Talking Point – June 2025

Worldwide Wisdom

PRIOR TO the 80th anniversary commemorations of VE Day, the actor and writer Sheila Hancock wrote: “Our beautiful planet is under threat in many ways. History shows that the solution is definitely not to be found in autocratic leadership. Let us aim to unite the available worldwide wisdom to tackle the global crises together.

Time is running out”. I agree with her about ’time’, but wonder where ‘worldwide wisdom’ might come from? Hancock’s ‘worldwide wisdom’ actually resides in the religious and humanistic voices of many traditions. But the challenges we face are huge:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. The rise of nationalist populism (Make …. Great Again);
               2. Climate science denial;
               3. Demonising immigrants and asylum seekers;
               4. Rising anti-Semitism and Islamophobia,
               5. Lifethreatening disparity between the rich and the poor in this country and throughout the world,
               6. Stigmatising people of LGBTIA+ sexuality and gender self-recognition – the list could be extended!

Is it time for churches and faith-communities to raise their heads above the parapet? Recently my attention was drawn to a Christian community in the United States who are seeking to do just that. They are taking heart from the recognition that the religions of the world share the value of compassion as a motivating factor in both personal relationships and the building up of public life. Here is a little taste of this church’s Declaration:

In the light of current government policies that are in direct opposition to the values and truths we hold as followers of Jesus, we align ourselves with all communities of faith and people of good will who feel called to publicly, humbly, and non-violently resist those government policies that:

• Threaten the well-being and dignity of targeted populations and individuals
• Endanger the well-being of our shared planet
• Dismantle structures of our constitutional democracy as well as congressionally funded programs that provide important services to those in need

Recognising that compassion and care for the vulnerable are central to the beliefs and values of all spiritual traditions, we invite all communities of faith to join us in speaking up and resisting policies of our government that violate inherent human dignity and inflict suffering on the most vulnerable among us, including our shared earth’s plants, animals, water, and air.
This Declaration was crafted for an American context, but its force is capable of being adopted in many places around the world – even in this country!

Revd Dr Alan Race – Reading Minster