Extremist Muslim protests; concern at what is viewed as the Islamification of the UK; rising nationalism; a British National Party election campaign; economic crisis causing a “British jobs for British people” campaign; attempts to safeguard the Christian heritage of Britain; derision of “multiculturalism” and political correctness; and competing claims on “Englishness” – all these are strands in ferment that we are experiencing at the moment.
www.ReconciliationTalk.com is at home here in Luton, a place where all the above strands come into focus, and is following the action, analysing trends and seeking to brings its own wisdom from the teaching of Jesus to the table.
I am especially interested in what Englishness is today, and how our Christian heritage works itself out in multicultural Britain. My own experience is that my love and appreciation of all that God has made me to be is enhanced as I embrace what he has made others to be. This certainly goes contrary to most ideas.
Recent posts include:
March 11th Reporting Luton: strengthening the stereotype?
March 12th Praying and working for the peace of this city (1)
March 17th Praying andworking for the peace of Luton (2)
March 26th Luton to be a focus for rising Islamophobia and Nationalism?
March 30th Peace in Luton but ....
April 5th It was not an April fool! What would Jesus vote?
April 5th An African on Englishness
April 17th Starting over again by listening to Lionheart and friends.
April 27th Christianity and Nationalism: Hearing but not agreeing
May 4th Celebrating Carnival, Celebrating Diversity
May 5th Sick: Mosque set on fire in Luton
May 7th Leaders of all faiths in Luton condemn Mosque fire
May 7th Figures that challenge sterotypes bigtime
May 8th Luton: Imam appeals for racial harmony
May 24th Christians and Muslims call for Peace in Luton
( context / slight mention True love of one's enemy and No more enemies? )
May 25th This is what happened in Luton yesterday
May 26th Luton: not one march but three!
May 27th Two ways for Luton and England.
June 2nd So what is happening in Luton?
June 8th Luton: Three Months in the News and an election over. What now?
(context Yes, but ... and What I learnt from my stay with a Muslim family: David Cameron:
June 14th Fear and hatred on the streets of Luton??
June 21st Al-Muhajiroun, their aliases, Luton and London
July 8th Islamophobia: troubling developments and the Luton connection.
Aug 21st Luton demos by EDL and associates banned by Home Secretary.
Aug 27th Sharing differences & discovering common purpose and friendship during Ramadan in Luton
Aug 30th Luton: Riot police break up mob
Aug 31st Luton troubles - the action and some first thoughts
Sept 1st Luton. Lets take time out to talk. PLEASE.
Sept 6th Luton & Birmingham: Freedom of speech or freedom to riot?
Sept 12th Harrow & John Denham's quest to understand the EDL
Sept 20th A quiet day in Luton and a mark of hope.
Oct 27th All has been quiet at ReconciliationTalk, but the problems have not gone away.
Dec 1st Who won the day in Bury Park yesterday?
Dec 2nd So where's the story?
Dec 4th Blogging from Bury Park
Dec 7th Baroness Warsi on "My Week"!
and check more recent posts.
Comments