 |
Feeling Safe
|
|
|
||
|
PB+ ResourcesAIDE MEMOIRE FOR THE MEETING HELD ON 14 NOVEMBER 2002Whilst the Protective Behaviours process stands as a useful tool in its own right, we would like to provide links with Christian teaching and stories for all ages to make it relevant to our context. There are points of difference between the philosophy of Protective Behaviours and the Christian faith. However, there is much that is compatible and helpful. The theological reflection on Theme 1 'We all have the right to feel safe all of the time' was an attempt to tease out some of the issues raised at the June meeting as to whether Christians can feel safe all of the time with God. It needs more work, but sparked some creative thinking. (A revised draft is included for your comments.) The right to feel safe all of the time continues to be problematic for some of us, since the fear of God is an important scriptural image which does not square immediately with some of the assumptions held by the Protective Behaviours philosophy. At the same time, the right to feel safe from the guilt and shame of sin because of the grace and forgiveness of God is an important part of the Christian message. Perhaps the language of safety element of Protective Behaviours could help the Church move away from laying unnecessary guilt on people. Then people might act out of freedom, rather than guilt, and find there a place of safety for their actions. The parable of the prodigal graphically illustrates the action of both sin and grace. One area requiring clarification is the definition of what is meant by the word safe. In some circumstances comfortable might be a better word. For some people, the concept of good might be equated with safe. If they are good then they'll go to heaven and therefore won't take risks in terms of their faith for fear of being excluded. The process provides a broad strategy to enable all ages, but more especially children and young people, to develop strategies and internalise skills that can help to live life to the full and have fun. Jesus promised life in all its fullness. This is especially important in a society that tends towards restricting activities that involve risk. Concerns about the safety of children and young people may remove, or subvert, the whole idea of adventure rather than helping the young to develop the necessary skills to deal sensibly and rationally with risk in life. In some cases, work with youth and children can resort to simulated adventure and role play to avoid any risk at all. At the same time as it seeks to minimize risk especially in the lives of the young , it is interesting to note that to a certain extent through the media our society promotes fear rather than safety and sees violence as entertaining. There is an inevitable tension between personal safety and risk and yet it is important to remember that we believe in a God who takes risks: in creation; in the incarnation; in giving humanity free will. Risking on purpose could provide the key to how Christians are called to live out their lives in a hostile or indifferent world, and how we sometimes approach our encounter with God, trusting that the depth of God's love means that the risk is for good rather than ill. Bonhöffer risked on purpose by joining the plot against Hitler in the belief that grace was stronger than sin. Julian of Norwich said that "Sin is behovely" in the sense that God can use it to draw humanity into a closer relationship with the persons of the Trinity. There are many other examples we could draw upon of Christians who risked on purpose. This strategy of risking on purpose is an important part of the Protective Behaviours process and together with our theological insights it could begin to unlock some of the fear that is around in our society. One way ahead for us may be to clarify, or broaden, the definition of risking on purpose, so that people can identify life's motivating factors which may range through the spectrum from getting a buzz to wanting to chill. That would encompass the whole range of Christian experience too from those who follow a calling to be missionaries to those who seek the life of a hermit. As a group we will begin work on the elements of the Protective Behaviours process, especially the seven strategies to identify more clearly the links between our faith and Protective Behaviours. A forum board will be posted for people to contribute their suggestions. Andrew Pattman
|
PB+ Documents |
|
|
|
|
|
Hosted and Managed by |