Displaying items by tag: Love Your Neighbour

Promoting religious freedom in countries like Afghanistan, Somalia, and Yemen, officials must be creative. Sanctions can weaken dysfunctional governments and destroy conditions for Christians living there. Instead, a ‘love your neighbour’ approach in ‘hot spots’ can facilitate peace and save entire communities. It is recorded that Afghanistan, Algeria, and Azerbaijan have tried to eliminate at least one religious group. Experts say a deeper understanding of the culture and engaging with those under duress makes a tremendous difference. English speakers are not the best representatives of the communities. Rural people have different understandings of how they see themselves and how they think the world works. They know the lived faith traditions, the lived conflict, they know what is in the way and how to remove it. This knowledge held within the communities includes how local cultures and customs mesh with religion. A Lebanese Christian is very different from an American Christian.

The Constantine Bay Store, near Padstow, wants older people to be able to shop ‘exclusively and with confidence’. Each day between 8 and 8.30 am, the shop will open its doors only to those born before 1950. The owner said he hoped it would ‘give them a little bit of peace of mind’ in the fight against coronavirus. Nationwide, Sainsburys are introducing a similar incentive. C3 Church in Cambridge gave out 3,000 ‘Love Your Neighbour’ flyers to its congregation to post through their neighbours’ doors, offering to collect groceries, speak on the phone, or collect a prescription for those who are in self-isolation. Church members fill in their contact details on the flyer so that people can request help. See Neighbourhood Prayer Network have produced ‘Help Cards For Your Street’, which can be downloaded free here

On the anniversary of the Grenfell Tower disaster, many survivors describe their inability to forgive and their need to find someone to blame. In the midst of darkness and sorrow Ray’s story stands out. He welcomed seven of his neighbours into his top-floor flat, offering refuge while awaiting rescue. Later it was found that they had sat on his bed, while Ray sat on the floor at their feet. In an inquiry full of sadness and grief, we heard Ray's family describe him as a hero. His actions that night reflect a love that is so often absent from our society. He welcomed his neighbours into his home and gave them a space on his bed as they took their final breath. Ray loved his neighbours as himself.