Remembrance Day approaches and so, as with last year, we see the Elves of ekklesia appear on Radio Four to make their annual offering. And this year Jonathan Bartley brings us nothing new in the organisations 'new' report (or perhaps last year's with a new cover?).
Remembrance day, in JB's view, has been "Cheapened because we dishonour those who died whe we don't tell the truth - we don't tend to focus or even acknowledge the more shameful acts of British Troops, for example, those in Bomber Command . . . ." yada yada yada."
It's the same old, same old - exactly the same as last year and suggests that perhaps ekklesia have nothing much to say now (or then). Perhaps no one listened then and guess what (to quote Don Mclean's 'Vincent') I would assume that for many the reality is that, "They're not listening now!" Mind you - always good to bring in Harry Patch, a masterful stroke to try and validate your position with a celeb'!
It also seems to me that rather than support it, ekklesia dishonours and abuses the very act of remembrance and Remembrance Day by taking this slot every year to trot out their same old, same old stuff and I just wish they'd leave it out. There are many other weeks in the year when they can publish and make statements relating to this, but of course they want to be controversial as any furore they might generate is the publicity they appear to seek, otherwise I assume they're largely ignored (outside their own circles) - a pretty good situation asI see it!
But - It's November and so, just as father Christmas appears in December, Jonathan Bartley of the Ekklesia appears to make his annual 'Remembrance' radio appeal which as last year is another slagging off of Bomber Command. Not only that but JB wants us to acknowledge that some who have died in conflict have 'died in vain', a bit of a stupid move really as history and outcomes already do that for us. Better still, he thinks we should end referring to soldiers as having given their lives for the freedoms that we enjoy today and that Armisitice day should be a Bank Holiday - which is a great idea - then we could do the parades on the actual day (All shops closed I would hope?).
He argues that more resources should be put into 'peace building'! An excellent idea and something I applaud - problem is that I don't see JB or the ekklesia at the top of the list as being anything like able to contribute to this (actually I don't see them on any list worth speaking of)! Lots of words and yet, sadly, no substance.
I teach about remembrance and the folly of war and the greed of people which destroys lives and destroys nations - this is all part and parcel of remembrance - just as is the old sweats having a day to remember their comrades and honour their 'Glorious Dead' - a term incidentally I have problems with and discuss with young people every year! Balance - perspective - intelligence. there is a great deal of integrity and honesty out there - perhaps ekklesia just need to get out more?
When asked about ekklesia being part of the Network of Christian Peace Organisations and whether this meant that they pacifists, JB wriggles and issues anything but 'yes' or 'no', which for me answers the question as a resounding yes! His actual answer to the question, "Are you pacifists?" was "We want a truthful and realistic perspective about war!" It's a great thing when pacifists don't even have the cahunas to admit they are pacifists. So we have another try with the pacifist line, "Are you pacifist then?" and this time he answer that, "No, not everyone in the group is pacifist!" So another tack, "But you are?" JB, in a stunning display of letting his 'yes' be anything he wants and his 'no' being apparently aimed at everyone else wriggles out in masterful escapological style, "Personally, I don't use that term, no I think you have to be realistic about these thing but the most important thing about these things is to be 'truthful'!' I bet everyone else uses this term though Jonathan! If you are it, wear the badge, if not say so - but JB didn't and thereby hangs an idea of who, or what, we are dealing with! Not a lot of honesty or integrity apparent.
So, whatever he calls himself, he sounds like a pacifist and to be truthful, like a bit of a plank as well with his annual outing to get his attacks on the Remembrance Day service and, as per last year, his attitudes regarding Bomber Command and 'carpet bombing'. This year's outing was little more than a cracked record repeat of last year (see my blog from last year - I'm not going to do an ekklesia here).
I am all for people engaging with Remembrance Day as they wish and as their conscience demands and I reserve the right to engage with it as I wish without others trying to interfere. Those who want white poppies (which have been around longer than the groups who seek to hijack them for other protests) are free to. Those who wish to pillory war and act against the memories of those who have fought are free to - just don't turn it into a fight on the day and when others are doing their thing - go do whatever you want somewhere else - this is the freedom that people did give their lives for, and would again if the need arose. This is a reality and not some jingoistic, war-glorifying, bravado applauding event.
Remembrance is an important part in creating peace! And I ought to add that we know when lives have been lost in vain, we have brains, we have eyes and we have the warrant of history to confirm it. We know of the awful happenings of cannon fodder days during the first World War and we know what wasted lives are all about.
If ekklesia is a Christian think tank I see very little new thinking and if what they promoted on the radio is a shop window for them, I saw little Christian either! This was of course supported by their great use of Biblical passages and Christian attitudes, so not just my view perhaps?
Not only could I not see ekklesia as being any different from all the other secular organisations (including those very anti-Christian ones), most of all, I saw nothing that spoke of Christ or Christianity, just another secular group of self-righteous prigs I'm afraid. Please try and do better (or at least drop the Christian and 'Think' from your billing!!).
The one good thing that ekklesia has done is to get me off my backside to ask my MP why those who served and gave their lives in Bomber Command didn't get the medal that those left long for. I will actively encourage everyone who I know to do the same because ekklesia have highlighted a great injustice. These men served, they obeyed orders, they lost life, limb and sight to do their duty, which is all they could do (or should they have mutinied - a truly Christian outcome) because this is what those in charge decided needed to be done. It was disproportionate and contravened, as I see it, many of the Laws of Armed Conflict that today's forces comply with - but they did what they had to when they were told to - this is what duty commands.
We will still remember them (The Glorious Dead) - but hopefully forget ekklesia ;)
Pax.
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