It is obvious that there is a lot of anger and fear around that is contributing an increase polarisation. As a follower of Jesus, I feel compelled to respond by seek to bring healing into the current epidemic of hurt and pain. I therefore offer a few thoughts that I hope you find helpful.
Firstly, let us not make individuals representative of a whole community. A Sikh criminal doesn’t mean all Sikhs are criminals. A single terrorist who claims to be a Muslim doesn’t mean that all Muslims are out to undermine society. An individual with Autism who does something evil doesn’t mean we have to be cautious of all who are Autistic. The list goes on. If someone from your community did something horrendous you wouldn’t want others to feel that you are somehow to blame or even feel you have to apologies and distance yourself from someone you do not know and have not even met. Don’t treat others differently than you would want to be treated.
Secondly, let us seek to continually seek to be looking for truth behind sensational headlines. Awful things happen in the world, in our nation and in our town. It is the result of the fall. We need to join our God in lamenting the state of the world, the state of our nation. It is not how God intended to be, it is not how it will be in the future because God is bringing in a new heaven and a new earth where there will be no more crying, no more pain, no more tears, he will make all things new. The awful things are done not just by one type of person, not just by immigrants or ethnic minorities but by all sorts of people, even by people like you and I. However, the crimes of some sections of our communities are given greater profile than others. This can give a distorted view. Let us not fall for it, let us not magnify the crimes of one section of society over others.
Let us join with God in bringing in His new kingdom, by reaching out to others who are different from ourslves, showing solidarity with others, those who feel unsafe and unwelcome because of the actions of people they have nothing to do with.
Tony Thompson
Elder of Hope Church, Luton
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