Irene Lancaster's Diary

Religion: a bastion of pain and mortification or the fount of love?

Further to yesterday's posting regarding the research findings that Manchester is the happiest city in the UK

http://irenelancaster.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/08/manchester-the-happiest-city-in-the-uk.html

today the city itself tried hard to live up to its positive reputation by allowing the very faintest glimmer of sun. This phenomenon lasted for about one minute, but was pretty heart-warming for all that!

To continue with yesterday's theme of Manchester good neighbourliness and positive ethnic and cultural relations, at 10.00 the local flower shop (owned by a charming Sikh couple) was still shut. On enquiring at the hairdresser's next door, I was invited in and offered a cup of coffee whilst waiting for the flower shop to open.

And not once did that rather chic hairdresser's try it on, even though I'd just been swimming and my hair was  - frankly - in need of some attention!

Talking of different faiths, today's Times has an interesting article by A.C Grayling on

Religion and its mortifying history of self-inflicted pain:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article4628278.ece 

Apparently, Judaism is 

[t]he only "religion of the book" that does not contain ritual traditions of self-inflicted suffering

However,

It [does] require[s] male genital mutlilation in the form of circumcision.

Hang on a bit - that's a bit loaded, isn't it! Has he actually interviewed any Jewish males lately to see what they think? I mean 'mutilation' - that's a bit over-the-top, surely!

He then continues that, in Judaism:

Sackcloth, ashes and fasting are the norm for penitents; punishments, which are biblically plentiful and savage, are most inflicted by the deity.   

Yes, but is this really what Judaism is about, I ask myself. I mean, I haven't seen much evidence of sackcloth and ashes either in Israel or in Jewish areas of the UK. Fasting there is, but only deemed meaningful when done with the 'right intention', as a Buddhist might say, Just look at the prophet Isaiah, Chapter 58, for instance:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fasting

Presumably, when Grayling mentions the Bible, he is talking about the 'Old Testament' and not the New Testament, which tends to share the view that circumcision is NOT A GOOD THING, AS WELL AS BEING HARMFUL TO THE MALE OF THE SPECIES:

http://www.cirp.org/pages/cultural/lewis1/

I wonder how Professor Grayling (whose field is philosophy) would get on teaching RE in the classroom. Would he be happy to learn, for instance, that RE is gaining in popularity and 'is now the most important examination subject after English, maths, and science':

http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/content.asp?id=62499 

English, maths and science are, of course, compulsory, which makes the achievement of RE all the more fascinating, given the input of the Dawkins and Graylings of this world!

At least the Church Times admits that knowledge of the 'Old Testament' is pretty thin on the ground in Church circles, let alone other circles:

The C of E has long since lost the Old Testament from its worship and preaching. This is not just a pity: it is a cause for concern:

http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/content.asp?id=62393

One of the reasons for this sad state of affairs may be the very low priority set in this country on the learning of foreign languages. If French is no longer compulsory from the age of 14, what hope for Latin, Greek and Hebrew? And, as I've argued before, you can't understand the Hebrew Bible (alias 'Old Testament') without knowing Hebrew, as it is based on punning and innuendo - much of the time at least! Most of which is lost in translation.

But to go back to the beginning of this blog - that Sikh flower shop - It is heartening to read in today's Times that (pace Grayling) the RE GCSE syllabus will give more recognition to Sikhism and Buddhism to reflect greater representation of those faiths in the classroom.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/article4629442.ece

Although, my experience of teaching RE in a very tough school in north Manchester is that the RE department was scrupulously fair and allotted an equal time for all the six major religions practised in this country. The problem was that some pupils from a certain religion were not too keen on learning about some of the other religions.

As for Judaism, I wonder if Professor Grayling might like to ponder the following: is there any other religion which sanctions putting God in the dock, as Judaism has, based on biblical precedent?

http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/content.asp?id=62416

I mean, can you imagine Aristotle talking to the 'Prime Mover' in the way that Abraham took on God over Sodom?

No, I thought not.

Shabbat Shalom!

Manchester the happiest city in the UK

Is this assertion true?

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article4622157.ece?Submitted=true

Yes, it is definitely possible. Having been away from Manchester for nearly two years, and abroad at that, coming back has been a real eye-opener. There is a real buzz in the air! People are even more friendly and helpful than before, and polite at that! The attitude to the middle-aged and elderly appears to be exemplary, and of course it's a haven for youth and youth culture!

Cultural and ethnic groups seem to be better integrated than in the past. Public transport is a pleasure, and even the local Lidl has improved, but maybe that's due to the influx of Polish workers who seem very keen to please!

As for the famed rain of Manchester, it may rain often, but flooding is rare and you tend to get used to the constant drizzle. It's also very good for the local environment. 

Manchester has always had something about it, but now it does seem to radiate a certain ease with itself. Yes, it's not that surprising to learn that Manchester turns out to be the happiest city in the UK. 

Is yoga idolatrous?

The recent Olympic Games, with its quiet triumphs for Great Britain, might make a Martian think that the line between sport and religion was a very fine line indeed:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/aug/26/olympicsandthemedia.tvratings

However, what about the other side of the coin? What about when an activity generally regarded as a sport, or at least a means of toning the body, ends up being condemned as an 'idolatrous' religion by those of another persuasion.

Thus, an interesting couple of articles in the London Times highlighted the positive and negatives of multiculturalism in a rather startling headline:

Does Yoga sit well with Christianity?

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article4592051.ece

and

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/global/article4532077.ece

The fact that some churches have spoken out against yoga practices as being of Hindu origin and therefore incompatible with Christian teachings can't have influenced our local church in Prestwich. Here a seasoned practioner continues to hold advanced yoga lessons in the community room where I used to teach biblical Hebrew and in which ping pong is also practised regularly (no doubt much to the approval of a certain Mayor of London!):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsFRgIb8mAQ

I have to admit that I've been a participant in the yoga sessions and felt that, yes, it was hard physical work, but ultimately worthwhile (plus 80% of the actions were a throwback to primary school days - the 'crab', and all that!). But idolatrous? Not at all! And certainly not akin to religion in any way.

I must admit that I much prefer swimming, so have now joined the local Salford baths at a fantastically good rate for people over 55. But I'm sure that yoga is beneficial, as well as being a wonderful workout. And Salford council offers yoga to all and sundry as well - and why not?

http://www.salford.gov.uk/leisure/facilities/

There are limits, however. For instance, in 2005 I participated in a Radio 4 programme with a Buddhist. I agreed to visit the Buddhist meditation centre in Manchester and take part in the meditation. If there were Buddhist statues dotted about, I regarded them as part of the furniture and irrelevant to the meditation. However, when asked to visit a statue of Buddha in her attic, I declined. The invitation was somewhat loaded and I didn't see the point!

http://irenelancaster.typepad.com/my_weblog/2006/07/tsaddik_no_30_p.html

This reminded me of the story told by a friend over a wondrous meal last Shabbat. Years before, he had been interested in Thai boxing. This sport starts with a bow. He hadn't realised that he was actually bowing to a Buddhist statue. He asked one of the most liberal rabbis around if bowing to a statue of Buddha in the context of Thai boxing was OK, and the rabbi said 'Definitely not'. So he had to explain to his Buddhist teacher, who thought about it and then said:

'Thai boxing entails bowing to a statue of Buddha. However, as I, the teacher,and all the pupils have their back to you at this time, therefore we can't see what is going on!'

Now that's a way to promote a religion, in my book!

Ground-breaking meeting at Manchester University UK on the problems of Jewish divorce

A potentially ground-breaking meeting took place at Manchester University UK 10 days ago, involving senion rabbinical figures from Israel:

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1008700.html

This meeting, which was closed to the public, was held at the end of the Judaica Fest, which I highlighted here:

http://irenelancaster.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/07/in-praise-of-the-positive.html

That day, the wives of two of the rabbis had some free time and we took them to the Lake District:

http://irenelancaster.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/07/the-art-of-judaism-lost-in-translation.html

Friends of mine in Haifa and elsewhere in Israel have hailed this meeting of academics and Jewish theologians as of major significance.

It's good to see Manchester highlighted in this way:

http://www.manchester2002-uk.com/

Archbishop of Canterbury holds the balance between liberals and conservatives in the Anglican Communion

Telos Press has just posted this discerning assessment of the state of the Anglican Communion.

 

http://www.telospress.com/main/index.php?main_page=news_article&article_id=262&zenid=e2547fac701942f32fed33bd991d8592

 

The piece is written by Dr. Adrian Pabst, Leverhulme Research Fellow, Department of Theology and Religious Studies, Centre of Theology and Philosophy, University of Nottingham UK. 

 

It is Dr. Pabst's opinion that:

 

'Archbishop Rowan is uniquely positioned to outline a theological and ecclesial vision that transcends the false divide between liberals and conservatives - a vision that is grounded in the Episcopal tradition and in Anglican theology.

 

After Lambeth, the challenge for Archbishop Rowan will be to change the current terms of debate and to rally Anglicans around his vision. The question is whether he is able and willing to be more outspoken in his critique of liberals and conservatives and whether he can display the sort of leadership to make real his theological imagination.'

 

Fascinating stuff!

 

 

 

 

Landmark address by UK Chief Rabbi to Anglican Bishops

Here in blisteringly hot Israel comes this assessment of the UK Chief Rabbi, Jonathan Sacks', historic address to Church of England Bishops currently meeting during the Lambeth Conference. It's by their excellent reporter, George Conger.

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1215331172840&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Another excellent reporter, Ruth Gledhill of The London Times, blogged on this event here:

http://timescolumns.typepad.com/gledhill/2008/07/lambeth-diary-9.html

Quite a change from two and a half years ago when the Church of England Synod voted to divest from Caterpillar bulldozers used in Israel (but not in the Palestinian territories!). The decision to divest was based on this report:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article527244.ece.

Here is some of the fall-out from that very unfortunate decision:

http://irenelancaster.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/01/the-former-head.html

It's also good that, during his address to the Lambeth Conference, the Chief Rabbi reminded the assembled Bishops that the Crusades had represented a devastating period in European Jewish history. Entire communities were decimated by Christians from England, for instance, who were forcibly funded by the Jewish community!.

http://ddickerson.igc.org/cliffords-tower.html

This is worth a mention, as an apology has recently been extended by Archbishop Rowan Williams to the Muslim community on account of the Crusades.

http://archbishop-cranmer.blogspot.com/2008/07/archbishop-christian-doctrine-is.html

But the total annihilation of Jewish communities has been commemorated in our liturgy, as noted here by the BBC:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/4938202.stm

Here is some more information on the impact of the Crusades on the Jewish communities of Europe:

http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/1096jews-mainz.html

A great deal of work has been done in the last two years to mend fences between the Church of England and the Jewish communities world wide (not least in Israel). Particularly worthy of note was the recent establishment of the Anglican-Jewish Commission, which I reported on here:

http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/content.asp?id=43222

The Gafcon Conference held recently in Jerusalem must also have had some effect on hearts and minds:

http://irenelancaster.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/06/the-gafcon-conference-next-year-in-jerusalem.html

All this goes to show that where's there's a will there's a way. 

http://www.myjewishlearning.com/daily_life/GemilutHasadim/TO_TikkunOlam.htm