Blog 19 --Religion in the Public Schools
The last two blogs featured discussions about ethical dilemmas that were generated and discussed in the framework of WorldViews Collaborative (WVC). Though I have already briefly introduced this organization two posts ago, let me elaborate a bit more.
WVC’s main mission at the moment is to promote the teaching about religions and worldviews in the BC public schools. I mention both “religions” and “worldviews,” for at least one group represented does not view itself as a religion so much as a worldview. I refer to the Humanist members, who also describe themselves as Atheists. While in our time Christians and Atheists are engaged in a pretty fierce battle, especially in books, journals and magazines, the members of WVC respect each other and their views, sometimes discuss them, but always amicably. This does not mean that we are lukewarm regarding our individual world views. In fact, we are all quite adamant and convinced within our own minds of the truth and value of our beliefs. None of us are world view slouchers. (From here on, I will avoid repetition of the term “religions and world views” by simply using “world views” to cover both of them.)
However, it came to the attention of the Atheist founder(s) of WVC that the people of BC do not really know much about what makes us all tick or what different people find important in their lives. Our public schools don’t help us in this regard, for religion is taboo there. Our schools are secular. Punkt. Religion has no place there. The system is said to be “pluralistic” and “neutral.” It emphasizes what we all have in common and ignores what separates us. As a result neighbours don’t know their neighbours; public school pupils don’t know each other either.
Nevertheless, according to these founders, though no worldview is overtly taught in our public schools, there is a strong Christian bias that permeates the school culture at the disadvantage of other worldviews, including Humanism. Of course, they are not the first to have noticed this. Especially at Christmas time, non-Christians often feel marginalized in our Public Schools and will either complain in the press or to their local school boards. It happens every year.
So, the solution that occurred to these Humanist friends of mine—yes, we have become good friends!—is to find a way to promote the teaching about all major world views in BC—Christian, Humanist, Atheist, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Muslim, all of them—in the Public School system. The purpose is not to convert anyone or to proselytize, but simply to present the main contours of each world view in an objective manner as information, so that pupils of different world views will get to know each other better, also later as adults.
Rabbi Dennis Prager once blamed certain “liberals” who are in charge of the system, apparently “liberals” of a different stripe from those who founded WVC as follows:
Liberals… are always talking about pluralism, but that is not what they mean. They mean “melting-pot.” Pluralism… means that Catholics are Catholics, Jews are Jews, Baptists and Baptists, etc. That’s what pluralism means—everyone affirms his values and we all live with civic equality and tolerance. That’s my dream. But in public school, Jews don’t meet Christians. Christians don’t meet Hindus. Everybody meets nothing. That is… why their children so easily inter-marry. Jews don’t marry Christians. Non-Jewish Jews marry non-Christian Christians. Jews for nothing marry Christians for nothing. They get along great because they both affirm nothing. They have everything in common—nothing. That’s not pluralism. But that’s exactly what the liberal world wants. They want a bunch of secular universalists with ethnic surnames. (Quoted by Paul Marshall in A. Van Ginkel, ed., Shaping a Christian Vision for Canada. Markham: Faith Today Publications, 1992, p. 20.)
So, the point of WVC is to make the citizens of BC aware of their differences as well as commonalities, so that we can know each other better. My neighbour to know what makes me tick and vice versa. Pupils will come to realize that these different world views represent deep depositories and traditions of truths and insight from which we can all obtain greater wisdom, even if we do not agree with all we hear. The various colourful parades and other events are not just “funny” things that Indians or Pakistanis do, but they represent depths of thought that would never have occurred to us. This project will hopefully take away the shrouds of secrecy and mystery with which we surround ourselves and remove the ignorance with which we observe each other. Exchange fear with respect and interest; suspicion with challenging dialogue.
For reasons I do not quite comprehend, the founder, retired Professor Ernest Poser of UBC and, before that, McGill, somehow found me and judged me a suitable candidate for this project. Perhaps he fell upon my website (www.SocialTheology.com ). But I am glad he invited me, for I have enjoyed meeting this inter-religious group tremendously. For one thing, I have noticed that not all liberals, Humanists, Atheists and secularists are the same. There are tolerant ones amongst them, very gracious and compassionate. I write a lot about adherents to that world view and often quite vociferously. When these friends read my writings, I want them to know that my frustrations with their co-liberals are not aimed at them, especially not personally. Of course, the deep differences and disagreements remain, but we enjoy each other’s company. Poser and I especially enjoy our occasional souperamas either in our homes or in restaurants, during which we engage each other in great discussions. Thank you, Ernest!--as well as you, Kathy and Eric.
Showing posts with label Muslims. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Muslims. Show all posts
Friday, October 8, 2010
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Qur'an Burning Condemned
This is a new blog that has not yet established a reputation sufficient to draw many readers at this point. I trust this will develop as time goes on. Nevertheless, rather than re-inventing my own wheel, I hereby pass on to you the statement from Barnabas Aid condemning the plans of an American church to publicly burn the Qur’an. Barnabas is a British-based international organization that ministers to oppressed Christians the world over. It is currently busy collecting money for Pakistani Christian flood victims. See < www.barnabasaid.org >.
Though I might have said it somewhat differently, I wholeheartedly support the main thrust of this statement. I herewith go on record as strongly opposing the burning plan. Furthermore, I urge American authorities to stop this deranged church from engaging in a project that is sure to further enflame anti-Christian, anti-Western and anti-American emotions among Muslims everywhere, including Americans. It is almost sure to lead to bloody riots, loss of lives and destruction of properties. It flies flat in the face of Christian attempts to promote a more positive image of Christ among Muslims. Though I fully support and insist on freedom of speech and expression, I do not support extreme forms of it that seem calculated to cause violence and bloodshed.
Here, then, the Barnabas statement:
Qur’an burning: “an unnecessary, offensive and dangerous gesture”
Barnabas Aid statement on the proposed burning of Qur’ans in Florida
A church in Gainsville, Florida, USA, the Dove World Outreach Centre, has announced that it will burn copies of the Qur’an on Saturday September 11 to mark the ninth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. The stated purpose of this action is to raise awareness of the ideology and teaching of Islam and to warn against its dangers.
Barnabas Aid condemns the proposed action, for the following reasons:
1. Barnabas Aid is fully committed to making known the aspects of Islam that result in injustice and oppression of non-Muslims, not least the persecution of Christians. But we believe that the biblical and Christ-like way to do this is by speaking the truth in the power of God’s love, and by extending that love to Muslim people even when they are hostile to us. In that context it can never be justified to destroy a book that Muslims regard as sacred, however firmly and profoundly we may disagree with its contents.
2. The effect of the proposed action on Christians in Muslim-majority contexts is likely to be extremely serious. Already Muslim militants in Indonesia have promised to kill Indonesian Christians if Qur’ans are burned in Florida, and the history of anti-Christian violence in the country suggests that this is not an idle threat. Barnabas partners in Iraq have expressed concern at the probable Muslim backlash against an already beleaguered Iraqi Church. And Christians in numerous other places who live in daily fear of potentially deadly attacks will at once be placed in much greater danger. It cannot be right to exercise our freedom to protest in a way that puts at risk the lives of our brothers and sisters, for whom Christ died.
3. There is a further risk that Christian minorities may be divided among themselves as churches with links to the West come to be unfairly associated with the action taken in Florida and its destructive consequences. It is important for Christians under pressure to be united, as their division serves only to weaken the Church and increase its vulnerability to Muslim attacks. It is therefore wholly inappropriate to undermine that unity for the sake of an unnecessary, offensive and dangerous gesture.
For these reasons Barnabas Aid urges the Dove World Outreach Centre and its supporters to refrain from burning Qur’ans on the anniversary of 9/11. It invites all Christians instead to join with us in prayer for our persecuted brothers and sisters throughout the world, and that the hatred and violence that endanger them may be overcome by the grace and love of Christ.
Dr Patrick Sookhdeo
International Director
Barnabas Aid
September 7, 2010
PS--I have published a statement on the same subject on my Companion Blog. That one is published by the Christian Reformed Church, the denomination to which I belong. The term "Reformed" is another word for "Calvinism."
Though I might have said it somewhat differently, I wholeheartedly support the main thrust of this statement. I herewith go on record as strongly opposing the burning plan. Furthermore, I urge American authorities to stop this deranged church from engaging in a project that is sure to further enflame anti-Christian, anti-Western and anti-American emotions among Muslims everywhere, including Americans. It is almost sure to lead to bloody riots, loss of lives and destruction of properties. It flies flat in the face of Christian attempts to promote a more positive image of Christ among Muslims. Though I fully support and insist on freedom of speech and expression, I do not support extreme forms of it that seem calculated to cause violence and bloodshed.
Here, then, the Barnabas statement:
Qur’an burning: “an unnecessary, offensive and dangerous gesture”
Barnabas Aid statement on the proposed burning of Qur’ans in Florida
A church in Gainsville, Florida, USA, the Dove World Outreach Centre, has announced that it will burn copies of the Qur’an on Saturday September 11 to mark the ninth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. The stated purpose of this action is to raise awareness of the ideology and teaching of Islam and to warn against its dangers.
Barnabas Aid condemns the proposed action, for the following reasons:
1. Barnabas Aid is fully committed to making known the aspects of Islam that result in injustice and oppression of non-Muslims, not least the persecution of Christians. But we believe that the biblical and Christ-like way to do this is by speaking the truth in the power of God’s love, and by extending that love to Muslim people even when they are hostile to us. In that context it can never be justified to destroy a book that Muslims regard as sacred, however firmly and profoundly we may disagree with its contents.
2. The effect of the proposed action on Christians in Muslim-majority contexts is likely to be extremely serious. Already Muslim militants in Indonesia have promised to kill Indonesian Christians if Qur’ans are burned in Florida, and the history of anti-Christian violence in the country suggests that this is not an idle threat. Barnabas partners in Iraq have expressed concern at the probable Muslim backlash against an already beleaguered Iraqi Church. And Christians in numerous other places who live in daily fear of potentially deadly attacks will at once be placed in much greater danger. It cannot be right to exercise our freedom to protest in a way that puts at risk the lives of our brothers and sisters, for whom Christ died.
3. There is a further risk that Christian minorities may be divided among themselves as churches with links to the West come to be unfairly associated with the action taken in Florida and its destructive consequences. It is important for Christians under pressure to be united, as their division serves only to weaken the Church and increase its vulnerability to Muslim attacks. It is therefore wholly inappropriate to undermine that unity for the sake of an unnecessary, offensive and dangerous gesture.
For these reasons Barnabas Aid urges the Dove World Outreach Centre and its supporters to refrain from burning Qur’ans on the anniversary of 9/11. It invites all Christians instead to join with us in prayer for our persecuted brothers and sisters throughout the world, and that the hatred and violence that endanger them may be overcome by the grace and love of Christ.
Dr Patrick Sookhdeo
International Director
Barnabas Aid
September 7, 2010
PS--I have published a statement on the same subject on my Companion Blog
Friday, May 29, 2009
You, the Image of God!
Post 6
Genesis 1:27 So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
The image of God is prominent in the chapter from which you have been reading so often these days. It is something you are created with. Let’s take a closer look at it.
First, note how it is emphasized. In verse (vs) 26 we overhear God planning to “make man in our image, in our likeness.” “Image” and “likeness” mean the same thing here. Then, in vs. 27 God carried out His plan and again the same terms are used. Obviously, this image stuff is something very important.
Secondly, note that there is no clear definition of this image here. This is true also for the rest of the Bible. The Bible is not a dictionary or a book of definitions. It is the Book of Life! Of Reality, not of arid definitions. This does not mean that we cannot glean its meaning from the Bible, something to which I will return soon in another blog.
Thirdly, note the great honour involved in having the image of God imprinted upon you. I suspect that most people reading these blogs are average people without much power or wealth. Just imagine: you, an average, ordinary citizen, maybe not even a citizen, you carry within yourself the image of the Most High of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, of your Creator. That is no small thing about you!
You may be average or even less than average, but listen. Get this straight! It is not the fact that you are average and either relatively or wholly powerless that defines you, that is the most important thing about you. It is the image of God in you that defines you and determines your status. You have every reason to lift up your head and stand tall and straight. You are somebody! You are important. Don’t belittle yourself as a useless, powerless or poor person and therefore helpless. The image of God in you!
Bearing this image is not the privilege of a select group of people. We make class distinctions; God does not. We honour some and despise others. Some are considered great, while others are despised as small. Throughout human history, the rich and powerful use the poor and powerless for their own purposes.
The problem is that many poor people not only agree that they are poor, but also that they are powerless—and therefore they are powerless. We think ourselves into that status and therefore we acquiesce, we give in and let the powerful get away with it. Nigerian villagers often give in and even go further by belittling themselves as illiterates and mere talakawa (Hausa language term for the poor, powerless and largely disenfranchised.It took an Abraham Kuyper to liberate the same class of people called "kleine luyden" in The Netherlands. These talakawa and kleine luyden everywhere tend to honour and bow before the very people who despise and oppress them.
Wake up! Your are created in the image of the Most High. You deserve respect and honour as much as anyone. Maybe you have no wealth or power, but you carry that image. That realization should make you rise and stand tall; it can transform you into the person you are designed to be.
In closing, just a comment about Muslim reaction to the powerful concept of the image of God in us. They outrightly reject it—or so they think. I hope to address that soon in my other blog < Chrismus—ChristiansAndMuslims >, where I will show that perhaps what they reject is not the genuine concept but a distorted version of it. If you are a Muslim, please keep an eye on that blog for an explanation geared to you.
Genesis 1:27 So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
The image of God is prominent in the chapter from which you have been reading so often these days. It is something you are created with. Let’s take a closer look at it.
First, note how it is emphasized. In verse (vs) 26 we overhear God planning to “make man in our image, in our likeness.” “Image” and “likeness” mean the same thing here. Then, in vs. 27 God carried out His plan and again the same terms are used. Obviously, this image stuff is something very important.
Secondly, note that there is no clear definition of this image here. This is true also for the rest of the Bible. The Bible is not a dictionary or a book of definitions. It is the Book of Life! Of Reality, not of arid definitions. This does not mean that we cannot glean its meaning from the Bible, something to which I will return soon in another blog.
Thirdly, note the great honour involved in having the image of God imprinted upon you. I suspect that most people reading these blogs are average people without much power or wealth. Just imagine: you, an average, ordinary citizen, maybe not even a citizen, you carry within yourself the image of the Most High of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, of your Creator. That is no small thing about you!
You may be average or even less than average, but listen. Get this straight! It is not the fact that you are average and either relatively or wholly powerless that defines you, that is the most important thing about you. It is the image of God in you that defines you and determines your status. You have every reason to lift up your head and stand tall and straight. You are somebody! You are important. Don’t belittle yourself as a useless, powerless or poor person and therefore helpless. The image of God in you!
Bearing this image is not the privilege of a select group of people. We make class distinctions; God does not. We honour some and despise others. Some are considered great, while others are despised as small. Throughout human history, the rich and powerful use the poor and powerless for their own purposes.
The problem is that many poor people not only agree that they are poor, but also that they are powerless—and therefore they are powerless. We think ourselves into that status and therefore we acquiesce, we give in and let the powerful get away with it. Nigerian villagers often give in and even go further by belittling themselves as illiterates and mere talakawa (Hausa language term for the poor, powerless and largely disenfranchised.It took an Abraham Kuyper to liberate the same class of people called "kleine luyden" in The Netherlands. These talakawa and kleine luyden everywhere tend to honour and bow before the very people who despise and oppress them.
Wake up! Your are created in the image of the Most High. You deserve respect and honour as much as anyone. Maybe you have no wealth or power, but you carry that image. That realization should make you rise and stand tall; it can transform you into the person you are designed to be.
In closing, just a comment about Muslim reaction to the powerful concept of the image of God in us. They outrightly reject it—or so they think. I hope to address that soon in my other blog < Chrismus—ChristiansAndMuslims >, where I will show that perhaps what they reject is not the genuine concept but a distorted version of it. If you are a Muslim, please keep an eye on that blog for an explanation geared to you.
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