Categories: uncategorized
Date: 27 March 2006 13:02:32
I bet that gave you a shock, didn't it - coming from this direction. I'm not exactly famed for my ability to debate heavyweight theological and ethical matters, after all, and this is Monday morning. Just. Well, give or take half an hour or so.
No, these mournful musings have been triggered by a couple of bits and pieces. There's a discussion going on over at SOF on how as Christians we cope with trauma, whether personal or others, especially in a world where we have practically 24/7 media coverage. For folks in our area this has been painfully noticeable, with nationwide coverage of the trial of a particularly gruesome murder. So much so, that I, like I'd suspect not a few others found that I didn't exactly dissociate myself from the proceedings; more that I found myself unable to wallow in it the way some people appear to do. Not that I'd call myself unfeeling; I read just a couple of news items, and that was all I could cope with. I found the almost purient eagerness of some of the press pretty repulsive in itself.
Anyway, to get to the point; our bishop was invited onto local radio yesterday to say a few words about it all. The poor man. I mean just what do you say at a time like this? But to give him credit, he managed as well as could have been expected under such circumstances. No easy platitudes here. One thing that struck me in particular was his response to the question as to whether there is such a thing, concept as satan (One of the defendants had apparently stated that another person had been in the room whilst the crimes were being comitted; the devil). I can't recall his reply exactly, and nothing has been put up on the diocesan website, but it was, I think, words to the effect that one can talk about a 'force of evil..' But more importantly, when it comes down to it, WE are responsible for our own actions.
Funnily enough, this came back to mind later on whilst Mr M and I were watching 'Schindlers List.' After gritting my teeth through watching the unmentionably sadistic behaviour of the camp comandant, I was moved to wonder out loud 'What do you think. Is he mad, or just bad?' I tended to the former, Mr M to the latter. But he, too echoed the Bishop's line of thought: We are responsible for our deeds.