| Latest from the Ekklesia bookshop: The Bible for Sinners |
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In this book, two experts in biblical and literary studies - including Ekklesia associate Chris Rowland - offer a wide-ranging discussion of what is going on in different types of 'Christian' interpretation.
They consider examples from history, from literature, and from a range of contentious present-day situations. Rather than providing answers, the authors open out the fundamental interpretative questions raised by same-sex relationships, justice in society, religious heresy, and marriage and divorce.
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Ekklesia is an independent member of the Root and Branch Network which includes the following organisations |
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| Radical Theological Education |
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| Size up your carbon footprint |
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| Issue: # 26 |
9 January 2009 |
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| On not being made eyeless in Gaza |
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By Simon Barrow
These days, people are apt to invoke religious injunctions without the faintest attention to their original context or any serious consideration for their underlying meaning.
This applies as much to those who automatically dismiss them (because they take it for granted that nothing reasonable can come out of religion) as it does to those who seek to hide behind them (because they have spotted a chance for pious self-justification).
The difference is that the misuse of religion is usually much more dangerous than its straightforward denial, which is why for the biblical prophets the opposite of 'good faith' was idolatry (believing in something false) not atheism (a refusal of belief).
Here's a prime example. Over the past few days the ancient biblical tradition of lex talionis - "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth" - has been wheeled out on numerous occasions to legitimate in some way or other the appalling cycle of violence in Gaza. Protagonists on both sides have employed it. Read the full article here |
| Repaying violence with violence |
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"The mimetic principle," most developed by René Girard, today captures the attention of psychologists, literary critics, war-and-peace makers, and experts in many disciplines. It builds on the desires and behavior of humans who see something they and their rivals both want. As they follow up, the price exacted by both keeps going up. "Keeping up with the Joneses" is matched by build-ups of negative emotions, strategies and arms. We see this in much of the conflict, including that related to religion, in the world today.
This is most visible among those who react to terrorists who are rooted in and related to Islamic groups. "They" take innocent lives, so "we" should do the same." We have seen that practice in Palestinian/Israeli acts of escalation and vengeance. The question for some is: Should we make a principle out of the "mimetic principle" when dealing with civilians, innocents, mothers and children who are in the path of conflict? Read the full article here |
| Quota |
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Sayings from the week and wisdom from the tradition
"An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind"
- Gandhi
"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' But I tell you, don't resist him who is evil; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also. If anyone sues you to take away your coat, let him have your cloak also. Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two"
- Jesus of Nazareth
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| The week that was |
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 Your sixty second roundup
Gaza dominated the news this week, with many Christian agencies and church leaders joining calls for a ceasefire. Amongst them the World Council of Churches appealed to Christians everywhere to pray for peace and to advocate with their governments for a just peace in Israel and Palestine.
A coalition of major humanitarian, human rights and development organisations, was also joined by Anglican bishops, and called on the European Union to suspend further enhancement of its relations with Israel.
When a short ceasefire did come, the three hours was simply not enough to deliver vital humanitarian aid said Christian Aid and its Gaza based partners. Christians in Gaza issued reports of terrible tragedy and hardship. The director of an Anglican hospital in Gaza said city civilians were stuck in their homes without food and water, unable to seek medical attention - including nurses' injured children. With Israel closing the borders there was nowhere for civilians to go.
But with much international attention focusing elsewhere, Anglican bishops and other church leaders in Southern Africa have been maintaining pressure on dictator Robert Mugabe over the past week, calling for action against the Zimbabwean president.
In the UK too, five Anglican bishops expressed their concern about the impact of government economic and social policies on the most vulnerable. For more on all these and other stories our News Briefing (http://ekklesia.co.uk/content/news/news.shtml) contains the full archive of daily UK and international news, plus features and columns. The page also tells you how you can get Ekklesia's running news on your web site in seconds. |
| The week ahead |
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Next week's agenda
9 Jan - President Mahmud Abbas' term expires; his office argues he should remain in post until January 2010 when legislative council elections are scheduled, and hold presidential election at same time; Hamas argues his mandate runs out
11 Jan - 'Christianity: A History' series begins on Channel 4
12 Jan - UK Parliament returns from recess
12 Jan - 'Climate Rush' hits Heathrow Terminal 1 (Domestic Departures) for a peaceful picnic, includes Christian activists
16-17 Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin visits for talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel expected to cover Russia's gas dispute with Ukraine
18 Jan - Peace Sunday
18 Jan - World Religion Day
18-25 - Week of Prayer for Christian Unity |
| Media and web debate |
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 Ekklesia in the news this week
You can catch Jonathan on BBC Radio 4's PM programme this Saturday at 5.00pm talking about religious broadcasting, and on BBC Radio 4's Sunday Programme at 7.10am discussing the Atheist bus advertising campaign.
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| Event: UK tour of Christian peace activist Gene Stoltzfus |
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Pioneering Christian peace activist and organizer Gene Stoltzfus will be in Britain and Ireland from 16 January 2009, speaking about nonviolent intervention in situations of conflict and injustice. With the tragedy unfolding in Gaza, the trip could not be more timely. The visit is part of a larger tour.
Gene Stoltzfus was the director of the Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) since its founding in 1988 until September 2004. CPT trains and places violence reduction teams in high conflict situations like Iraq, the West Bank, Colombia and various native or indigenous communities in the United States and Canada.
In the Americas, Teams and peacemaker delegations have worked in Chiapas, Vieques, Puerto Rico and Washington DC. Meanwhile, investigative teams have visited Chechnya, Afghanistan, Congo and the Philippines.
Stoltzfus traveled to Iraq immediately before the first Gulf War in 1991 and spent extensive time in Iraq again in 2003, consulting with Muslim and Christian clerics, Iraqi human rights leaders, families of Iraqi detainees and talking with American administrators and soldiers.
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| Thinking in Action |
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| Climate Rush at Heathrow airport this Monday
Christians, including Christian Ecology Link will be amongst those taking part in 'Climate Rush' at Heathrow airport this Monday 12th January.
Climate Rush is inspired by the actions of the Suffragettes 100 years ago, who showed that peaceful civil disobedience could inspire positive change. It aims to raise awareness and challenge the Government over climate change.
On Monday at 7pm the Climate Rush will hit Heathrow Terminal 1 (Domestic Departures) for a peaceful picnic.
People will arrive in Edwardian dress (under a big coat!) with hampers of food to have a 'Dinner at Domestic Departures'. It will take place on the day that the MPs return from their winter recess to Parliament.
When the string quartet plays its first note campaigners plan to reveal their dress and share their food. Hundreds are expected to attend
RSVP to join Christian Ecology Link at Climate Rush here: ruth@sjarman11.wanadoo.co.uk
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Reading Allowed |
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 Bethlehem Speaks: Voices from the little town cry out by Garth Hewitt
Garth Hewitt travels to the Holy Land to uncover the story of the 'living stones', the forgotten faithful.
As the Holy Land is home to three faiths, he tells of peacemakers from Christian, Jewish and Muslim communities and of those who are not necessarily religious.
We find that the 'little town of Bethlehem' has shrunk in the last few years without people even noticing; that there has been ethnic cleansing of the indigenous community and a struggle for human rights; that an amazingly resilient community can take no more and that its raw wound is an indication of the lack of balance and wisdom in the way the West has responded to the cry for justice.
The volume ends with a look at why fundamentalists claim the Holy Land and suggests that there might be another way forward.
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