Only five responded positively, whilst many did not respond at all. A number of bishops even wrote back saying they would not support the ringing of bells because it would be “imposing” one set of beliefs on another or that it would be too assertive to put on such public displays.
Sensitivity and tolerance towards other cultures and beliefs is an important quality in any society and it is good that the church recognises this. In the days of the British Empire missionaries, although often going with the best intentions, often shared the prejudices of the day that viewed non-British culture and religious practices as inferior or even evil.
This disdain for the culture of others has born a bitter fruit even today. In India we have seen horrific riots against Christians by people who hold the mistaken view that Christianity is a Western religion that seeks to rob India of its culture and traditional values.
Now, however, there is the danger of going in a totally opposite direction. Whereas before, missionaries sought to replace local cultures with their own, we now see some in the church fearful of expressing their own culture, even within their own country.
There are a few in the church, however, who seem to be very sensible in this area. Ironically it is those who are not even from this country who are England’s most fervent supporters.
Men like John Sentamu and Michael Nazir-Ali have not repeated the mistakes of those missionaries of long ago. Having come to this country from Uganda and Pakistan respectively they seem to have adopted England as their own and are more passionate in their promotion of English values than many of the English!
Another example is the Nigerian, Jonathan Oloyede, Covenor of the Global Day of Prayer (GDOP) in London. At a prayer meeting ahead of this year’s, GDOP Oloyede invoked the “Blitz Spirit” and spoke of a time during the Second World War when the King called the nation to pray for its salvation (from the Nazis).
It is touching that they, and other church leaders like them, should have such a love for this country, especially given the history of colonialism that exists between the UK and their own mother countries. However, for those of us whose roots are closer to this country it is also mildly embarrassing that there are few English people willing to show such a passionate love for a country which has given so much to the people of the world.
Let us hope that next year’s celebrations mark an even greater change in direction towards an England that is both confident of its own identity and is welcoming to all nations and peoples on earth.
