Building a Better World

My first book, Building a Better World, has just been published, and I have been really excited to see the finished copies.  I wrote the book to invite those who long for a fairer world to reflect on whether their commitment to justice and transformation in society could be strengthened by Christian Spirituality.  The book is written as a conversation, and encourages a debate around the role that Christian faith plays in transforming society.  It is written for anyone who is motivate to do something to build a better world - whether of faith, or having no personal faith. 

You can buy your copy of Building a Better World online at the Faithworks website, or at most national bookstores.  You might want to consider buying a copy as a gift for a friend who might like to explore a positive Christian spirituality.  To engage with some of the topics and issues that I raise, please join the debate on my Building A Better World Blog.

Just War?

The events that are unfolding in Lebanon and Israel are horrific. They are, of course, the most recent chapter of a bloody conflict and history which must disturb every person with a conscience. I've been challenged by the largely pro-Israeli stance of the press and the media here in the UK and and deeply troubled by the lack of a coherent voice from the Christian sector of British and North American life. Why can't we just say that the killing of innocent men and women in Lebanon and Israel is wrong? But the larger question has to be does violence ever solve anything? I think not, but would value your view.

War is never just. Look at the faces of mourning mothers and angry brothers and you can see that this is not going to solve anything. Coming from Northern Ireland, I've had my share of the consequences of violence. From friends to family members, I've attended too many funerals to think that the violent taking of another person's life ever solves anything.

How can we justify the indiscriminate killing of almost 800 Lebanese people? How can Hezbollah justify the deat of over 50 Israelis? And why isn't there a clear and unambiguos call for a ceasefire and an end to the outrage that is taking place in the Middle East at the moment. If the attacks on Lebanon by Israel were reversed, Tony Blair, George Bush and a myriad of other western leaders would have spoken up.  How can leaders of the Christian church remain silent in the face of this atrocity? The attacks are wrong and they must stop. I'm in contact with Lebanese and Israeli people and over the last few days have been heart broken as I read the emails of terrorised Lebanese civilians. Their children, their brothers and their parents are dying. Their homes are being destroyed and their futures shattered. The same is true of many families in Israel. The YMCA in Lebanon and the Baptist church are creaking under the pressure, yet determined to stay and do something to help those who are suffering.

We should take sides in this conflict. But we should take the side of the attacked, the excluded, the bereaved, the poor and the mourning - whatever their nationality and whatever the shade of their religious or political convictions. God will not take the side of either Lebanon or Israel. He will stand with every one who is being needlessly attacked on both sides. We should too.

I'm reminded of the story of the fall of Jericho recorded in Joshua Chapter 5. Joshua wanted God to takes sides and asked God which side He was on:

Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, "Are you for us or for our enemies?"

14 "Neither," he replied, "but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come." Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, "What message does my Lord [d] have for his servant?"

15 The commander of the LORD's army replied, "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy." And Joshua did so.

God patently refused to be nationalistic with Joshua and we should follow his example. I was challenged yesterday by Matthew Choater 15 which tells me simply that after Jesus had spent time in Judea - he departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon - modern day Lebanon.

God is not only in Jersualem, he is in Beirut as well.

Valuing questions – A Response to the Times 01/08/06

Sir,

Your editorial A Question of Values (The Times, August 1), raises important questions in response to the crisis in the Middle East:

Is the level of violence proportionate? No. Israel launched its action in response to what was clearly a military incident. After three weeks of fighting, around 750 people – mainly civilians – have been killed by Israeli action. At present, 51 Israelis – including at least 18 civilians – have been killed by Hezbollah.

Is the action well targeted? Not very well, given that innocent people are still being killed.

Is it effective? That remains to be seen

In the light of this, we need to be cautious about asserting Israel as the model of democracy in the region.  Violence, whoever the perpetrator, only results in heartache, pain and destruction; and it breeds more violence.

I agree that this is more than a “spat across the Israel-Lebanon border”. However, a passionate response is not necessarily driven by emotion alone. When the bomb explodes and a child dies, whether he is Israeli or Lebanese, the colour of his blood is the same.

As the leader of a Christian movement in the UK, I know there are many other Christians in the UK and US who are struggling with what they are watching, and are praying that the innocent will be protected.

Open letter from the Revd Malcolm Duncan on the proposed new sexual orientation regulations 31/07/06

I'm concerned that there is widespread misunderstanding of the proposed new sexual orientation regulations (SOR). I welcome the SOR as an attempt to ensure that goods and services are delivered inclusively and in non-discriminatory ways.

I am concerned that some Christian organisations have misinterpreted the word “services” to mean religious ceremonies and rites, when this is clearly not the case. The SOR apply to the delivery of public services - this does not include worship activities and ceremonies that are a part of organised religion e.g. baptisms, communion etc. ‘Ministers of religion’ are also exempt from the Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations.

While maintaining that faith groups have the right to distinctive faith perspectives, Faithworks, the movement which I lead and I are committed to the principles of unconditional inclusive service, and believe that public funds should only be used to public benefit.

Some representatives from faith groups are in danger of sounding homophobic because of their misinterpretation and misapplication of the Sexual Orientation Regulations.

The Faithworks movement is committed to inclusion and transformation. Thousands of our members up and down the UK are already working to build a better world by delivering services to their communities on this inclusive and non-discriminatory basis. Many have signed the Faithworks Charter, a set of principles for local Christian agencies committed to excellence in three areas: inclusive service, professional delivery and Christian distinctiveness. The charter stipulates that they will serve and respect all people, regardless of their gender, marital status, race, ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation or physical and mental capability.

I believe that Christian community organisations, and those of other faiths, can maintain their distinctive faith identities while still serving the needs of their whole communities. I do not interpret the new Sexual Orientation Regulations as a threat to that.

Caricaturing the Christian perspective as antagonistic and homophobic may be easy, but it is not always accurate. Christians are moving beyond antagonism towards positive engagement. The reality is that on a daily basis millions of Christians across the UK engage holistically, inclusively and compassionately with people in their communities.