Homestays in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan! My excited anticipation became uneasy when I realised they were in Muslim homes… However, the gracious hospitality, openness and inclusivity shown to our group were impressive. The families’ peaceful, communal life was marked by respect and understanding of each person and their role. There was a striking difference from the media portrayal of extreme Muslims which had been my prior source of information. My understanding of these people and their culture was deepened and personalised. I found they shared many of my own values, based on their religious beliefs. Later, in Turkey, we discovered a carpet celebrating a history of harmony and cooperation between Christians and Muslims, unfortunately disrupted by political agendas. Sadly, this theme repeats itself throughout history. Knowing someone who is ‘other’ to your worldview can make all the difference. As understanding grows, false stereotyping falls away. Our ‘Respectful Conversations’ group is now exploring the traditions and ceremonies of various faiths. What do we have in common? Where do we differ and why? We come in peace to expand our worldview and draw out the best in each other. You are welcome to join us, second Wednesday of each month, 7-9 pm, in the Lane Cove Uniting Church hospitality space. I am also happy to discuss your experiences in person. Do you have an issue with any particular group of people? Those of other sexualities, cultures, socio-economic backgrounds? Do you actually know any of them personally? I encourage you to attempt to search out the truth relationally, rather than rely on second hand, impersonal information. We are living in a very diverse society. Let’s seek to understand it. ‘Mercy triumphs over judgment,’ from the Bible - James 2: 12a 'We made you races and tribes for you to get to know each other,' from the Quran 49:13 擴大了的觀點 (譯自Karen牧師的文章'Enlarged Perspectives') 居住在吉爾吉斯斯坦和烏茲別克斯坦人家庭裏嗎!但我的期望驀然轉為不安,當我察覺居住場地是穆斯林教徒的家庭........雖然如此,他們和藹的、開朗的及包涵的款待,令我們這群外來者感到印象深刻。那些家庭的安寧而集體方式的生活,表現他們的互相尊重和諒解,各守其份。這跟傳媒所描述的極端穆斯林教分子顯然有別的。由此我對這些民族及他們的文化感受深了,人性化了。 我發覺他們和我們有很多共通的價值觀,源出於他們的宗教熏陶。隨後我們在土耳其發現一塊慶祝基督教徒跟穆斯林教徒和諧合作歷史的地毯,但不幸地這份歷史給政治主題中斷了。悲哀地這類主題被重複地伸延遍及歷史。 結交和您們的世界觀有異者,能改變這世界。認識加深了,錯誤的歧視便會崩潰的。我們的‘互相尊重會談’組現正在探求各類宗教的傳統及禮儀。我們有那些共同點呢?差異在哪裏,為什麼?讓我們一起和平地擴闊世界觀及擇善而從吧。歡迎您們逢每月的第二個星期三蒞臨參與,時間是晚上7點至9點,地點是Lane Cove Uniting Church的招待室。我亦歡迎跟您們面談人生經歷的。 您們有沒有遇到跟任何族群爭議?涉及其他性別的行為的、文化的、社經背景的呢?您們有沒有親歷其境呢?我鼓勵您們試圖理性地找出真理,而不依賴二手的、乏個性的認知。我們正處於極度分歧的社會。讓我們探求方法來理解它吧。 基督教聖經雅各書第二章第12節a: ‘仁慈超越審判。’ 可蘭經第49章第13節: ‘我們創造了不同種族和部落,好使你們互相認識。 扩大了的观点 (译自Karen牧師的文章'Enlarged Perspectives') 居住在吉尔吉斯斯坦和烏茲別克斯坦人家庭里嗎!但我的期望驀然转为不安,当我察觉居住场地是穆斯林教徒的家庭........虽然如此,他们和藹的、开朗的及包涵的款待,令我们这群外来者感到印象深刻。那些家庭的安宁而集体方式的生活,表現他们的互相尊重和谅解,各守其份。这跟传媒所描述的级端穆斯林教分子显然有別的。由此我对这些民族及他们的文化感受深了,人性化了。 我發觉他们和我们有很多共通的价值观,源出於他们的宗教熏陶。隨後我们在土耳其發現一块庆祝基督教徒跟穆斯林教徒和諧合作历史的地毯,但不幸地这份历史給政治主題中断了。悲哀地这类主題被重複地伸延遍及历史。 结交和您们的世界观有异者,能改变世界的。我们的‘互相尊重会談’組現正在探求各类宗教的传統及礼仪。我们有那些共同点呢?差異在哪里,為什麼?让我们一起和平地扩阔世界观及擇善而从吧。欢迎您们逢每月的第二个星期三蒞臨參与,时间是晚上7点至9点,地点是Lane Cove Uniting Church的招待室。我亦欢迎跟您们面談人生经历的。 您们有沒有遇到跟任何族群爭议?涉及其他性別的行为的、文化的、社经背景的呢?您们有沒有親历其境呢?我鼓励您们試图理性地找出真理,而不依賴二手的、乏性的認知。我们正處於级度分歧的社会。让我们探求方法来理解它吧。 基督教聖經雅各书第二章第12节a: ‘仁慈超越審判。’ 可兰经第49章第13节: ‘我们創造了不同種族和部落,好使你们互相認識。’ 擴大了的觀點 (譯自Karen牧師的文章'Enlarged Perspectives')
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AUTHORThe articles here are currently written by Liam McKenna, Lane Cove Community Chaplain. Archives
August 2023
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