A social evil?

Last month the Joseph Rowntree Foundation made the headlines with its latest report on trends in Britain entitled "What are today's social evils?" The main concerns of the report contained no surprises - problems of individualism, consumerism, a decline of community, drugs, alcohol, a decline of values, inequality and poverty. What did excite comment later in the report was the theme of religion as a social evil causing division and intolerance. On closer examination this was due in part to replies from secularists whose comments generally demonstrated a far deeper intolerance than any they criticised in others. Typically people of faith were accused of being irrational and unthinking, yet the tone of the comments suggested that those making them had never taken the trouble to find out what religious people think or why they think it, and certainly gave no account to the fact that many of the world's most intelligent people, both now and in the past, have a faith and see no contradiction between that and their intellect.

For me the report highlighted the conviction that there is one way in which Christians should be thoroughly intolerant, and that is in a refusal to let lazy generalisations go unchallenged. We must not allow things which are ill-founded and untrue to be accepted as established facts.

For example, our faith schools are often accused of fostering sectarianism. The fact is that Twyford CE High School reserves one in six places for children of other faiths and these places are snapped up every year. Moreover, understanding and tolerance of these other faiths is taught clearly in the RE syllabus.

Rather than fragmenting communities, churches actually offer vital cement that holds them together. Frequently we provide the only buildings which others can use, and they are grateful to do so. Hanger Hill is a multi-faith area and yet people of other faiths are happy to come to the Church of the Ascension itself to hold their Residents' Association meetings. The St Mary's Restoration project has from the beginning sought to provide a facility which the whole community can use. Indeed our current parent and toddler group has several leaders whose personal faith background is Islamic. The Ascension's Spring Festival, celebrating its tenth anniversary this month exists in order to provide a meeting place for local people in an area where there are few other focal points.

Lastly, and most powerfully, it has been demonstrated beyond all doubt that people of faith are statistically more likely to be involved in voluntary service to other members of the wider community. Christians are constantly active in bringing people together, not dividing them.

Real faith is life-affirming and serves society. It stands in striking contrast to the minority of angry, defensive, fundamentalists who give all religion a bad name. It's time for Christians everywhere to confront the myths and spin which some use to discredit the faith of Jesus, and point to the countless ways in which the churches work day by day, and year by year, for the good of all.

If you're reading this for the first time, I hope you'll see that our churches aren't afraid of the tough questions as we offer a warm and genuine welcome to people of faith and people seeking faith. We'd love to share your spiritual journey with you. Above all, let's get together and do some good.

Best wishes