At the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, we're used to protestors and street preachers greeting commissioners as they make their way to the Mound. So much so that we pass them by with barely a glance. However, a visiting friend decided to engage with this guy and entered into a lengthy dialogue. They both talked with one another and listened and exchanged views. Neither was changed by the encounter but two human beings met and shared conversation. Isn't that enough? How often we fear those who are different without even attempting to discover common ground.
Thursday, 21 May 2009
Engaging
At the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, we're used to protestors and street preachers greeting commissioners as they make their way to the Mound. So much so that we pass them by with barely a glance. However, a visiting friend decided to engage with this guy and entered into a lengthy dialogue. They both talked with one another and listened and exchanged views. Neither was changed by the encounter but two human beings met and shared conversation. Isn't that enough? How often we fear those who are different without even attempting to discover common ground.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
"They both talked with one another and listened and exchanged views."
ReplyDeleteTo me the rational, cordial sharing of views is a huge thing, Liz. Whether it's enough, I don't know. But it's sure a sturdy start.