The threat of indifference

by LS Lowry
This painting by LS Lowry (1887-1976) symbolises for me the cataclysm created by the industrial society; busy worker bees hastening through the streets to their work or home, living to work!  No time to give to chance encounters on the streets and be open to others. A chance glance at my book of quotations brought up this disturbing quote, by Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881):"If Jesus Christ were to come today, people would not even crucify him. they would ask him to dinner, and hear what he had to say, and make fun of it".

 Nothing much has changed in the two centuries after this was written; Sometimes I still feel that at a dinner party it is not so chic to talk about one's faith to nonbelievers. this makes it all the more crucial to show how christianity can give back humanity to the human race. It is all about caring, Jesus cared for us by giving up his life in a most cruel way.It is time for us to accept this gift and re form loving caring neighbourly communities. In these times of crisis, it warms my heart when someone takes the time to talk and enquire how one is doing. To receive a helping hand when you feel unable to cope. the gestures will provide the stepping stones to continue.

In the words of George Bernard Shaw, English playwright  (1856-1950): "The worst sin towards our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them: that's the essence of inhumanity"

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