tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2455062295291252427.post4768707672308945125..comments2023-08-01T10:08:58.388+02:00Comments on Keeping Up ... with the Joneses: Tramped upon for exercising freedom of speechSteven Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08152927209644414146noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2455062295291252427.post-6862990130413376192010-05-29T08:08:12.398+02:002010-05-29T08:08:12.398+02:00Hi Steve,
obviously I am not aware of the reality ...Hi Steve,<br />obviously I am not aware of the reality of life where you are but I do believe that to some degree over here in Britain there is a great amount of silliness when it comes to the whole race issue.<br />There has been quite a thing in recent weeks saying that the police are banning the wearing of England shirts in public houses - the general comments say it is because they might be offensive to other people - I think the reality if it were true is that they are trying to reduce the yobbish behaviour that sometimes goes with the 'football fan'.<br />I do believe that the question you raise is much broader than just the language issue - I went to a funeral at a Roman Catholic Church some years ago and hadn't got a clue what was going on, didn't know when to sit or stand and felt very awkward. The second one I went to at a different Catholic church I was given a little book that had pictures of what to do at the various stages.<br />I worry about baptisms at our church because a family who may never come to church (but great aunt Maud did) turn up and we stick them at the front and then wonder why when they don't sit or stand in the right places - a little guidance is always helpful.<br />In respect of questioning I think we should - all too often the status quo exists because someone thinks it is in the rules that we do things in a certain way. We have some folk who really believe a service should not last longer than an hour and they think it is in the rule book.<br />I will challenge and ask questions whenever I don't know or understand why something is done in a particular way and hopefully get others thinking about it.<br />I would say keep up the good work - it is always difficult sticking your head over the parapet but I believe Jesus would be doing exactly the same.Fat Prophethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05180456857091238743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2455062295291252427.post-76385434368343996782010-05-28T11:53:11.835+02:002010-05-28T11:53:11.835+02:00Hi FP
I'm glad you raised the Welsh example -...Hi FP<br /><br />I'm glad you raised the Welsh example - it means you understand where I'm coming from. However, as I work through this whole issue, I'm coming to understand how sensitive issues of language and culture can be - although having been part of a Welsh male voice choir, I can also appreciate how touchy the Welsh can be ablut language at times!<br /><br />Given South Africa's histor, unfortunately good intentions are too easily interpreted through "racist" filters. Ironically, it seems that the Church is lagging behind the world on this one - I certainly never encountered as much racial tension in the corporate world as I have since entering ministry.<br /><br />The reality, though, is that we are not all the same - we can never be one, homogenous culture. For instance, my 12 year-old son will dance at the drop of a hat, whereas you couldn't get me to dance if you paid me - and we are of the same flesh and blood! This means that one needs to ask questins in order to understand the "other side" - and I need to acknowledge that such questions may be uncomfortable and threatening to some.<br /><br />Thanks for your input.<br /><br />Regards,<br />StevenSteven Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08152927209644414146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2455062295291252427.post-46488247581960272732010-05-28T08:36:09.836+02:002010-05-28T08:36:09.836+02:00I can not see how you can be accused of hate speec...I can not see how you can be accused of hate speech and racism by raising what I believe to be a valid point.<br />In my experience of going to a Welsh speaking chapel on a number of occasions they have always been aware that some of us did not speak Welsh and ensured that they explained (where necessary) what was going on in English. They also did their sermon in both Welsh and English and changed two of the hymns so that we didn't sing them all in Welsh.<br />I really do think this meant that we emjoyed the service far more than if it had been totally in Welsh.<br />We had previously been to the parish church where the service was in English but was sung matins and we hadn't got a clue what was going on - but sadly no assistance from the front was forthcoming.Fat Prophethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05180456857091238743noreply@blogger.com