tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6374761658646185874.post1400015129695067159..comments2024-02-13T21:53:44.266+13:00Comments on Mark Keown: Smacking, Unity and WitnessMark J. Keownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15790396917682891386noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6374761658646185874.post-89872568408826767832007-05-05T13:25:00.000+12:002007-05-05T13:25:00.000+12:00I hear you. I made no comment on the mode of prote...I hear you. I made no comment on the mode of protest. What I am concerned about is the impact in a modern age of confusion which Christian disagreements in public cause for unbelievers. I once had a conversation with a guy who said he would never be a Christian because Christians cannot agree on what they believe. I am not for any authoritarian imposition of belief but that we think very very carefully about our public image in our political and social involvement. I am appealing for us to place the big picture of our mission in the forefront of involvement in the wider world. I am all for Christians getting together to work out stuff and would never want us to feel we can not agree. But it is how and where we choose to air such things that interests me.Mark J. Keownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15790396917682891386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6374761658646185874.post-44417113589344818012007-05-05T12:39:00.000+12:002007-05-05T12:39:00.000+12:00Mark, I'm not sure I (quite) agree with you on thi...Mark, I'm not sure I (quite) agree with you on this. I'll agree that aggressive and confrontational disagreement damages our witness, but on an issue as controversial and confused as this one I suspect that being seen NOT to endorse one simple party-line is good for our "image". Christians are too often, and too easily, portrayed as simple minded authoritarian... at least honest and open disagreement on issues like this helps avert that stereotype!Tim Bulkeleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07289349880110581469noreply@blogger.com