Comments on: On the offensive

By: Anne Peat

Anne Peat — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 15:06:11 +0000

I’m not offended by this action as a Christian, because a poppy is not a Christian symbol. It’s a symbol of civic remembrance of those who died in war, particularly those who died in the two World Wars (1914-18, and 1939-45). I regret that someone did it because of the reasons you cite – it gives offence to those for whom Remembrance Sunday is an emotional and poignant experience. If I were to be offended as a Christian it would be because those people have been hurt, and Christians are called to mourn with those who mourn.

I don’t think you ought to castigate yourself for not being offended easily enough. It took a lot to offend Jesus, and he was not offended at all by slights to himself or to symbols of his faith. What offended him was causing hurt to children, being rude and dismissive to those without power, judging others harshly, misrepresenting the love of God, oppressing people with rules and regulations. Those are the only things Christians ought to be offended by, in my opinion.

By: preachersa2z

preachersa2z — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 14:52:53 +0000

In reply to John Hamilton. Thanks John. I think sometimes we let the truly offensive things slip past...whilst we rant about the ones which don't really matter!

By: John Hamilton

John Hamilton — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 14:40:11 +0000

A good dose of your usual wise common sense, Richard.
So I have re-posted on Facebook under the title:
When and how should Christians be offended?
John

By: Pam Smith

Pam Smith — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 10:34:26 +0000

I agree Richard.

We seem to have got to a position where doing something which causes someone to be offended is seen as a crime.

Being offended is a subjective experience and to an extent something we have to learn to live with if we’re going to survive in a world where everyone doesn’t necessarily agree with our definition of what is offensive.

There’s a fine line between being resilient and being insensitive of course. But I’m not clear at what point I acquired the apparent right never to be offended by anything.