Frustration mixed with Hope!

Frustration

In Dunedin attached to the Early Settlers Museum there are two big glass "cabinets". Each one houses a steam engine, one called Josephine, (1872) and the other JA 1274. They are safely kept out of the weather, behind glass walls, sitting there for tourists to gawk at. On a bike ride a couple of weeks ago I came across a train enthusiast, near a train crossing while I was risking life and limb to photograph a passing train. We got talking, as you do, and he said it was "criminal" to have these two gorgeous machines sitting there stationary, unable to fire up. He is not alone. Many have said that such vintage machines such as cars and engines should be able to do what they are designed for. They should be able to have a full head of steam, to hiss and roar, and move as they were designed. They should not just be locked up as stationary exhibits.

I have come to the conclusion that many Christians (perhaps even the majority of them) are "Josephine Christians". They just sit behind glass cabinets looking good! But that is not what they are meant for. They are meant to be let loose in the world with a passion for making a difference in love. But they choose to just sit in Churches looking good, or may just "believe" from a distance. Their core values are often still the materialism and consumerism of the world about them, with a little bit of religion on the side.

My difficulty is that I have to preach to these Christians. I look at the Bible readings for the day and to someone who is following Jesus they are inspiring, challenging and fortifying. But as I think about the "Josephine Christians" I think, "What's the use in spelling out the meaning in this passage? It means nothing if you are sitting still! It is only real, relevant and comes alive when you are moving, trying to make a difference or actually out there beyond the glass cabinet seeking to express the way of Jesus." But "Josephine Christians" just want dusted and polished from time to time, and efforts to "fire them up" or "get up a head of steam" just wash over them.... "there's poor idealistic David ranting about stuff again." Nearly every week I ask myself, "Why waste my efforts? They really don't want to move. Their idea of Christianity and mine is just so different! It's like trying to teach people who don't want to fish, to fish." It bores the hell out of them, and the fish are safe! While jogging past the two steam engines I came up with a fantasy story. 

Mr Brown was a coal merchant in Dunedin town. While driving past the Early Settlers Museum, he noticed two steam engines. Business was going well, he was feeling generous, so he drove his truck to his yard and filled it with coal. "They are steam engines," he said, "they could use some coal I am sure!" He drove his big truck to the lawn outside the cabinets and tipped the tons of coal on the lawn. "They will be so surprised, they have free coal for their steam engines." he said with a satisfied grin on his face. The museum manager was surprised, she rushed to the telephone and rang the police! "There's a man dumping coal on my lawn!" she yelled. The Police rang Psychiatric Services and they all rushed to the scene. "Why are you dumping coal on my lawn?" the manager yelled at Mr Brown. "Why indeed?" said the policeman looking stern.  Mr brown pointed to the steam engines and said with a smile on his face, " They need it! They are steam engines, they need coal to run! It's free, I'm giving it to you!" Pulling at her hair, the manager screamed at Mr Brown, "No they don't! They just sit there!" "But they're steam engines" protested Mr Brown, looking puzzled. "You're a vandal and you're disturbing the peace!" said the policeman. The Psychiatrist looked patronisingly at Mr Brown, "It's inappropriate to give these engines coal, you're delusional, come with us and we'll talk about this." As they led Mr Brown away you could hear him still protesting, "B-b-but they're steam engines? They need coal!" "No they don't!" the policeman repeated, "They just sit there!" 

Most Sunday's this Rev. Brown feels like a delusional fool expecting "Christians" to actually be following Jesus. "They just sit there."

Hope.... Charter for Compassion

I recall listening to a TED talk by Karen Armstrong in which she talked about a Charter for Compassion. Well I read in the paper that it is happening and I find it exciting. She pointed out that some version of the "Golden Rule" ("Do to others what you would have them do to you.") is a feature of all the main religions. Why can't we have a unifying charter that all religious people can accept and also make it acceptable to those of no religious affiliation? To Karen Armstrong compassion is "not the feeling of good will or pity but the principled determination to put ourselves into the place of another." Here is the charter:

Charter for Compassion

The principle of compassion lies at the heart of all religious, ethical and spiritual traditions, calling us always to treat all others as we wish to be treated ourselves. Compassion impels us to work tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of our fellow creatures, to dethrone ourselves from the centre of our world and put another there, and to honour the inviolable sanctity of every single human being, treating everybody, without exception, with absolute justice, equity and respect.

It is also necessary in both public and private life to refrain consistently and empathically from inflicting pain. To act or speak violently out of spite, chauvinism, or self-interest, to impoverish, exploit or deny basic rights to anybody, and to incite hatred by denigrating others—even our enemies—is a denial of our common humanity. We acknowledge that we have failed to live compassionately and that some have even increased the sum of human misery in the name of religion.

We therefore call upon all men and women ~ to restore compassion to the centre of morality and religion ~ to return to the ancient principle that any interpretation of scripture that breeds violence, hatred or disdain is illegitimate ~ to ensure that youth are given accurate and respectful information about other traditions, religions and cultures ~ to encourage a positive appreciation of cultural and religious diversity ~ to cultivate an informed empathy with the suffering of all human beings—even those regarded as enemies.

We urgently need to make compassion a clear, luminous and dynamic force in our polarized world. Rooted in a principled determination to transcend selfishness, compassion can break down political, dogmatic, ideological and religious boundaries. Born of our deep interdependence, compassion is essential to human relationships and to a fulfilled humanity. It is the path to enlightenment, and indispensable to the creation of a just economy and a peaceful global community. 

Charter for Compassion is the link where you can personally affirm the charter.

Ian Harris writes a column in the Otago Daily Times which drew my attention to it.

I am hoping to get my Church congregation to adopt it as basic to our Church life. I could be delusional, they might "just sit there". Watch this space. I think it's great!