One thing I’ve been pondering on these last few weeks is the idea firstly that Great Britain is not really known as a ‘Christian Country’ though I guess on the official documentation it is, and to start with I guess my initial thoughts were that this was bad however the more I think on it the more I think that Britain being a secular country could be a very good thing, and not just good in general but good for Christians.
Yes, perhaps this is a slightly bizarre thought but it seems to me that because we’re known as a Christian country many people assume they’re Christians, they might only go to church once a year (if that) and not really believe in God but because of the country, or perhaps their parents or because they tick the ‘Christian’ box on the census they think their Christians, when actually they’re not! Of course this can hinder evangalism when Christians approach ‘Christians’ who say that they are Christian.
This perhaps is even more common to the Catholic church where people are literally born into, the catholic faith is inherited, however this leads to people calling themselves catholics with no real belief in God, no church going and just doing their own thing. In my opinion this isn’t what a true Catholic is and I’d hope the pope would agree with me on this one!
A Christian country in todays society has lead to people believing their Christians with no beliefs, and not following God, and on an even more controversal note I think many people who do go to churches use it as nothing more than a refuge, a place where they can feel part of or perhaps it’s even just used as a sunday thing.
Pete Ward discusses the idea that church as we know it is typically a watered down message with standard spirituality and middle-of-the-road music and I think he has a point. Not to say that all churches are like that but churches seem to be afraid of being daring, afraid of being audacious! (to use a buzz word), not to the point where church becomes nothing more than a show but to the point where Christianity is taught properly, not watering down a message in case it offends someone but aiming to challenge every aspect of a persons being.
As I have thought these things I am coming to the conclusion that laws which could either make us break them or compromise our faith are a good thing! The reason why is this: It would separate the mice from the mean, the ‘I say I’m a Christian’ from the Christians, perhaps losing people but at the same time gaining on fire, Christ serving Christians. Christianity thrives in the face of persecution, the first church grew rapidly despite it being illigal until the Roman Emporer Nero became one and legalised. I think the freedom to practice religion in Britain has led to Sunday Christians, people who pick and choose their Christianity rather than taking it on board, if being a Christian led to percecution those would fall away or become stronger in their faith.
The percecution of Christians in china because of law (I.e. it being illigal) has lead to the church growing from just 1 million in 1950 up to 80 million in 2002, church growth is estimated at 35,000 a day and here is my theory why. Desparate times cause for desparate measures, in Britain we don’t rely on God as much as we should, I don’t think we feel the need for miricles and wonders a lot of the time, we just like God as a comfort blanket, whereas Christians in china have to rely on God for their safety, for their lives, the same way Paul would have done when in prison or preaching to thousands. Jesus says if we ask he will answer, if we knock the door will be opened and I think when we reach a place when being a Christian means breaking the law in Britain we will see church growth, we will see God come alive as people have to place their faith in him.
Not to say that we don’t see God come alive in Britain as it is, I think and know God does perform miricles and there are a lots of Christians who live their lives for God completely however I think that a secular society could lead to even more of these, hence why I think it could be a good thing. Think about it, if you were faced with the option of giving up your faith or dying what would you choose?
I didn’t make it onto the stage but here are some photos.
