Pages

Thursday 10 November 2016

What does it take to make a Christian?

The events in America in the past 24 hours have presented me with a dilemma of mammoth proportions.

Shock and disbelief have been quickly replaced with fear and revulsion.

Never an admirer of Hilary Clinton yet the worst I feel for her is a wary, cynical unconvinced acceptance that she would be better than this alternative.

So much bile, vitriol and verbal abuse has been the main feature of both campaigns that it has been increasingly difficult to see the wood for the trees (assuming there is any).

Nevertheless what I have read and heard of Donald Trump has contained no single shred of hope for America's huge mixed race population, no way forward for it's aspiring female young and a very real danger that sensitive delicate negotiations between Europe and America will be trampled underfoot in the power struggle.

Our Rector who is an American has remarked that we must, as Christians keep hope alive and pray that the hectoring rhetoric of the past weeks will be replaced with a more balanced and reasoned approach when the new President takes office.

I find this very hard to do.

When I was baptised (in the 1180's font pictured above) I was made to understand that the past was just that, and that this was the beginning of a new and better life.

Part of that better life was to be the way I behaved to others, not just those I met face-to-face, but all those who impacted on my life in any way.

This I strive to do - though it is very much a work in progress- but the  thing I find most difficult is to restrain my angry reactions and violent verbal criticism of those I perceive to be wrongdoers.

Never known for my tact and diplomacy and far too outspoken for my own good, biting my tongue has become a way of life, but, every now and then I feel the need to rant.

So utterly dismayed am I at the result of this election that I have to remain silent.

Once started I would never be able to finish.

9 comments:

  1. Have a look at this video, if you believe in such stuff. Just another perspective. Only time will tell. https://youtu.be/z3W_XJwTDD0

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sorry Colin, can't make it work.

    ReplyDelete
  3. You feel much as I do Ray...just as well we are both old women!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Speak for yourself Jean. Since my 75th birthday I have decided to reduce my age by five years every birthday.
    This makes me currently 45.
    Suddenly, in the light of this week's events it doesn't seem such a good idea.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Horray!!! I can make comments again!!
    You know Ray, I don't believe we should be quiet, not always anyway. Seeing how things are collapsing around us makes one think that we are abandoned but we are not. Making your voice heard when you are worried and have concerns for the Creation, is not a sin!! Jesus didn't keep quiet did he? What we musn't do is make judgements, it's not up to us. I didn't really like Hillary either, but Trump scares me. I've come to realize that you have a way with words, Ray, and if that should be that your tongue elopes to cut some egos into size, I believe grace is a haven for such incidents. Where would we be without grace? And where would this world be if there wasn't mercy and righteousness?
    And since I am older(!) than you(53) I should know !!! I keep slipping...oh dear!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Believe me Solveig I have no real intention of holding my tongue, though sometimes it would perhaps be better if I did.
    Since politics has been a part of my life since I was born I can't refrain from having opinions, but this present development fills me with fear and I don't like feeling helpless.
    My tongue, or rather my keyboard, is my only weapon and one I try to use effectively even if the words reach very few ears.
    I too think we need to speak out when there is a serious threat to our way of life.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Indeed!!! There is great difference between speaking the truth and being malvolent!! So onward the truth!!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Coming to this several weeks after you wrote, I'll just say that I share your horror at the result of the election and like you fear for the future. I've seen no sign the the new president-elect is moderating his rhetoric as his inauguration approaches. It's going to be a difficult few years.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm just glad I'm not an American citizen, I really wouldn't want that on my conscience.

    ReplyDelete