tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77295241035395047782024-03-13T11:33:07.623+00:00Out on Holy GroundSpace to explore sexuality (and other things!) from a Christian perspective...Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13249621725873414924noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729524103539504778.post-51351432371569718902012-11-28T23:43:00.000+00:002012-11-28T23:43:04.238+00:00Moving on...Dear Reader,<br />
<br />
Please now follow this blog at <a href="http://outonholyground.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">tumblr</a>.<br />
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Huge thanks for your support.<br />
<br />
Martin<br />
XXMartinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13249621725873414924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729524103539504778.post-47766181854345836502011-08-13T14:31:00.005+01:002011-08-13T14:45:28.922+01:00How do I love: Anders Behring Breivik, Bashar al-Assad, rioters and homophobes? - Part 1 - Stop trying to 'Win'
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<br /><p align="left"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 120px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640333226773100914" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yvDwYtBUiWk/TkZ9L5ykuXI/AAAAAAAAAE0/cTtVjGUDbmk/s200/Bashar-al-Assad-President-001.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 112px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640333225715507794" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MANUExlVHQA/TkZ9L12bIlI/AAAAAAAAAEs/CMvnyxVLWmo/s200/b0091821_4e41744f2a7b1.jpg" /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fxQteoZpkQk/TkZ9LmBrlvI/AAAAAAAAAEk/_QlpHBvq1ok/s1600/Anders-Behring-Breivik-007.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 120px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640333221467756274" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fxQteoZpkQk/TkZ9LmBrlvI/AAAAAAAAAEk/_QlpHBvq1ok/s200/Anders-Behring-Breivik-007.jpg" /></a>
<br /><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Calibri;">These past months have forced us to re-focus on the fact of life that is injustice, abuse and – evil. We has seen challenged governments attacking citizens crying out for fairness and honesty in authority; one mans intolerance and fanaticism leading to the deaths of young people busy in the very process of political engagement; and here in the UK we have seen riots robbing many of property, homes, health, and in one case - life.</span></p>
<br /><p align="left"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Calibri;">I have found myself living again the anger and frustration and pity I feel when confronted with injustice.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Calibri;">Being bullied, struggling to ‘come out’ in a hetero-dominated world (not to mention Church!), caring for a disabled Mum, creating my own injustice and abuse of self – all of these and more have shaped and created in me a strong and passionate response to all and any injustice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p>
<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Calibri;">I constantly seek to do all I can to find ways of preventing or moving on from the pain and hopelessness that many face each day.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Calibri;">As a Christian, I am filled with a vast array of stories and metaphor and examples to follow – all calling me to seek reconciliation and to love those that hurt me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Calibri;">I’m confident that I’m not the only one who struggles – who knows the truth of that call, but finds that my soul simply cannot bring itself to live that life of gratuitous love for all.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Calibri;">As many Christian denominations find themselves polarised when exploring human sexuality and as one who is so affected by this challenge, I am left asking <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">how do I love those – and bear with those who hate me and judge me and cause me anger and pain?</b> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Calibri;">Some thoughts:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Calibri;">Christ as Victim</span></u></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:10;"> <span style="font-size:85%;">– (reflections on a lecture by James Alison at </span></span></u></i><span style="font-size:85%;"><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place><st1:placename><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Calibri;">Trinity</span></u></i></st1:placename><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Calibri;"> </span></u></i><st1:placetype><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Calibri;">Church</span></u></i></st1:placetype></st1:place><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Calibri;">, </span></u></i><st1:street><st1:address><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Calibri;">Wall St</span></u></i></st1:address></st1:street><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Calibri;">.)</span></u></i><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></span></p>
<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Calibri;">Reconciliation is often seen as second place. First place goes to winning over our opponents’ position.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Calibri;">Jesus faced much injustice and pain with us and lived with that frustration, anger and hurt – yet winning over us was never his first choice. He rather offered us and welcomed us into the spaciousness of God’s love.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Calibri;">Jesus died at the hands of our default position. Even knowing ‘the facts’ of humanities frailty, in Christ’s death we are exposed to Gods love.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Calibri;">Christ does not show us our ‘sin’ from a position of ‘I told you so’, as victor – but as victim. Not to guilt us into change, but to expose us to love. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Calibri;">In terms of the churches struggle over sexuality, particularly the polarisation of left and right, we have to move beyond a stance that seeks ‘a winner’.</span><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Calibri;">Both sides argue with compulsion and truth, yet both ignore the humanity and divine nature of the other.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Calibri;">I have always felt that the one thing missing in our conversations (in the </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Calibri;">UK</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Calibri;">, </span><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Calibri;">Africa</span></st1:place><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Calibri;"> and around the world) is any Pastoral awareness.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Calibri;">Leaving the race for a ‘win’ aside may just give us the space to see God in each other, to value each person.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Calibri;">The language of winners and losers is the language of power. It is humanities default position to seek dominance if we have experienced injustice – but ultimately this only means that when/if the ‘losers’ win, then another set of ‘losers’ is created, and the story goes on.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div>
<br />Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13249621725873414924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729524103539504778.post-1152709255909555602011-08-13T14:15:00.002+01:002011-08-13T14:18:36.877+01:00'Out on Holy Ground' for your Mobile!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2OmIOJO7rOw/TkZ5kheJX5I/AAAAAAAAAEc/MKdTEuF69XI/s1600/chart.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 120px; height: 120px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2OmIOJO7rOw/TkZ5kheJX5I/AAAAAAAAAEc/MKdTEuF69XI/s320/chart.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640329251695189906" /></a>
<br /><p><span >How clever is this!</span></p><p><span >Simply scan this code with your smartphone and sit back and view my blog on your phone!</span></p><p><span >Enjoy!</span></p>Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13249621725873414924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729524103539504778.post-71004876655296703372011-08-07T10:04:00.002+01:002011-08-07T10:07:00.980+01:00I'm back!<p>Having abandoned my blog for an age, I'm ready to start sharing again.</p><p>Give me a few days and I'll be posting something about how Gay Christians relate to anti-gay Christians. There is important thinking to be done on this issue...</p><p><br /></p><p>Martin</p>Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13249621725873414924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729524103539504778.post-38943443405235263972010-06-14T12:52:00.000+01:002010-06-14T12:52:51.880+01:00Alexandre Guilmant: Symphony No. 2 for Organ and Orchestra - part 1<object style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(http://i4.ytimg.com/vi/7es98AW8nYI/hqdefault.jpg)" width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7es98AW8nYI&hl=en_GB&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7es98AW8nYI&hl=en_GB&fs=1" width="425" height="344" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13249621725873414924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729524103539504778.post-51465132258929825582009-10-06T12:26:00.003+01:002009-10-06T12:35:49.743+01:00Deep in the footprint of my soul<p>So - I've been digging around in 'My Docs' and found this hymn.</p><p>I wrote it back in April 2005 during a particularly difficult period.</p><p>It seems to best fit the tune 'Crimond' </p><p>- but its in Common Meter, so there are plenty of others to choose from!</p><p>Feel free to use it, so long as you put my name at the bottom!</p><p><br /></p><p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Arial">Deep in the footprint of my soul</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Arial">I hide my darkest fears,</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Arial">Those things that make me less that whole,</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Arial">And cause the hidden tears.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Arial">And in that deepest, secret place,</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Arial">The heart of God is known;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Arial">Incarnate word and sacred space,</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Arial">God’s loving grace is sown.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Arial">At times I find it hard to tell,</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Arial">Beyond the daily fears;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Arial">Beyond the landscape painted hell,</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Arial">The peace of God is near.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Arial"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Arial">Yet shall I sing with all my soul,</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Arial">In wholeness <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">with</i> my pain,</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Arial">That God is closer than my breath</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Arial">And loving of my name.</span></p><p></p>Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13249621725873414924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729524103539504778.post-34171608193884371462009-08-20T14:13:00.003+01:002009-08-20T14:27:49.872+01:00Compassion Wins the Day!The release of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Abdelbaset</span> Ali <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">al</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Megrahi</span> is a triumph for the idea of Justice with Compassion.<br /><br />It is <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">precisely</span> because he showed no compassion to those he killed, that this decision is so right.<br />It shows that the Scottish Government and legal system understand and seek to enact compassion and mercy where it is so lacking in those convicted of crimes.<br />This has to be the hallmark of good governance; of a society that all of us should be free to enjoy.<br /><br />As a wise person once said:<br />'An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth - very soon we will all be blind and toothless'<br /><br />May truth, justice and <strong><em>mercy </em></strong>be the basis of our lives.Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13249621725873414924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729524103539504778.post-26627296870317925572009-06-10T13:57:00.002+01:002009-06-10T14:00:02.921+01:00Still here!I can't believe it's been a year since my last blog!<br /><br />This is not going to be an epic - just to say that I have finally had Disc Replacement Surgery and am slowly recovering.<br /><br />I'll be back soon to bore you all again.Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13249621725873414924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729524103539504778.post-85955553180983516162008-06-22T17:20:00.004+01:002010-06-12T10:25:34.022+01:00Mugabe's 'Genocide''Genocide' is a very strong word which fortunately remains relatively untouched by media over use. For MDC officials to conjure up the images of 'Genocide' is entirely fitting, given the utter horror of Mugabe's brutal reign.<br /><br />I remain shocked that it has taken so many years for the international community to fully understand what life is like in Zimbabwe. My stays in 1997 and 2001 taught me much about the constant level of fear that ordinary Zimbabweans, both rural and urban, have to face on a daily basis. I cannot understand why it has taken so long! Obviously the situation is more severe now, but it is only marginally more so than during previous elections - the last three of which were also stolen and corrupted.<br /><br />How many more people will have to die - beaten, raped and burned to death?<br /><br />I fully respect the MDC for making the torturous decision to withdraw from the campaign for the sake of Zimbabweans, not wanting them to continue facing such tyranny. Mugabe will claim victory but in reality (if he has any grasp of it), his regimen is doomed - at least this is my prayer!<br /><br />Enough is enough.<br /><br />We really are on the verge of yet another Genocide and if our humanity is worth anything, we must act - in any way we can!<br /><br />More importantly - we must make the Zimbabwean voices heard!Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13249621725873414924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729524103539504778.post-85338918091186022012008-06-13T15:40:00.002+01:002008-06-13T15:59:19.747+01:00Lions for LambsOK peeps,<br /><br />I just watched this film starring Robert Redford, Meryl Streep and Tom Cruise.<br />It is a must see!<br /><br />If you know me, you will know that the political world view portrayed in the film is what makes me like it. It is a complex interwoven political thriller / drama, taking a look at the 'war on terror', the media, politics and personal responsibility in the US, but it echoes loudly into the British context. It is far from being a balanced exploration and does come with a heavy bias - but frankly all that actually means is that it says something and means to say it.<br /><br />Films like this keep my mind active whilst my body tells me to rest.<br />It does also inspire me to know more - to guard against ignorance and to actually get involved rather than just railing against all that is wrong.<br /><br />So - watch it and see what you think!<br /><br />Watch the utube clip - left.Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13249621725873414924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729524103539504778.post-72183926855092992752008-05-23T13:15:00.000+01:002008-05-23T13:17:49.746+01:00Just CopingBeing long-term ill or disabled is a real challenge, not least because alongside any direct symptoms you also have to cope with new societal prejudices.<br /><br />The language of ‘winning battles’ with regard to illness, has always bothered me. People coping with cancer are very frequently described as ‘battling’ the disease. If they are successfully treated and go into remission they are described as ‘winning the battle against cancer’. Media or public reports if someone dies of cancer will often include the phrase: ‘after a long and courageous battle they lost their fight’ – implying a wilful weakness on their part.<br /><br />I understand the sentiment but deeply resist the metaphor. Very simply the language of warfare is totally inappropriate for those suffering illness. In a war there are winners and there are losers (in my own opinion, in war, everyone is a loser – but you get the point!). Winners are seen as strong and courageous, losers as weak and cowardly. To use this language is to risk pushing the comparison to adverse extremes, perhaps imagining that those we perceive as losing their battle or not fighting hard enough, are weak and gutless.<br /><br />As I said, I do understand the sentiment as we should admire those who we see coping with great strength and fortitude, but I get very cross when I hear outside observers judging the ill and disabled if they are deemed to not be coping well.<br /><br />On the flip side, I also understand how annoying it can be to hear someone going on and on about how ill they are or how little they can do. I remember a friend of my Mum who was forever complaining about her many problems, in stark contrast to Mum who suffered (really suffered!) in silence. I'm not extolling the virtues of suffering in silence as we are being encouraged by psychologists to be honest with ourselves and with others about our emotions and feelings, but the truth is that are patience runs thin very quickly.<br /><br />Speaking of psychobods, I know that part of the reason I am writing this and part of the reason why I get so annoyed when I see people using the language of warfare, of winners and losers, and when they judge those who are vocal about their suffering, is that at times I feel judged and I feel weak and overcome because of my illness. I judge myself by how well I feel I am coping.<br /><br />I have suffered with chronic lower back pain for almost 10 years now. It has gradually got worse and now includes pain and pins and needles radiating into my left leg which means that I use crutches to help me get about. I have Degenerative Disc Disease affecting L3/4, L4/5 and L5/S1 and I need a 2 level Artificial Disc Replacement – not available on the NHS at present. The constant and extreme pain severely limits my mobility and my days are spent trying to get comfortable.<br /><br />The stories of people who fight on and show great courage do inspire, but they also make me feel weak – this is despite the truth that I do what I can. Even knowing that I do as much as I can and that I remain positive and hopeful, I am made to feel as if I should be climbing a mountain or doing a 20 mile run for charity. Then I would be described as ‘courageous’ and ‘winning the fight’, and I could look back on this period as the time I ‘overcame’ my physical problems.<br /><br />Despite the fact that I am on Income Support and have just applied for Disability allowance, despite the fact that my pain is overwhelming, has stopped me working and means I go out maybe once a week, despite the fact that small tasks make me tired and I am often incontinent at night – despite all this I know that I am strong and that I cope in the only way I can.<br /><br />I don’t want any awards for winning the battle against Degenerative Disc Disease, I can’t and don’t want to do a bungee-jump - I just rest in the knowledge that I have got through another day and that for countless millions and I, this is the greatest of challenges. Getting through the day will never win any awards - its not public enough, but it is no less courageous and the sufferers are not weak because they can't climb the highest mountain or trek the Andes.<br /><br />We all cope in the way that we can – in the way that gets us through, and we should be far less judgemental towards others because everyone who suffers (which is everyone) will do what they need to do. Some do run or jump out of planes, and some write and read and think, and some rest and lie down. Some are quiet and some speak of their pain. Some surround themselves with family and friends and some hibernate – but we all cope.<br /><br />Yet again the wonderful idea of being 'normal' and being judged by that standard, strips us of all that gives us strength. We judge and are judged by our relation to the norm and we miss the beautiful point that we are all unique and loved and strong and whole.<br /><br />I’m not fighting a war. I’m not involved in some triumphalistic battle between good and evil.<br /><br />I am coping.<br /><br />I am getting on with my life – just as it is,<br /><br />and I invite you to rejoice with me,<br /><br />to cry with me,<br /><br />to scream with me,<br /><br />and to dance with me.<br /><br />Just be there and cope with me,<br />but don’t judge me!<br /><br />Maybe then I will stop judging myself!Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13249621725873414924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729524103539504778.post-86440193122781690012008-03-28T18:19:00.001+00:002008-03-28T18:19:58.992+00:00Mugabe MUST go!!!<p><a href="http://lh4.google.com/outonholyground/R-02yD5OhXI/AAAAAAAAACc/bbaBZZKWh30/ap_zimbabwe_070606_ms%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="200" alt="ap_zimbabwe_070606_ms" src="http://lh5.google.com/outonholyground/R-02zT5OhYI/AAAAAAAAACk/o-kNGZrJOQs/ap_zimbabwe_070606_ms_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg" width="260" align="left" border="0" /></a>This will certainly be the shortest comment I've made to date!</p> <p>The title says it all - Robert Mugabe, Tyrant of Zimbabwe, must go!</p> <p>I have no doubt that the vast majority of people will or would like to vote for the MDC, but equally I have no doubt that the delusional Mugabe and his ZANU-PF will steal tomorrows election like they have the last three.</p> <p>His wilful destruction of a nation, an economy and a people is more than enough to see him on trial for Abuses against Humanity, but again, realism strikes. Maybe I can rely on some hope that he will be condemned to the history books sooner rather than later.</p> <p>The United Nations should hang its head in shame, as should all free thinking people, for not standing alongside the oppressed, the raped, the murdered and the disposed.</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Long live Zimbabwe.</strong></p> <p><strong>God bless Zimbabwe. </strong></p> <p><strong>May she regain her strength and her beauty.</strong></p></blockquote> Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13249621725873414924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729524103539504778.post-4493883496064676822008-03-06T15:35:00.001+00:002008-03-06T15:35:46.687+00:00Love one another: A Pluralist View<p>During this Lenten season my local church has been using a study course called 'Love one another', which seeks to explore this core Christian belief by looking at relationships in the family, the church, the community, the environment and with God. </p> <p>In week 3: the Community, we were asked to discuss the question 'How do we relate to other faith communities in love without compromising our Christian faith?'</p> <p>The group represents a broad spectrum of Christian traditions, including United Reformed, Methodist, Moravian, Anglican, and the New Testament Church of God Pentecostal. When considering the question of relationships with other faiths, there is one troublesome biblical quote that always rears it's head: <em>'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me'</em> - John 14: 6. </p> <p>The discussion then took on a rather philosophical air, but was brought back to earth when we were asked to think about our daily interactions with people from different cultures, faiths, experiences etc. </p> <p>How do we engage with different people? </p> <p>Very simply, the majority of people replied that we should and do try to treat all people with respect, openness, compassion and with the ability to disagree in love. </p> <p>But, now I get to the point! <br />I'm sure that most people do try to treat those they meet in this 'loving' way - but I am also sure that our underlying faith and belief claims do have a profound influence on how we treat each other. </p> <ul> <li>If I say that the UK is the greatest nation on the earth - this can make me believe that all other countries are lesser and even against us. </li> <li>If I say Men are better - this can make me feel negatively to Women. </li> <li>If I am told that Immigrants are taking all our jobs - how do I feel about all migrants? </li> </ul> <p>We cloud our own minds, or have them clouded by the media, or faith, or upbringing - we make massive assumptions about those around us - especially when we think that we are right. </p> <p>When we use truth-claims to express our belief that our own faith is the only truth and the only way to God, this most certainly does influence how we view the people we know and meet. </p> <p>Obviously there are various different ways of understanding the John 14: 6 quote, but one dangerous way is to say that only certain Christians have it right and that every other faith or ideal is simply wrong. This can mean that those who espouse this way of thinking will view others with a certain arrogance, with pity for the dammed, or with a loving, if superior, desire to convert and save. </p> <p>Christianity is not the only faith in which texts and dogma have been used to exclusivist ends, but there is an ever increasing number of people who are seeking to make sense of a world in which there is brilliant diversity and difference. </p> <p>The question is being asked, 'Can only one faith be right?' </p> <p>If we say yes, I wonder if this understanding expresses our experience of God and would it relate to the world around us? <a href="http://lh3.google.com/outonholyground/R9APRo4k7LI/AAAAAAAAACM/inNxC74AfYc/prism-and-refraction-of-light-into-rainbow-2-AJHD%5B18%5D"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="240" alt="prism-and-refraction-of-light-into-rainbow-2-AJHD" src="http://lh3.google.com/outonholyground/R9APTo4k7MI/AAAAAAAAACU/AhAL2gpnANE/prism-and-refraction-of-light-into-rainbow-2-AJHD_thumb%5B16%5D" width="181" align="right" border="0" /></a></p> <p>For me it most certainly would not. <br />The very fact that there are different ways of approaching and interpreting our religious texts, means that we rightly struggle to talk of 'truth' - let alone a universal truth! </p> <p>John Hick's 'The Rainbow of Faiths' explores these issues and includes a picture of refracted light on its cover, visually displaying the beautiful diversity of life. </p> <p>Inter-faith dialogue is, at the moment, dominated by the focus represented in the question: 'How do we relate to other faith communities in love, without compromising our own faith?. </p> <p>I am sure it is possible to engage in interfaith dialogue whilst 'agreeing to disagree'. The individual faith communities can still keep hold of their own exclusivist beliefs - but I have serious questions about how helpful or loving this is. </p> <p>Surely, part of the joy of our relationships and interactions with each other is that we may be <em>changed </em>as a result. Interfaith dialogue which persists in the individuals seeking to keep hold of exclusivist truth-claims does not allow for change. </p> <p>The only reason we seek dialogue 'without compromise' is that we are somehow scared of what it might mean to experience 'change' in our faith and beliefs. This exposes our inner voice which thinks we are right and they are wrong. </p> <p>Obviously there are varying degrees of this - but a persistent desire to avoid compromise with other faiths, only serves to preserve our belief that we hold truth. </p> <p>Personally, I have to understand that my faith is true for me and for those with whom I share and practice my religion. It is also true that within my religion there is not one truth, but a broad spectrum of diverse beliefs. Who am I to say I hold the truth over and above my neighbour? </p> <p>Some would say that God's divine revelation in Jesus the Christ gives us that right, but different faiths and ideologies give different and equally exclusive answers. How do we react to this fact? Should we just become more dogmatic and shout down the claims of others? Or should we take a risk, and ask questions of that exclusivity? </p> <p>All too frequently we see those around us as 'the other' - as unacceptably different from us and as those who do not hold our truth. This inner voice, perpetuated by our exclusive and 'true' beliefs, does have an impact on how we view others. The evidence of our lack of inclusive and diverse openness is all around us and, I believe is the cause of much suffering and pain. </p> <p>Put simply - I pray for the grace to allow my inner voice, my deepest beliefs - to be wrong. <br />Only then may I be open enough to encounter the incredible diversity of the world without seeking to make everyone in my image.</p> Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13249621725873414924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729524103539504778.post-87011197136998786322008-01-03T10:49:00.000+00:002008-11-13T03:44:44.177+00:00Kenya - and the rest of us<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nl6fIO-JPB4/R3y_RUDcOkI/AAAAAAAAABY/UAwnuKcuThU/s1600-h/BesigyeArrestRiots-775490.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5151202377966828098" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nl6fIO-JPB4/R3y_RUDcOkI/AAAAAAAAABY/UAwnuKcuThU/s320/BesigyeArrestRiots-775490.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>For the past few days I have found myself asking – ‘where did this come from?’.<br /><br />Past experience from trips to Zimbabwe has taught me that tribal espousal is not far below the surface in many parts of Africa, but Kenya seemed so settled and successful that I had no idea that the situation was the same in this quiet corner of the globe.<br /><br />I like to think that I pay some attention to world events and that I am not naïve about political undercurrents, but still I have found myself asking ‘where did this come from?’.<br /><br />To be honest I am glad that I am still distressed by media reports of humanities inhumanity. We see it so often that my deepest prayer is that we do not become desensitised by it.<br /><br />Yesterday evening a young woman recounted her escape from the church which was set ablaze, only to have the three year old child she was clutching thrown back in to the burning building.<br /><br />Not much makes me furious – this does.<br /><br />How can someone get so wrapped up in their own struggle for freedom and justice that they seek to destroy those they name as being responsible?<br /><br />Yet again it is those things that divide that prompt our actions: race, class, gender, sexuality and in this case, tribe.<br /><br />Not one of these should ever have such high authority that it leads to senseless and brutal loss of self control. We are far to use to dehumanising those with whom we share little in common and those we know little about. It enrages me – but I pray never enough to prompt me to kill or to stop listening to the voice of ‘the other’.<br /><br />A few years ago I found a poem by Wendell Berry entitled: ‘Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front.’ Not an obvious title and I’ve no idea where I found it, but there is a line and sentiment that has stuck with me since:<br /><br />‘Be hopeful and joyful, though you have considered all the facts’.<br /><br />When I see or suffer humanities horrors, it is this phrase that leaps to mind.<br /><br />I have considered the facts; seen them with my own eyes, experienced them and like all of us, I will go on being confronted with the facts of life, disturbing as they are – yet I remain hopeful. Each confrontation with shocking divisive horrors only serves to makes me more committed to remaining actively and noisily hopeful.<br /><br />Pray for all who face humanities atrocities;<br />that hope and joy will not be lost.</div>Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13249621725873414924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729524103539504778.post-64374924181708532472007-11-03T11:17:00.000+00:002008-11-13T03:44:44.363+00:00Thomas Tallis: Was he gay?I never cease to be amazed at how people react when they discover or even just imagine that another person may be gay.<br /><br />‘The Tudors’ - BBC2’s new historical epic, which is currently exploring the life and loves of Henry VIII, is also delving into the lives of other 16th century characters.<br /><br />Thomas Tallis is quite simply a genius and has left the world with some of the most extraordinarily beautiful music. Imagine then the consternation when the writers choose to explore his potential bisexuality.<br /><br />Blogs have certainly given a voice to the masses and opinions abound! Not least my own.<br />Some have expressed dismay and disappointment, others outright anger and some delight.<br />Even the very idea of Thomas Tallis being gay or bi or anything other than 100% straight has caused much debate.<br /><br />The truth is that no one, not you or I, no historian or geneticist or any other person can tell what Tallis’s sexuality was. Does it make a difference either way?<br /><br />Well for some, yes. For some it undermines his genius and debases his music. For some, even the very idea that he was gay is an affront to his brilliance. Equally ridiculous is my response – that the thought of Thomas being gay raises him in my estimation and gives his music an extra intensity and passion.<br /><br />When will we learn that when we walk down the busy streets or the quiet country lanes, in the halls of Queens or the stairwells of high-rise flats, anyone of the people we meet may be gay.<br /><br />It is becoming ridiculous to me that a person’s sexuality or credit rating or hairstyle or gender or ethnicity, should make the slightest difference to the fact that we are all human.<br /><br />It is becoming clear that sexuality is not about black and white: it is not about clearly definable boxes like gay and straight. Like most things in life, there is a spectrum. This reality will take some getting use to – especially for the man’s man! It is clearly not ‘manly’ to admit to loving a man with slightly more than brotherly love. Whether we admit it or not, we are all on the spectrum of sexuality. So when we walk down the street today, we are passing thousands of people, all of whom express the great variety of sexual preference.<br /><br />This also means that history and all of its named and unnamed characters, form a great cloud of witness to the breadth of sexual diversity. It is naive to think otherwise. The significance for today is not that we have suddenly invented gay-ness or bi-ness, but that we are starting to accept this diversity, not only in our time but in all time.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nl6fIO-JPB4/Ryxa7UXpXNI/AAAAAAAAAAs/UMqoMKanrDQ/s1600-h/EarthBlueMarbleWestTerraSat.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128574050794822866" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nl6fIO-JPB4/Ryxa7UXpXNI/AAAAAAAAAAs/UMqoMKanrDQ/s200/EarthBlueMarbleWestTerraSat.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I very simply want to give thanks for the amazing diversity that we see around us and that we live day by day. I have had enough of making judgements about people, despite knowing that we all do it, and I promise mys<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Nl6fIO-JPB4/RyxaWkXpXLI/AAAAAAAAAAc/wDdzuvd71aU/s1600-h/EarthBlueMarbleWestTerraSat.jpg"></a>elf to see God in all people. Precious, loved and divine. I simply refuse to draw an imaginary line for those who are ‘in’ and those who are ‘out’ – those who are allowed to be part of the world and those who are not. No creed or religion that sets such limits on the inclusive nature of Gods creation is worth a moment’s attention.<br /><br />Jesus, despite the words have been put in to his mouth, made this clear: that God is for all and is in all and will not be boxed in by our cleverly worded limits.<br /><br />This is one world. It is up to us to decide if we wish to live as such.Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13249621725873414924noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729524103539504778.post-60340625392726946742007-09-19T19:43:00.000+01:002008-11-13T03:44:44.626+00:00'Lisa the Iconoclast' - Episode 16, Series 7<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nl6fIO-JPB4/RvFu0a_z0sI/AAAAAAAAAAU/SLe2tWgcNUo/s1600-h/LisaSimpson11.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111988898921435842" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Nl6fIO-JPB4/RvFu0a_z0sI/AAAAAAAAAAU/SLe2tWgcNUo/s200/LisaSimpson11.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div><strong>Fans of ‘The Simpson’s’ will know from the title, that I am following much the same theme here as in my previous post: ‘Who do you think you are?’<br /><br />Today’s episode of The Simpson's was from Series 7, Episode 16 ‘Lisa the Iconoclast’ – in which Lisa discovers that Jebadiah Springfield, the towns cherished founder was in fact a murdering pirate who tried to kill George Washington.<br /><br />Both programs led me to consider the theological balance between the Jesus of History and the Christ of Faith.<br /><br />‘The Simpson’s’ have pushed that thinking forward a bit.<br /><br />When Lisa stands in front of the whole town during the parade, she was unable to tell them the truth of her discoveries - and when asked by the town’s historian why she couldn’t, she replied ‘the myth has value too’. She looked down at her friends and neighbours celebrating and sharing together for the common good of the town, and she found that the myth had a positive and uniting impact way beyond that which the historical truth could offer.<br /><br />In 30 minutes of cartoon existence I would agree with Lisa, that if nothing but good has come from the myth, then go ahead and perpetuate it – but real life is not like that!<br /><br />Pick, for example, Atonement doctrine: the belief that after being created perfect, humanity ‘fell’ and was in need of redemption and thus Jesus was sent to pay the price for our sins, and in his resurrection we find forgiveness.<br /><br />There are those who would say that this theory / myth has a positive impact on the world. I, however, would disagree for a number of reasons and I would much rather we expose this myth to critical biblical analysis and then dethrone its sway over peoples spiritual and psychological selves, as I know how damaging it can be.<br /><br />Whilst I appreciate the pastoral responsibilities of ministers and theologians to Christians in general, and also the difficulties of saying anything theological with too much confidence – I think there has to come a point where the line has been crossed; the line between blind faith based on conjecture and absolute empirical truth – the line between that which informs our experience of God and that which dictates it.<br /><br />How much do we have to learn of the historical Jesus before we will start to adjust our doctrines and liturgies so that we might more closely experience the Kingdom of God?<br /><br />Perhaps I will have to accept that our Christian myths do, for many, give a glimpse of God – as I know that we can only expect to catch a glimpse and I should be thankful for it. I am unsettled because, for me, much of traditional doctrine does not reflect the God of my experience and I want others to share with me, a glimpse of God from within life’s experiences – not doing the opposite by imposing a pre-defined God onto our lives.<br /><br />I am sure we know that we are ultimately talking about and experiencing ‘faith’, and that this is a very individual and personal thing – but we seem to very easily call each other ‘heretics’ when we do not conform and believe exactly the same things.<br /><br />I think that now is the time for Christianity to name those themes that unite and encourage us; those things that build us up and that form the basis of faith in God and in Jesus the Christ. I am rapidly coming to the conclusion that any theory or doctrine that tries to tie down our beliefs, does nothing more than tell us who is ‘in’ and who is ‘out’.<br /><br />Given the inclusive nature of the gospel, I find exclusive pronouncements about the detail of faith to be profoundly un-Christ-like and damaging to the diversity and breadth of humanities experience of the divine.<br /><br />Who said ‘The Simpson’s’ is not theological!!</strong></div>Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13249621725873414924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729524103539504778.post-67952883922767513692007-09-14T12:59:00.000+01:002007-09-14T13:00:46.198+01:00Who do you think you are?Imagine for a moment that, like the actor John Hurt, you believed that you were descended from Irish Nobility. The story has been passed down from generation to generation and instilled into family consciousness and sense of self. So much so that when you place your feet on Irish soil for the first time, you feel an immediate emotional response and attachment to that place of great ancestral meaning.<br /><br />Imagine then, your horror, as his, to discover through ancestral research such as that of ‘Who do you think you are?’ on the BBC, that no such link can be drawn. No Irish lineage can be found.<br /><br />What, I wonder would that do to your sense of self, of your familial self, your heritage upon this earth, your sense of where you have come from and your sense of being grounded in your own skin?<br /><br />Would it, as for John, leave you with a sense of emptiness and grief?<br /><br />Given recent scholarly biblical work in search for the historical Jesus, there are many who cannot marry their new found understanding of Jesus the man of history to the Jesus of faith and religion.<br /><br />The story in faith that has been passed down through history is starting to appear a very long way off the mark.<br /><br />Does this fact, or should this fact alter our faith?<br />Should we amend the story we pass down to more closely match what we suspect to be closer truth?<br />Given the diversity in opinion and theological doctrine, would it even be possible to find a conclusive picture of Jesus – his life, his work, his purpose?<br />Given that we could, I suspect that there would be many for whom the change would be as hard if not much harder than that of John Hurt.<br /><br />We are left with a faith and religion that is likely very far from what Jesus the Christ intended.<br /><br />And yet, in faith, I choose to set my sense of self and of our place in the world, by what little we can solidly assume of scripture. The general sense and principle of the Bible is as a book of the People of God, desperately seeking to name the divine.<br /><br />Christianity has taken on a life of its own, and not even a direct written account of Jesus life proven to be from God’s own hand, would convince all Christ’s followers to give up present doctrine.<br /><br />Philosophical and broad theological debates can do little to shift the average person of faith from their long held believes –yet, it is at the point where our faith directly relates to our life and meaning, that we start to question the relevance and truth of that faith.<br /><br />For my part, as I have explored scripture and doctrine in light of my homosexuality, it is the search for the historical Jesus that has made sense; this is the process of seeking to get beyond the cleverly woven patterns of religious doctrine in order to find Jesus the man and his meaning. I sought this path of study as my faith and my sexuality have been separated. My relationship with God was distant and certain theological understandings had unnecessarily made it so.<br /><br />At this point of direct engagement between my faith and my sense of self, I sought to understand Christ’s message. Having done so in this most precious areas of my life it has, for reasons of integrity, been right to use the same method within all theological themes.<br /><br />Having seen that the faith I was taught is very far from the mark, very far from that which fosters a strong relationship with God; my sense of self was shaken. Having seen the truth, the truth beyond the constructs of doctrine, I sought that same foundation for faith in every point of meeting between faith and life.<br /><br />The truth is that we can never get back to a complete and unpolluted vision of God’s history with humanity, nor of the historical life and times of Jesus, but I pray we may be able to see those things which are wrong and misleading within our history and doctrine, and that we may rejoice in those areas of agreement were life and faith connect.<br /><br />For my part, I continue to seek the historical Jesus and yet I have faith in those immovable common and universal themes which bind all humanity and which, I believe, Jesus came to proclaim in God’s name.<br /><br />The Church is built on faith and faith should never claim to hold ‘the’ truth. We are all different and thus we will all hold different beliefs in faith. God makes God’s self incarnate to each of us in the way that makes sense to us as individuals – in the way that draws us into a closer relationship with God. I am past holding on to creeds and theologies that seek to box God in and I rejoice in the boundless expression of God wherever God dwells with me.<br /><br />It may be a hard reality, but it makes sense to me that God’s incarnate word – the Christ, has never been fully understood or fully named and never will be. His life and his death say enough to each of us to give a glimpse of God, and that glimpse is so bright and so full of love that it is enough.Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13249621725873414924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729524103539504778.post-38273081491498387672007-09-05T22:21:00.000+01:002007-09-05T22:46:29.418+01:00The 1950s Wolfenden ReportHaving just sat and watched BBC 4's programme 'Consenting Adults', which is part of the Beebs coverage of Gay History focusing on the 1950s Wolfenden Report - I felt compelled to make a few remarks.<br /><br />The courage of all those involved in the making of the report was very impressive. Given the era and the legal situation at the time, the honesty and frankness of the report is remarkable. Forgive a moment of righteous anger - but it has struck me as a stinging indictment that it is now only 50 years after the report, that the wide church is taking the matter seriously and acknowledging the pain and suffering of those who still feel that they must hide themselves for fear of coming out.<br /><br />Obviously, the Wolfenden report was to make recommendations of a legal nature and we, as the church, are not doing that. NO. What we are doing is frankly, more serious! We are considering the faith and spiritual life of individuals. We are concerned, in the least condemnatory manner possible, for people's souls and psychological well being. Laws are easy - you either fall within it or without. We can not be so divisive or judgemental with faith - or atleast, I hope not.<br /><br />The second thought (yes, I do have more than 1!), is to realise that both the Wolfenden Report and the Church, insist/ed on the devision between sexual orientation and on practice. Personal I find this bonkers!<br /><br />I have read books written by those gay people who rejoice in their homosexuality but conform to a strict biblical understanding that homosexual acts are evil. This may be flippant - but I do wonder what this does to ones sanity! Seriously, I have grave concerns about the pastoral and psycological well-being of feeling under both internal and external pressure to resist natural sexual urges. How is it possible to accept your sexuality but not to act on it? Obviously there are people who feel called to celebate lives - both homo and heterosexual. That is their choice - but why on earth should a person who does want to be physically sexual feel pressure to resist, just because some other external person doesn't like it!<br />I'm rambling - I'm going to stay with this one - see what others think!<br /><br />These are not well-rounded thoughts - just reflections, so please comment!Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13249621725873414924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729524103539504778.post-6507767591637904052007-09-04T11:41:00.000+01:002007-09-04T13:05:24.647+01:00Commitment on Human SexualityIs it too obvious to say that much of what divides us as Christians on issues of human sexuality is down to Biblical Interpretation? Is this too obvious - and is it even helpful?<br /><br />I have given much thought to this question, mainly because I know that it was and is my understanding of scripture that gives shape to my faith and to my feelings about my sexuality. It is not too obvious to name this because I think we often forget that ultimately it is our understanding of the Bible that dictates our doctrine, our theology and how we understand our humanity and our relationship with the divine.<br /><br /><em>The Nature, Faith and Order of the United Reformed Church</em> affirms that:<br /><br />'the highest authority for what we believe and do is God's Word in the Bible,<br />alive for God's people today through the help of the Spirit.'<br /><br />This is true when we face questions within ourselves as individuals and when we come together to seek the will of God as a Denomination. As a statement it sounds very easy - nice and succinct, but I'm sure we are aware that when we come to scripture to find God's Word we do so with our own agenda and our own intention. Not only do we bring ourselves to scripture but we have to take seriously the fact that we are dealing with letters, poems, songs, 3rd hand accounts, theological constructions, personal opinion and historical contexts - which we will struggle to get beyond. Do we search for the historical Jesus - trying to get back to some idea of the historical reality of the stories we read? Do we search for the Christ of faith - looking for the theological and doctrinal significance of each passage?<br /><br />Simply put - it is not possible to purely open a page of the Bible and read it with complete understanding. If the Christian Church is made up of 1 billion people, then we can be pretty sure that there are 1 billion ways of understanding and approaching scripture.<br /><br />This is what can mildly be called diversity!<br /><br />In the URC's Commitment on Human Sexuality, passed at the 2007 General Assembly - it is this diversity of opinion that is expressed and cherished.<br /><br />This is a hard place to be. Disagreeing with another human being on whatever topic it is you disagree, is not an easy place to stay and most of us, if we are honest, seek to avoid it.<br /><br />I accept that there are people who feel that my sexuality is not suitable for a person of faith - but I don't like it.<br />I revel in our diversity and our difference - but I find it hard.<br />I do believe that we must strive to save our unity and to hold together in the midst of division - but it is painful.<br />As I have said in my letter to Reform a while ago - being Liberal is not easy. My liberality makes a call for me to hold the myriad of opinions as valid and valued which is an almost impossible task and one that has profound psychological and personal consequences.<br /><br />'The Way Forward?' is published by SCM press and edited by Timothy Bradshaw. It is written in response to the St Andrew's Day Statement which forms the basis for much theological thought within the Anglican Church after the difficult discussions at the 1998 Lambeth Conference. The book pulls together the work of a variety of theological thinkers; Gerald Bray, Jeffrey John, Oliver O'Donovan, Elizabeth Stuart, Stephen Sykes, Anthony Thiselton and Rowan Williams.<br /><br />Last night after watching The West Wing and eating ice cream in bed, I looked at Anthony C. Thiselton's contribution entitled 'Can Hermeneutics Ease the Deadlock?' He quite usefully takes each of the major texts in the area of Homosexuality and seeks to explore there meaning for us as we try to hear God's Word. Towards the end of his study he says this:<br /><br />'First, while gay or lesbian sexual acts fall short of the ideal along with, for example, materialism or self-indulgence, we require a more rigorous standard in all these ethical matters from our church officers than from others'.<br /><br />It raises two useful thoughts:<br />1. Do we require a more rigorous standard in all ethical matters from church officers than from others?<br />Surely the point of our journey of faith is that we are all on that journey - church officers, policemen and women, the Queen, the unemployed and the drug addict. I am actually more inclined to follow people who have faced life in all its ups and downs. I see more integrity and respect in a person who is able to say 'I was wrong, I've made a mistake and my life has changed as a result'.<br /><br />2. I most profoundly disagree with that idea that gay or lesbian sexual acts 'falls short of the ideal'.<br />Within the realms of Human Sexuality we do fall short - but not because of the sexuality of the person I choose to have sex with. We 'fall short of the ideal' when we dishonour ourselves and others through sex that is outside of loving, committed and consensual relationships.<br /><br />The point of this - is that as part of the URC's Commitment on Human Sexuality, is the commitment to go on talking and listening and discovering together. I am committing myself to reading and talking and listening widely - to as many voices and opinions as I can.<br /><br />My library contains quite a large number of books from authors whose opinions and understandings I completely disagree with - in some cases they are simply offensive to me as a person. They are in my library, because they broaden my understanding and they help me to see the world through someone elses eyes. I may not like what I see - but I can also find the common ground.<br /><br />I hope that the URC and all it's members - in fact I hope that the church Catholic, can commit to talking and listening with each other about our sexuality. We will not always like what we hear and it may even be very painful for us to hear how others view us - but I pray we will see each other as human beings - each one different and each one loved and valued and created by God.<br /><br />IMPORTANT!<br />I do however, wonder if there is a time and place for individuals to say 'it is to painful'.<br />The process of listening to others does mean being open to hearing those who deem me sinful and evil. There is, I think, a limit to how open we can be to hearing those who profoundly disagree with us.<br />For those who understand scripture as being against homosexuality, it will be painful for them to hear me speak of a God who created me as a gay man.<br />For me to hear those who speak of my need to repent of my homosexuality has been and will continue to be very hard.<br /><br />Is there a limit?<br />Is there a time and place to say - 'for my own sanity and peace and can bear no more?'<br /><br />The answer to this lies with the individual - but I hope and pray they will feel it is OK to stop listening to others and to focus on God's unconditional love. I have been through a time of deep despair when I felt unable to stand back and to give myself space to be me - unjudged.<br /><br />I have learnt that we do need gay men and women to be brave in speaking and listening with others - brave in committing to the URC's process, but the most important thing I have learnt is that it is OK to stop the world and get off.<br /><br />God calls us to be brave - but not to personal destruction.<br />If the Church does feel like a place where you are not welcome - take the time to stand back and to rely on God's grace to build you up again.Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13249621725873414924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729524103539504778.post-73717465789730766692007-06-11T12:09:00.000+01:002007-06-11T12:19:48.398+01:00Communion HymnI love most of the Communion Hymns out there - but there are not that many, so I do get fed up choosing the same few!<br />So I decided to write some new words to the fantastic tune 'Down Ampney' commonly used for the Hymn 'Come down O love divine'.<br />The theme is obviously that of sharing at the Lord's Supper - but it remembers that very often Jesus was the guest and that here at our tables he is the host. The Wee Worship Book from the Iona Community includes a Communion Liturgy which follows much the same theme - one that I have used often and that friends have found very helpful.<br />So I offer it below - as usual, please feel free to use it - but let me know when and where!! Thanks<br /><br />Come! Share this feast with Christ.<br />66 11 D – ‘Down Ampney’ (Come down, O Love Divine)<br /> <br />Come! Share this feast with Christ!<br />Christ, who was always the guest<br />at tables with the rich – the poor he pleaded.<br />Find here a friendly face,<br />hard hands he will embrace<br />and draw you in to freedoms own encounter.<br /><br />Come! Share this feast with Christ!<br />Christ, who was always the guest<br />in homes where deaths dread sting is found to linger.<br />Strength God will find in you!<br />Strength that will make you new<br />and lead you into life in all its fullness.<br /><br />Come! Share this feast with Christ!<br />Christ, who was always the guest<br />in rooms of pain and sickness none would enter.<br />Eyes wide and tears God streams<br />into our wounds and fears,<br />to make us sure that love is heavens answer.<br /><br />Come! Share this feast with Christ!<br />Christ, who invites us as host,<br />and calls us in from all our deepest longing.<br />O Bread and Wine be blessed!<br />Body and blood redressed<br />and shared as grace outpoured for our beginning!<br /><br />Words © Martin Knight – 11th June 2007<br />for Trinity United Church, The Parish of Cheetham, ManchesterMartinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13249621725873414924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729524103539504778.post-28245969859864927712007-04-29T16:34:00.000+01:002008-11-13T03:44:44.803+00:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nl6fIO-JPB4/RjS7f-M38uI/AAAAAAAAAAM/xH-Pukv04LE/s1600-h/pic00778.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5058874439391245026" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Nl6fIO-JPB4/RjS7f-M38uI/AAAAAAAAAAM/xH-Pukv04LE/s320/pic00778.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><p>On a lighter note - I you want to know what faith is, then this public right of way in China should give you a clue!</p><p> </p><p>God who calls,</p><p>give me the strength to follow your way in confidence,</p><p>treading boldly on your path,</p><p>and hold on to you for dear life!</p><p>AMEN</p>Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13249621725873414924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729524103539504778.post-23783930915883180222007-04-29T15:39:00.000+01:002007-04-29T16:31:44.509+01:00Light in DarknessAt a number of services this Easter I have heard preachers say that we can only really experience the joy and amazement of Easter having lived through the horror and darkness of Good Friday.<br /><br />There is something very obvious and true about this thought, but also something that we find so hard to grasp and experience. I feel like I am boardering on the pious when I say that good things often come from bad situations - but it is often the reality and certainly has been for me. It is certainly true that I can only appreciate the brightness of these moments having lived through the bad times. I also feel that I want to be very careful not to undermine the experience of those who never seem to get beyond the dark times - times when the light seems so dim it is barely visible.<br /><br />It is a simple reality, yet also hard to accept, that life is made up of the two - light and dark; times of extreme joy and peace, and times of terrible personal pain and confusion. As with most things in this life of faith, we are left on the fence between these two extemes. I very carefully say that I am thankful for the darkness, otherwise how could I experience radiance?<br /><br />This Easter has been particularly powerful and meaning for me this year. These past few years have been extremely difficult - certainly some of the darkest times of my life. Good Friday has lasted for far longer than normal - leaving me vulnerable, exposed and laid bare for all too see.<br /><br />My rather public breakdown had many causes - not least the constant struggle to unite church and sexuality. I am very clear that I mean 'church' and not 'faith'. The pain of loving the church's potential and yet being so hurt by it's failings is, at times, unbearable. My desperate emotional attempt to leave the church and to hurt myself was the physical expression of the emotional tension - remain in the church and be hurt vs leave and find peace.<br /><br />This is a stark reality and one that is uncomfortable. It seems so unfair to say that the church has hurt me, when I have and continue to be, so cherished by friends and loved ones who are some of the most honest christians I know. And yet there is a pernishous thread, an invisible undercurrent of tension. Ultimately it is this - how do we hold together the opinions of those who's faith is homophobic and biblically based and those who are accepting and biblically based, and how in all of this, do we stop those who are Gay or Lesbian from being torn apart by this tension.<br /><br />We cannot underestimate the depth of this darkness; its lonliness, its potential to undermine the most stable and confident of people. Equally, we can underestimate how difficult it is for the church to see the light - to experience and accept the joyful and profund love that is the Gay community.<br /><br />There are so many candles out there! So many churches and christians who are loving, compassionate and accepting of all God created difference, and whilst we rejoice in these moments of amazing ressurection, we must also remember that countless other enlightening gay christians feel stiffled and voiceless.<br /><br />The pain for me, is that it is one thing to be accepted, it is quite another to be free enough to speak openly about my sexuality and the wonderful things it brings to my life, my loving and my minsitry. 'Accepting' is all to often limited to 'tolerating'.<br /><br />Light in Darkness.<br />It is present. I should know!<br /><br />The problem with the light is that it exposes all that hides in the dark.<br />I can and will no longer accept all those things that have made me feel small and afraid.<br />I will no longer hide in the hidden spaces of Christ's Church - spaces where God's people are only allowed to seek wholeness rather that to grasp it with both hands, spaces where God's people cannot be honest about their pain and joy without being told that it is too uncomfortable to hear.<br /><br />If this sounds like anger - then good - because that is what it is.<br />Unsupressed and joyful loving anger; born from confidence and a passion that God is love and that God's church is a place where all are welcome!<br />I thank God that I have found such suffering in the Church - because I now burn with the passion of all that the church can be!<br /><br />Alleluia! Christ is Risen!<br />He is risen Indeed! Alleluia!<br />Good Friday has not disappeared - but it shines with inestinquishable blaze and exposes all that cheapens and darkens our faith.<br /><br />God bless you all this EasterMartinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13249621725873414924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729524103539504778.post-72731297606647809192007-03-29T17:38:00.000+01:002007-03-29T17:42:38.354+01:00Give of LifeHere is another hymn written back in February 2006.<br />It is written to an original tune which has an odd metre of 66 66 6 - so do please ask me to email an mp3.<br /><br />This is a gentle, urging, joyful song which seeks to explore the church and our humanity within it.<br /><br /><br />Giver of Life, Breath, Love;<br />In you we grow, laugh, die.<br />Holding us firm, Your voice<br />Gives to my heart joys song.<br />Here in the still, we sing!<br /><br />Bringing our hidden lives;<br />All we ourselves shun, despise,<br />We rest them here in peace,<br />Here we will come as friends,<br />Not as a judge condemns.<br /><br />Worship is bliss to us!<br />Space for our hearts to dance,<br />Lifting our souls to you,<br />Praying our world your peace<br />Singing with Christ’s new tune.<br /><br />Sharing this time, we come<br />Not by ourselves alone,<br />But as a church we bring<br />Sacrament, offering;<br />Memory of God shared Wine.<br /><br />Spirit of God, moving,<br />Calling to us, walk, live!<br />Here we respond, give time<br />To hear God’s voice afresh.<br />Spirit of God, we come!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Words © Martin Knight (4th February 2006)<br />Tune: Giver of Life - 66 66 6<br />Music © Martin Knight (4th February 2006)</span>Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13249621725873414924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729524103539504778.post-33220007096222334322007-02-26T15:28:00.000+00:002007-02-26T15:31:47.935+00:00Raise your voice O God!A joyful psalm to God calling to hear God’s voice ever more strongly in our lives.<br />It comes as a cry of love to the Lord and not as a demand from God’s people!<br /><br /><br />Raise your voice O God!<br />Lift us with your song<br />Urge us with your trumpet call<br />Raise your voice O God!<br />We would hear you sing<br />And respond with hearts brought alive.<br /><br />Raise your voice O God!<br />We would hear your word<br />And its call to change and live.<br />Raise your voice O God!<br />Give us ears to hear<br />that your love for us never dies!<br /><br />Raise your voice O God!<br />In the still of night,<br />As I rest each ache of day<br />Raise your voice O God,<br />As the morning breaks<br />And your Glory radiant display.<br /><br />Raise your voice O God,<br />In the shops and streets,<br />In each person that I meet.<br />Raise your voice O God,<br />In my comfort zone<br />And each time I try to retreat.<br /><br />Raise your voice O God,<br />Shout across the world,<br />In each tongue and faith you call.<br />Raise your voice O God,<br />Show us we are one<br />And with you we face heavens goal.<br /><br />Raise your voice O God,<br />Lift us with your song,<br />Urge us with your trumpet call<br />Raise your voice O God,<br />We would hear you sing<br />And respond in love of your tone.<br /><br />Words © Martin Knight 15th February 2006<br />Music © Martin Knight<br />Tune: Cheetham Hill – 557 558Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13249621725873414924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729524103539504778.post-18103233329788239492007-02-26T14:45:00.000+00:002007-02-26T15:01:54.862+00:00God, in whom we have our beingOver the past few years I have been paying much more attention to writing hymns, meditations and other liturgical stuffs - so I will offer them in this section.<br /><br />For most of the hymns I have written the music as well but they will also go to more familiar tunes and metres. If you would like my tunes then just ask and I can e-mail midi and mp3 files.<br /><br />All I ask is that you use the correct acknowledgements in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">OfoS</span> etc and let me know where they have been used - just out of personal curiosity!<br /><br />So, the first one I offer is below. It seeks to explore a personal intimate relationship with God, without using a lot of pious individualistic language that drives me so mad!! It acknowledges our insecurities and seeks to confront them.<br /><br /><br />God, in whom we have our being;<br />guide us as we search for You.<br />In our hidden depths and longings,<br />stirring, You seek out our new.<br /><br />God, by whom we have creation;<br />growing, moving, always fresh,<br />You inspire, confront and call us;<br />breathe for us each morning breath.<br /><br />God, through whom we seek our freedom;<br />searching out the homes of fear.<br />Justice, truth in true repentance:<br />dare us Lord, to hold them dear!<br /><br />God, with whom we cry for friendship;<br />here, we ache for love to lead.<br />Point us in the right direction;<br />facing pain and human need.<br /><br />God, made known in human breathing,<br />turning tables on our sin.<br />Strong compassion, gentle power;<br />from cruel realms, Christ calls us in.<br /><br />God, in whom we have our being,<br />guide us as we search for You.<br />Spirit thrilling to invite us,<br />Christ, stir up your word anew!<br /><br />Words © Martin Knight<br />Music © Martin Knight<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Cornford</span>: 87.87 (Trochaic)Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13249621725873414924noreply@blogger.com1