Are We Really Being Thrown to the Lions?

 
Rowan Williams, former  Archbishop of Canterbury now Master Magdalene College, Cambridge has urged Christos in the west to grow-up and stop complaining about being ‘persecuted’. For deets, check out the link here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/10244716/Persecuted-British-Christians-need-to-grow-up-says-former-Archbishop-Rowan-Williams.html

In comments made at the Edinburgh International Book Fair he said that being mocked or trivialised in the media is in no way comparable to the life or death threats to those living in other parts of the world. To an extent he is right; one can hardly compare an eye-roll from a colleague when you share that you follow a faith to a gun placed on your temple if a bible is found in your home, as is the case in some parts of the world.

However,  what a lot of Christians who feel they are persecuted are bothered about is not only the relative speed in which the volte-face from respected faith to one that is attacked relentlessly has come in the West but also the perception that those of other faiths are somewhat ‘protected’ as to attack them might be perceived as un-PC at best, downright racist at worst. Pick up a newspaper, especially one with a liberal leaning and with the exception of the Celeb Christo status currently afforded Pope Francis, the rest  of us are  seen as cartoon cut-out stereotypes. Be it raving bigots (see gay marriage and/or women bishops dramas), irrational nut-jobs (see the on-going Creationism debates) or simply daft, dangerous and on the way to extinction (see anything written by the New Atheists and their merry band of acolytes – funny how for a group so against organised belief structures and champions of free-thinking and individual thought, they are quite an organised, zealous and singular band of believers themselves, but I digress). However,  the stereotypes are not  entirely true: and yet they stick, and form a basis for hostility, hence the feeling of persecution.

To be a Christian is at its drill down to the essentials essence, to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, desire a relationship with him and believe in his divinity. The rest;  be it seven sacraments or two, stained glass windows or none, dance-offs in the aisles or contemplative silence is table dressing. And whilst I am not for a moment claiming that there aren’t heated debates and differences between the ‘conservative’ and ‘liberal’ wings within the faith, the media does come across as a bit heavy handed in its attempt to describe us as a homogenous and intolerant group, desperately trying to cling to relevance whilst facing falling figures in the pews  and ambivalence amongst the young.

But if we are persecuted is it really such a bad thing?

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.” Matthew5:11

Whilst it doesn’t feel like  a pop the champagne moment when you are persecuted, Jesus does say we are blessed because of it. To be a Christian has always been to be tangibly different. Why else, the analogies Jesus uses such as ‘salt and light’? Furthermore, difference by its very nature is often questioned and commented on and sometimes difference solicits fear, mockery and even contempt. And whilst yes, a generation or two ago it would be safe to assume that the majority around you would be rocking up to a Sunday service, it doesn’t diminish the veracity of what those of us who do continue to believe in, despite what the popular consensus is.  Being a picked-on group in the 21^st century is actually a bit of a boon. It’s an opportunity to be counter-cultural, edgy, dare I type it, cool. Because here is the thing, when everyone gets bored of cynicism, self-hatred ,  addictions,  mendacity,  aggression, consumerism  and solipsism as a way of life; in we enter stage left with:

“… love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23

So instead of grumbling about not being in the ascendancy we should revel in the current situation. After all, everyone loves an under-dog and they have a surprising knack of actually winning

The Parable of the Caravan and the Suitcase filled with Fish and Fizz

I have always been a Christo, recently I heard a new term for it, ‘Cradle Christian’ (yes, I think it sounds faintly ridiculous too), but like anyone who has been in a relationship for a very long time will attest, my enthusiasm can be very much of the peak and trough variety. Sometimes I’m having a mountain-top moment, at other times an experience more akin with the Other Place.

Last week gave me the perfect opportunities to not only re-connect with God, but also to do a little bit of a re-launch for CCC too.  I joined a few thousand on fire for the Lord types at my church, HTB’s annual holiday, Focus. Keen readers of this blog, will know that last year I was a novice in a field, with a tent I had never put up before and just some Taittinger for company. What a difference a year makes. This year I was in a caravan, already feeling the proverbial ‘overflow’ because hot running water and bedding that wasn’t on the ground were now the order of the day. The only element of adventure was sharing with seven other ladies, only three of whom I knew before. Because we were all sweet Christo types there was never a tussle for the only longish mirror and the curling irons and ensembles seemed to be happily shared by all; perhaps channelling the words of Luke:

“…Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none and anyone who has food should do the same” Luke 3:11

The restricted space in the caravan showed me how a communality of purpose could make even the most cramped environment a haven for all of us and a place where friendships would inevitably deepen. 

So onto the suitcase: before Focus, I knew both CCC as a blog and as an event had been a little quiet. In fact, far too quiet. Where in the past there had been thought provoking discussions and even the occasional conversion, there was now just the odd post, and certainly no elegant evangelist soirees to invite a friend to either to be encouraged more in their faith or talk about having one at all. As in all the best miracles.com stories, resources for the CCC reboot were scarce. I hadn’t been paid yet, yet I was convicted to do The Wedding at Cana meets the Feeding of the 5000 as a food theme, despite the lack of abundant funds (for recipes see gastrotastic.com). Debit card in hand, and with my nephew on co-shopper duties, we missioned it to the 24 hours Sainsbury’s on Ladbroke Grove at around 10pm, not only miracles.com but lastminute.com too! As God would have it, a friendly manager extended the offer on Prosecco to me (it had technically finished) and we ran around, mad March hare styles picking up Smoked Salmon, Tuna, Sardines and Lumpfish Caviar (next year it will be Sevruga), and assorted ingredients to make a feast that Jesus himself would find delish. The end result was a crowd gathered outside our caravan for a soiree, and though there was a torrential downpour and we were forced to squeeze indoors, something God breathed was revitalised:

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19

So what to expect from Cool, Chic and in Christ, delicious canapés and cocktails aside? Well, articles, an interactive site (rebuild in process), small and large events and a space online where you can discuss all things Jesus related without fear of condemnation. I do not know where the journey will end, but I am definitely up for all the twists and turns, so please feel free to join me.