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10/13/2002 Entry: "Celebrating diversity"

It's been a weekend of blessing for me. Last night my college pal Chris made the journey down from Birmingham to lead a Circuit missions event here, "What does it mean to be British?" Actually, it was a double blessing - the first, because it was an excellent and thought-provoking evening, the second, because I haven't seen Chris in 7 years, and it was great to renew a friendship.The question which Chris posed for us was essentially whether cultural diversity is something to be cherished and celebrated, or feared and resisted. This is perhaps the hottest political hot potato in Britain today, and it was good to have the opportunity to explore the issues involved.One of his most useful starting points for me was the Biblical command to "love the stranger", a command which it is all too easy to forget or ignore. Caring for strangers can be uncomfortable, feels dangerous and very often leaves us feeling like we should "stick with our own kind". Finding friendship with strangers is the key, for friendship does not demand that "they" become like "we". It does not squash the difference, the distinctiveness, of individuals and communities, but celebrates those differences and is strengthened by them. If ever there was a time for friendship across racial, cultural and religious barriers it is now. Prejudices can only grow when "the others" are kept at a distance and regarded only in the abstract - "Muslims" "Jews" "Arabs" "Blacks" and all the rest are too often the labels we use to name our fears. But crossing the boundaries, if we dare, leads to the discovery that here are people much like "us" driven by the same desires, anxieties and hopes. Behind every label lies a potential friend. But first we have to cross the boundary and offer a hand.

Quote of the day:

God hates blancmange, but loves fruit salad