The Archbishop of Canterbury said the Church and the people were losing the ability to disagree without hatred and that this path could only end in disaster.
Archbishop Welby took part in a question and answer session at the Anglican Education Department's national conference 'Growing in Faith and Sustaining Hope' in Hackney on Thursday, at the start of which he launched two initiatives for schools. The first, His Flourish, is a program that establishes a network of worship communities within schools. The second, Difference, is a resource developed in collaboration with Lambeth Palace's Reconciliation Team and is designed to help students bridge divides, embrace differences and grow their school community. Masu.
When asked why he decided to prioritize reconciliation while in office, he said: “When I began my ministry in 2013, one of the key issues in church and nation and around the world was that we were gradually losing (and that we were increasingly losing) Even worse is the ability to disagree without hating each other. And if you continue down that path, you will end up in disaster and do terrible things. ”
The archbishop, who grew up in a “deeply divided and deeply troubled” family, said: “One of the best things we can do as Christians is to not only introduce people to Jesus, but also to make sure that people don't disagree. By being better able to deal with differences and arguments, we can challenge some of the ways in which people are hurt and damaged, especially in families.”
Rethinking reconciliation is one of the three “habits” of the difference program. The other thing is how to be curious and how to be present.
The archbishop said being curious means finding and trying to understand someone's perspective, even if you don't agree with it, and rethinking new ways to move forward. Students who took part in the pilot program say their confidence has improved and their ability to see the big picture and empathize has improved.
After a question and answer session, Archbishop Welby delivered a keynote address on these topics. He said this, referring to an international gathering held at Lambeth Palace this week. “Our society has become increasingly complex, increasingly intertwined through social media, and increasingly struggles to confront differences and divisions so that everyone can thrive. Everyone has a good chance. ”
He continued: “Social media brings us together in ways we never imagined, but it also drives us further apart… At the moment, we are being trolled, threatened, and threatened.” It happens in the school community. It happens in the local community. It happens at the national level and at the global level. We hear our own voices being given. You can end up just retreating into an echo chamber, and any other perspective feels scary.”
He also cited political polarization and rapid advances in AI, saying they are “not a threat. They are potentially big beneficial changes, but they don't work in a society that hates each other.” . It has no effect because it is only used to deepen hatred. ”
AI could be completely transformative, Archbishop Welby suggested. “Reconciliation is one way young people can unleash their energy about climate change and the long-term future in which they are deeply and deeply invested. [can be harnessed]. Reconciliation is one thing they can be passionate about. And they change the world. ”
The youth's passion for justice was a great indicator, he said. “They dare to imagine and pursue a world in which all people have the opportunity to flourish and where discrimination is not right. They have much to teach the church in that area.
“It is important that they are valued, empowered and equipped through sustained positive change. The Growing Faith Foundation, whose celebrations are being held here today, recognizes their vital role. As the Church of England, we strive to put young people at the heart of all our activities in all areas.
“Today we are gathered in a place [St John’s, Hackney, where the National Society was founded] There, only a few people had the courage to imagine a new future for education and, by extension, a new future for the nation. And what they did changed the country. ”
He concluded that “education, like reconciliation, is about imagination.”
The C of E's chief education officer, the Reverend Nigel Gender, said the geopolitical situation was clearly bleak. The Church offered the Difference Program in recognition that all schools have a major role to play in helping young people cross divides, overcome differences of opinion, and successfully meet others. It is from.
“For us, leading a school with hope is more than just wishful thinking, an optimistic outlook, or a positive attitude toward the future. It is about God’s love and mercy toward all people and all of creation.” “It's a deeper, broader, richer concept that is rooted in,” he said.
The conference, held in conjunction with the Educational Leadership Foundation, also featured talks from Laura McInerney, co-founder of Teacher Tapp, an app that surveys teachers daily about how they think about specific issues in education; I heard. Author and broadcaster Krish Kandia (interview, September 8, 2017), expert on refugee resettlement, child welfare reform, education innovation, and civil society.
