Logo

 

Banner Image:   Baptist-Times-banner-2000x370-
Template Mode:   Baptist Times
Icon
    Post     Tweet

The Good Samaritan in modern Britain? 

A Baptist minister was secretly filmed in a busy town centre as part of study into the role of the Good Samaritan in modern Britain


Screen Shot 2016-03-09 at 1010

Sam King (pictured above) of Calne Baptist Church, was initially filmed by Bible Society wearing a dog collar asking to borrow people’s phones.

With the help of make-up artist he later he dressed as a rough sleeper. Not surprisingly he discovered that many more people disregarded him.

 

The filming took place as part of Bible Society’s 'The Good Samaritan in Modern Britain' report.
 
Bible Society’s Rachel Rounds, a member of Sam’s church in Wiltshire, told Premier, 'It was amazing the change in people - people wouldn't look him in the eye.

'Because he's been a vicar most of his life, people have always treated him with respect.

'But he said the minute he got changed into the rough-sleeper disguise, if you like, he said his whole opinion about himself changed, he said he felt different.

'And it's not just about face-value, it's about issues like time - often if someone approaches us it's like I haven't got time I'm too busy.'

The report reveals 'a call for a kinder Britain' by adults and children, according to the organisation.
 
 Using a YouGov survey, Bible Society found that:

  • Only half of us (55%) would stop and approach an older lady that we saw crying in the street, to try and comfort them
  • 1 in 5 of us remember a time we needed help in a public place and no-one has stopped
  • 2 in 3 adults (64%) and nearly 3 in 5 (57%) of children aged 8 to 15 are worried Britain is becoming a less kind society
  • Nearly a third (32%) of children said being educated about the parable of the Good Samaritan will help create a kinder Britain

Speaking about the findings, Paul Woolley, Interim Chief Executive of Bible Society said: "Our research indicates that for many people, regardless of personal faith, the Bible's engaging and timeless stories have meaning and significance today.

"Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan operates at two levels. It is a spectacular invitation to a life of self-giving that insists we roll up our sleeves and help no matter what it takes. It also challenges us to recognise that there are no limits to our neighbourhood or neighbourliness. It demands that even those who are hated and feared are to be seen as our neighbours.

"Cultures are shaped by the stories we tell. Our Pass it On campaign is about encouraging people to pass the Bible on to future generations. Stories likes the Good Samaritan can help us build a kinder Britain. We want to see everyone value the Bible for themselves, their families and communities."
 

Baptist Times, 11/03/2016
    Post     Tweet
WEBnet Home Mission Stories
Examples of how Home Mission funds are being used in the West of England Baptist Network
SubArticleD2019
YAC Shack shows youngsters the way 
Swindon Baptists are turning youngsters away from crime and drugs through evangelism
Our midweek outreach event for seniors 
Faith in Later Life Church Champion Judi leads the seniors work at Clevedon Baptist Church in North Somerset. Here she shares about a midweek outreach event which the church hosts for seniors, called Good News
Exploring the Christmas story in a fun and interactive way 
Clevedon Baptist Church in North Somerset will welcome more than 2,000 children and adults to Destination Bethlehem, its all age, interactive journey through the Christmas story.
A pilgrimage from Prudhoe to Portishead 
Baptist minister Paul Revill is walking from the North East to his new home 530 miles away in Somerset
The story behind our church building swap 
Horfield Baptist Church and BandA Church in Bristol swapped buildings earlier this year. Minister Sarah Phillpot explains the background to the move, what’s happened so far – and how the church deepened its reliance on God throughout the process
First live EP for songwriter Luke 
The first live EP from worship leader and songwriter Luke Wareham is now available - and he hopes it will help people fix their eyes on Jesus
     Regional News 
    Posted: 12/04/2022
    Posted: 12/03/2021
    Posted: 16/06/2020
    Posted: 05/01/2018
    Posted: 20/09/2017
    Posted: 26/04/2016
    Posted: 07/02/2016
    Posted: 02/12/2015
    Posted: 21/10/2015
    Posted: 23/09/2015
    Posted: 07/07/2015
    Posted: 14/04/2015
    Posted: 28/01/2015