August 2020
 

Re: Black lives and dangerous ideologies  
Powerful article by Mr Roques. Once again he teases out the root causes of some of the many issues, conflicts and paradoxes that face us in contemporary society.  Subversive and vital.
Jim Tickner 

Loved the article about "black lives matter: dangerous ideologies".
Couldn't stop reading actually. When see words like "ideologies" I feel like I'm in for a lecture but this article brought it down to a level that I can understand and engage with, while not dumbing it down.
I'll look out for more stuff by Mark Roques in the future!
Andrew Smith

Thankyou Mark. It is good to be reminded of the difficult task of "understanding dangerous mindsets". The Good News is a power to renew our minds in everyday discipleship as it challenges idolatrous movements that enslave, degrade, denigrate, de-platform and destroy not only our neighbours but also ourselves. May the Lord Himself encourage us in our efforts. Keep up the good work!
Bruce Wearne

I was impressed by the historical sweep of Mark Roques' article, referencing the current black lives matter and metoo movements in relation to so many dangerous ideologies from the past where one type of person was deemed non-human. The church should have the prophetic edge on issues such as racism, but is usually seen tagging along meekly behind whatever is the current most newsworthy issue and trying lamely to be relevant e.g. Justin Welby's promise to review the representations of Christ in churches after the recent statue controversies.
Tim Bowman

I started reading this article wondering what Mark Roques would have to say on the subject! As usual, he brought a broad brush to the topic of people hating and hurting and abusing other people who are not like them. I would agree totally with all that he says - slavery is very much still with us and goes way beyond race, reaching out into a lot of categories of human beings. But as Mark says, God does not categorise us - he loves us all and just wants what's best for us. Sadly, a lot of human beings care only about themselves and what they want. I look forward to reading Mark's next article - his thought processes and depth of thinking will help us to get to some of the truths of life as we know it.
Owen Carey Jones

Thank you for publishing the 'Black lives matter and dangerous ideologies' article by Mark Roques. This was excellent! Mark has a wonderful way of using historical events to highlight Gospel truths. As a Christian  educator in Australia, a country that has struggled with racism for nearly 300 years, his message is incredibly helpful and directional. As well as being devotional, this article highlights the enduring dangers of 'old' ideologies and their outcomes in the lives of people who bear the image of God. Only the gospel has the power via the Holy Spirit to confront these dangerous ideologies.
Dr Roger Fernando

What a wonderfully concise and understandable article by Mark - as we've come to expect from him. A brisk walk  through unpleasant, devaluing and dehumanising  ideologies past and present and then nailing it in that last paragraph - we should measure our worth by the equally infinite love that God has for each one of us.
Kevin Keefe

Great to read Mark Roques’ piece on the beliefs that underpin some of our most serious current issues including race and systemic injustice.
So much has been written on this since the tragic shooting of George Floyd - much of it spreading more heat than light.  I’m glad to say that Mark’s article did exactly the reverse.
Patricia Gray
 

Re: A blessing in disguise? 

Thank you Colin for your thoughts on singing. Here are three quick thoughts.

1. Many years ago my then church held a small weekly lunchtime service. Most of the  people who came were elderly, and there was no means of playing music. So we did, indeed, read the hymns - and it worked well (though we still tended to follow the non-existent music's rhythm!)

2. When we restart worship this Sunday, I will indeed be encouraging the congregation to hum along to the tune as they listen to the recorded music and see the words in front of them. Or they could mutter gently!

3. Our Anglican friends are perfectly used to having early morning Communion services, said Evensongs (surely a contradiction in terms?) and other services where music does not figure. Are we in danger of confusing the presence of God's Spirit with the purely human "buzz" which music can give us?

Andrew Kleissner, Christchurch United Church, Llanedeyrn, Cardiff