change your attitude

August 31, 2020,

Good afternoon everyone,

" Black Lives Matter "

" There is neither Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free, nor is there male or female, for you are all one in Christ. " Galatians 3:28

In the discussion around the movement called Black Lives Matter, I know we disagree with one another. Some people say in response that "All Lives Matter".  This is true. We all matter to God. But, black lives have not always mattered. There was slavery for centuries. How do we make right that experience ? Following the end of official slavery in 1865 in the US, and following the Civil War, there were laws passed to keep parts of slavery intact. These were known as the Jim Crow laws. These included where blacks could work, what fountains they could drink from, and where they could sit on the train or bus. It was only in the 1960's that laws were passed to fix these cultural norms. They did not work. Since I am not Afro-Canadian or African American I do not know their experience. Even nearby, in Mapleton Township ( known in the 1800's as Queens Bush), former black slaves were cheated out of their land. They were never compensated. I think racism still exists.

Paul breaks down many ethnic, gender and economic barriers when he writes in Galatians. It is only one line, but it is so profound. But we have not really lived this new vision of the church. Why do women still make less than men in our society for the same work ? Discuss .  Why can't the wealthy and poor get together to make sure everyone has enough ( that is the slave and free part of the verse)  ? So many questions from our society, we can still go back to what Paul says . In order for a great conversation on any issue, I have to think that I might be wrong.

Men's and women's basketball, hockey and soccer all postponed their playoffs to bring ani-racism ideas in front of us. If I am racist, what would change my mind ? I am a Toronto Maple Leaf fan. What kind of argument would it take for me to switch to the Montreal Canadiens ? It is really hard to change our minds. God has a tough time with us, I think. How do we change our minds around gender, economics and ethnicity/race ? People are saying that the pandemic is giving us the opportunity to reorder the world ?

We have work to do, together.

Shalom and strength,