It was good to see last Sunday’s Observer praising Rowan Williams for his appreciation of Philip Pullman’s excellent His Dark Materials trilogy. The lecture in which the endorsement was made is also well worth some time.
It seems that some people have been doing projections based on recent trends which suggest that Islam will surpass Christianity as the most practiced religion in the UK within the next twenty years. The reasons for this are many, and certainly too complex for a simple blog entry. Somehow I doubt it’s to do with their Alpha Courses.
If Islam really is on its way to becoming the country’s biggest religion (and all indicators seem to point that way) then the Christian churches are almost certainly going to have to learn to respond. It is, sadly, almost inevitable that there will be some increase in hardline responses, out-and-out assaults which will simply serve to hurt both communities. Dr. Williams’ lecture seems to lay out a more constructive way.
In not withdrawing from intellectual challenges, and in inviting those with differing viewpoints to help refine his faith, Rowan Williams is modelling a faith that can grow whether in the majority or the minority. One that can help transform a society it doesn’t dominate. I think that’s something I’d like to aspire to.
Last night’s Delicatessen seemed to go off remarkably well, and the lighting courtesy of Matt and Clare’s living room provided a more than pleasant ambience. It was the first time I’d seen John Lester and I was rather taken with his voice. There are plenty of MP3s at his website, so get downloading!