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Our celebration of culture and diversity last night, in support of our partner village in Southern Bangladesh, took on an entirely new meaning in the wake of the London bombings of the past week. The spectre of terrorism rises again, with its invitation to mistrust one another on the basis of belief or appearance. As we celebrated with eleven different cultural dishes in the meal, and a similarly diverse community gathered together to eat, we were invited to recognise the beauty that comes from difference, and yet the common humanity that we share.
The sad reality in the wake of terrorist acts since 2001 is that we have learned to divest ourselves of freedoms in an effort for greater security. With "illegal immigrants" being indefinitely detained in Australia (mostly genuine refugees, and some children), continued and increasing profiling of people according to belief, we are now subjected to a greater sense of fear and security restrictions. In an effort to defend our freedoms, we are giving them away, and demonstrating that we are really defending our economic interests and comfortable lifestyles. Which really is most important?
There is an unholy trinity at work: global poverty, global warming, and global terrorism, and until we recognise the integral link between the three, we are destined to invest increasing energy in protecting our prosperity at the cost of our freedom.
In this light, last night was a refreshingly counter-cultural event, where we refused to bow to the fear campaign. We greeted friend and stranger alike. We explored difference, not only in food, but in culture and in belief. And we discovered our common humanity.
And we began to own our own contribution to global poverty by doing something to restore the balance. We raised funds which would take widows off the streets of Bangladesh, where they currently need to beg for food daily. It is a small step. A seed, as it were. But isn't the kingdom of God like a mustard seed: the tiniest of all?
Posted by gary at July 10, 2005 05:44 PM
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