by Rev Pressley Sutherland

We are living in a time of great exile. Our churches and many faith communities feel like agents of exile and suffering to many, many people. I don’t know about you, but when I anticipate some of the conversations at the upcoming Anglican Lambeth Conference, the recent Bishop’s conference in Jerusalem, and many other authoritative religious gatherings, there is a tightening in my gut, an involuntary physical reflex against the lateral violence we are likely to experience against open and affirming faith communities. Some people may tell fairytales about God, characterising dividing from Christians who believe in an inclusive communion as a righteous thing to do. From Jerusalem, there are reports of fresh calls for churches to forbid the attendance of lgbt people at services (and by extension our friends, families and allies). The seed of suffering has been sown deeply into our religions. I love the Way of Christ. I love faith communities. But we must be honest. Our ways of viewing the world and ‘others’ around us are often fear-based and uninformed.