mrs Angry said...

I was puzzled earlier today to find so many visitors to my own blog, 'Broken Barnet', from here: now I understand, and how refreshing it is, even from the viewpoint of an outsider like me, a (very) bad Catholic to find a senior cleric living by the spirit of the gospel ... I think it is fortuitous that the protest was unable to take place by the Stock Exchange, and had to transfer to St Paul's: it has created a hugely important debate on the issues of freedom of speech, materialism and the loss of moral compass in our society. Unfortunately, as Anne Memmott reminds us, St Paul's has become a tourist attraction and a venue for corporate hospitality: to charge such high admission fees is simply unacceptable. Time for the cathedral to reclaim its credibility as a place of worship rather than a glorified gift shop, I think, and may be OccupyLSX has happened at the right time, and in the right place after all.

baarnett said...

Now it's questionable news management by St Paul's:

Independent on Sunday

"Exclusive: Cover-up at St Paul's:
Clerics suppress report on bankers' greed to save church embarrassment


http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/exclusive-coverup-at-st-pauls-2377923.html

Richard Littledale said...

Been reflecting on this too, and how the debate has moved away from the concerns with which the protest started. See "My Jesus: on hijacking a cathedral: http://richardlittledale.wordpress.com/2011/10/29/my-jesus/

The Confused said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
The Confused said...

I agree with much that is said on here, and Bishop Alan in particular. It is good to know that we have people in the upper echelons of the CofE who feel able to speak out on this issue - and also that they are willing to 'muck in' and talk to the protesters themselves.

I have made my own post on this here- http://cecramble.blogspot.com/2011/10/st-pauls-and-campsite.html
in which I focussed on the comedy of using Health and Safety as an excuse to close the Cathedral.


I ended my own blog with something that I think deserves to be repeated:

The Cathedral needs to practice the old art of Christian Repentance (something I see very rarely in Christian organisations) – they should apologise for confusion about how long they thought the protesters would stay, and for the confusion over Health and Safety. And be HONEST about wanting them to leave OR be HONEST about being ambivalent about them leaving or not.

Honesty and saying sorry. Something the people have asked the government and the bankers to do for years, but so far they have not managed to do.
Can the Christians manage to live out such a great Christian witness or will they succumb to pride?

I know where my (metaphorical) money is, and where my hope is. Sadly the two don’t seem to be aligned.

Anonymous said...

The clergy at St Paul's Cathedral should have taken a leaf out the book of the late Very Revd Dean Edward Laurie King of St George's Cathedral: in the 1970s and 1980s we had squatters living in the grounds for a while and for 6 weeks even had some living in the Cathedral. St George's never closed even during the height of the Apartheid era when we had police storming the building chasing peaceful protesters in off the street, using tear gas and batons.

Somehow St George's became a beacon of hope for many people, regardless of creed and status, during those dark days in SA. It stood up against oppression, and Dean Ted King's insightful leadership and bravery had a lot to do with this (Archbishop Desmond Tutu's era at the Cathedral started in 1986, after the squatter episode).

St Paul's clergy should read Dean Ted King's books about this period including 'A Good place to be' see http://www.lib.uct.ac.za/mss/index.php?html=/mss/newaids/BC1252.HTM&msscollid=611 and http://www.stgeorgescathedral.com/index.html.

From a former Parishioner of St George's Cathedral Cape Town, now living in England.

Anonymous said...

“And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all of them who sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,

And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.”

— Matthew 21:12-13

jonbirch said...

thank you bishop alan for your wisdom and thank you for representing many of us in your comments on bbc news.

Mark Bennet said...

To talk about the stock exchange going about its lawful business is to make an assumption - the same assumption which was once made about bank lending and credit default swaps and the like. To say that no-one can ask the question until the wealthy have taken the loot, and the poor are evicted from their homes is to repeat the mistakes of the past. The actions of traders and investors may be prima facie lawful, but they are so significant to society, and trust has broken down to such an extent, that we ought, as the protestors are doing, to put them to rendering a public account for their actions in language that the rest of us understand. And more than that, we need to examine whether laws which make some of this behaviour lawful are right laws (morally justified laws) or not. And the money brokers and power brokers have not yet "got it".

I preached a couple of weeks back on how, if your God is money, recent experiences have revealed the wrath of your God.

The kind of confrontation we now have will just strengthen the protest. Jesus said 'love your enemies, and bless those who persecute you' - not take out lawsuits against people who annoy you.

Robert said...

Extract from the reading at our Sunday service this morning:
"But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them "Rabbi"."
(Mat 23:3-7 NIV)
Why does this remind me of a Cathedral chapter?
Alan, you're setting a good example to your colleagues again. Actually going and seeing the camp? Careful, it might catch on.
The authorities at St Paul's have made the name of the CofE mud, and it's great to see people like Giles Fraser and you doing a bit to repair it. We should be on the side of the guy whose mother is supposed to have said: "He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away."

Bishop Alan Wilson said...

Jocelyn E. Chappell has left a new comment on your post "Showing off? shutting shop? showing up?":

Stephen Tomkins writes an insightful historical perspective: Is the Church inside or outside the establishment? (http://bbc.in/vifF4A) @ BBC News

Bishop Alan Wilson said...

Very glad of comments, espeially insider ones that throw light on some of the problems this story is exposing. I think there is a fabulous opportunity here, if only clergy and others from the Cathedral will engage on an equal basis with the protestors. If not, there is a chill resonance about the "prudence" that's been used of evicting them ("It was... prudent" said Caiaphas of something else in the NT). The Gospel imperative is not to be right, or secure, but to recognise a God-given moment when it comes. Let's hope and pray we all do.

Anonymous said...

On this day in 1517 Martin Luther nailed in the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg his 95 theses. That symbolic act changed the church and the history of Western Europe forever. The OLSX have become the nails and the living arguments against an institutional church that has lost its credibility and moral compass. The church will not be the same again.

Ernesto

Peetee said...

We know what the Lord Jesus would do. I fail to see why any religious leader or religious person is having difficulty deciding how to deal with this. Are they not Christians?

The Confused said...

@Peterpipe

In truth, knowing exactly what Jesus would do isn't easy.
However I don't see why their presence should cause a problem to any of the worship services at St Paul's

Tony B said...

As an outsider looking in at the Church of England, it's very confusing. To conservatives, Jesus was a conservative and the church is too left wing. To liberals, Jesus was a liberal and the church is too right wing. A clergyman at St Pauls says there is "no place at St Pauls for someone like [Giles Fraser]". The established church doesn't know if it's establishment or church. Trying to discern the true message of Christianity from all this is difficult. I've been flirtign with the church for a while, but now I'm washing my hair.

Orbilia said...

Well said Bishop Alan.

"What's the problem?" is the question I've been asking for days now. Initially some fire exits were blocked but the protesters moved from these areas as soon as the issue was raised.

Since when did peaceful protest become such a problem in the UK? I hear the government are even thinking about legislating to make sure such 'occupations' are henceforth illegal. Well, it seems like the police state has finally arrived!

I don't agree with every argument being raised by the protesters but I do defend their right to voice them.

I am embarrassed by the reaction of St Paul's and am put in mind of Jesus overturning the money-changer's tables in the temple.

Rosalind said...

I find myself reflecting on the translation of John 1.14 which goes:
"The Word became flesh and pitched his tent among us, and we saw his glory......"

But I am also reflecting on why the story is about what the Dean and Chapter of St Paul's (and now the bishop of London) should do or not do, rather than the issues that the protest camp is there to raise. Is this a diversion from questions that are harder for all of us than the simple question of whether the use of injunctions and force to move peaceful protestors is either right or even sensible. Or is this the time to begin looking at who really wants the protestors moved? And does this have anything to do with the questions they (the protestors) are trying to raise? To some extent, to spend time debating the rights and wrongs of camping in the cold on hard pavements is all of us not wanting to talk about the ethics or lack of ethics that underpin so much of how we live today - and the even harder question of how we might change ourselves and our society.

Chrissyt said...

I agree that we don't necessarily know what Jesus would do, but what seems to have been lacking in much of what has been said elsewhere is the suggestion that we should ask Him. Too simplistic perhaps, but I have always thought that to live a Godly life meant doing just that on a daily basis.

My great sadness is that what could have been so positive has yet again been hijacked by the media who have put their own spin on a great deal of what has been said

The Confused said...

Good news could be on the way... maybe.

http://www.stpauls.co.uk/News-Press/Latest-News/St-Pauls-suspends-legal-action-against-protest-camp

I even think I heard Canon Pastor Michael Colclough apologise on Radio 2 news earlier today - however I can't find a news story to confirm this so maybe I was hallucinating. Either way my money is looking less safe (and that's a good thing - see my earlier post).

Anyway it looks as though the Cathedral is finally starting to come to terms with the situation. Perhaps the protest may awaken the church to its call as a prophetic voice - speaking out against injustice in our land.



I have often thought that in today’s world, Bishops (particularly Arch Bishops) should have opinions about world issues that are known by the whole country. AB-York has occasionally achieved this, via things like cutting up his dog collar because of Mugabe, and camping in the cathedral because of the Middle East etc.
That is the sort of publicity the church should be getting - using its position to speak out.


I haven't seen Rowan do much of this, however if St Paul's does become a hub for discussing the flaws in capitalism then perhaps that's a start.

Archbeship Anthony said...

Hi all,

I have seen this on the TV. I think Dean or Chapter that resigned should be given be given a medal. He should have been allowed to just get on and deal with the problem. It is hard to know exactly how thing will turn out until they happen.

I also think that critising Archbishop Rowan is a Totally Pointless solution as it resolves absolutly Nothing. Rowan was probably going to see how things turned out before he took action, I know I would have done, that way it minimises the chances of taking action which could be imflamitory.

Many Thanks, Anthony

Anonymous said...

The Rev who conducted the Sunday service outside the locked doors at St Paul's is interviewed...

http://www.times-series.co.uk/news/9339330.Barnet_vicar_defends_decision_to_close_cathedral/

Jocelyn E. Chappell said...

OK, for what it is worth a layman's quick and dirty take on the St Paul's Institute report, "Value and Values: Perceptions of Ethics int he City Today".

Financial Service Professionals (FSPs) were surveyed independently and results analysed as follows. But first this single most important question obvious by its absence only after analysing the results, "What, if any, contribution does a Church body have to make to your facing of the issues raised by your work in the financial sector?" (have to say you could ask this of any job -- mine for example -- and the results would be interesting). Moving on to apparent contradictions:-
FSPs believe they are paid too much but that salary is their primary motivation to work and also that salary less of a motivation for more senior FSPs (who perhaps fear less the losing of their job). FSPs believe deregulation resulted in less ethical behaviour -- but many FSPs voted for deregulation and few argue that further regulation in face of economic catastrophes is more necessary now. And yet FSPs maintain that maximising shareholder benefits is consistent with maintaining ethical standards. FSPs believe they are overpaid (compared to teachers for example -- I really like this bit) but that FSPs are under valued (Mmmm, I wonder the how and the why). Bottom line:- it is difficult to search for and apply the wisdom of god within the financial mechanics of global trade (and I'd say that about my job too -- can't speak for anyone else).
Like I said, for what it's worth a quick and dirty take.

Anonymous said...

Hi
This year I was asked by my vicar to be a church warden. I accepted because I was flattered that my church community thought that I was the right kind of person to hold this position.I live in a semi rural community near a major city.I was christened a Roman Catholic but went to a church of England School because of my mothers sad times at a Nun controlled School during the late 30s. I became a member of my local Church 16 years ago after the local vicar came to my house. Over the years of taking my children to the church I began to enjoy the community and regained my faith in Jesus. I always thought the message from Christ was pure and simple and going to this church and seeing the way that both young and old had great understanding made me feel the true meaning of the word of Christ.
However since becoming the church warden it saddens me that the way that the church is run is like a company on the stock market. The poor vicar is the company accountant having to worry more about the parish share than doing what I thought he was employed to do. Do not get me wrong we all have to think of ways of paying our clergy but as Christ said we should think of one another and things will work itself out.Lets go back to the two main commandments and things will get better. People today are put off by all this money counting just as Jesus was.

Jocelyn E. Chappell said...

At last. "What if the true reason for the [financial] crisis was... energy?" introduces Jeremy Rifkin who argues everything from the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers in September 2008 is just a consequence of a western economc business model too highly focussed on oil that can no longer fuel the growth to which we became accustomed.

Focussing on the bankers and their bonusses alone would perhaps miss the mark.

Jocelyn E. Chappell said...

And perhaps finally for my comments to this blog entry Sue Mitchell of passion.org.uk (a resource for tomorrow's church) ended six sides of A4 summarising "Facing 2012" with these paragraphs (I had to look up "hegemony"),

"Dream different dreams

The challenge this year is not how things can be restored to how they were, even re-invested with our interpretation of Christian values. Instead it’s how to imagine and live out practical new manifestations of genuinely inclusive community within a crumbling social edifice. We have to struggle with fresh ideas of how as individuals we can engage in brotherly collaboration with those ‘different’ from us and how to handle the resource of that interaction rightly. The challenge is to love unconditionally, empower good agendas other than our own within multi-cultural communities and experiment with ways in which such groups can align non-competitively and resource each other. We need to explore again how ‘to live in peace with all people’ and ‘to be content ’ as a vibrant alternative to the clamour for rights and consumption.

The old hegemony is being challenged at every level, from the streets, to the G20 and IMF. I believe this is under the urging of God himself, who came to abolish ‘all rule and all authority and power.’ (1 Cor. 15:24) What the alternative society looks like, one resourced by a love which may kill the initiator, but never the dissident, is down to us and our ability to embrace chaotic creativity, dream different dreams and see unexpected visions.

Sue Mitchell, August 2011."
http://www.passion.org.uk/documents/Facing%202012.pdf

Spiritual Workshops said...

Great piece, thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

"From a former member, now living in England" because post-Apartheid South Africa's crime rate has gone through the roof.
How's that diversity thing working out for you>?

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