"Your actions are showing your children that you choose sport over God". It wasn't the sort of conversation I expected at a four year old's birthday party with someone I'd only just met. What had struck me first about her was how like me she looked. Short, sensible hair, glasses, practical fleece jumper and jeans. She initiated the conversation, somehow managing to ask me if I was a Christian within the first few minutes, "Born again?", just to be sure. The discussion was intense, particularly tricky to follow in parts as we were in a large children's soft play warehouse and she was on my right, (the side I am deaf - in case you are wondering, mumps, aged 5, permanent, total hearing loss in one ear, irreversible, no MMR qualms here). I hope I was polite but assertive in my responses as I attempted to defend my faith, choice of husband and parenting. For a rather private introvert it was an unwelcome, uncomfortable intrusion. Fortunately, as the party ended I was able to offer a lift to another parent whose child was on the verge of a meltdown, and make my exit.
Had she picked me to talk to because I look like a Christian? If that's the case, maybe I should start wearing make up, update my wardrobe, perhaps grow my hair again. Let me be clear, I am a Christian, but I am becoming increasingly aware how different my views and priorities seem to be to many other Christians. Where has the compassion gone? What has happened to loving our (global village) neighbours? As Christians, our actions speak louder than our words, but our words, tweets, status updates, page shares all contribute to the message we are giving out about what is important in our lives.
With my judgemental rage on fellow Christians still bubbling, I am also turning increasingly, un-Christianly judgemental on anyone else prepared to voice, what seems to me to be an ill informed, uncompassionate opinion on any current topical issues. For example, flooding and dredging of course, leading on nicely to global warming. Let's throw in immigration and benefits claimants for good measure. My feelings swerve between angry and saddened by people's inability or laziness to sense-check what they read, and to evaluate the political message behind much of what the media churns out. A good example today I read was regarding the terrible flooding the UK is currently experiencing (but nothing as tragic or unimaginable as the Philippines storm devastation or conditions for Syrians trapped in Homs). One paper reported that the Environment Agency only contributed £400,000 to dredging compared to four senior employees earning over £100,000 each. A different paper also reported that the Environment Agency only spent £400,000 on dredging in Somerset, but explained that this was because that was all governmental rules would allow. Same figure, very different emphasis.
Like most things, there isn't a simple, one (head)line answer. Our world and people are complex. You have the amazing internet, use your intelligence and research some of the issues. Get the facts and different viewpoints, weigh them up, make informed decisions, equip yourself to be able to have an educated debate on the subjects you care about but remember your compassion.
Finally to my new found fellow Christian at the party, I admire you for you passion, I hope that perhaps you could also see some of my passion. After the actual words we exchanged are forgotten, what will remain is how you made me feel.
