One line in the sumary of the report struck me because it tied in very much with my own thinking of late Most of the obstacles children face today are linked to the belief among adults that the prime duty of the individual is to make the most of their own life, rather than contribute to the good of others. (Children's Society)
As if to reenforce that argument I listened to a mother being interviewed on Radio 4. It was a short interview but I lost count of the times she said "I": not once did she mention her children.
Jesus hated individualism. He could have preached his message alone but he chose others to share in that mission. He talked about his followes as being Children of God - a God who loves them and cares for all their needs, spiritual, physical and emotional: not an absent God but one who is always present. Jesus talked of his Church as being a fellowship of people from all around the world., not a collection of individuals. If Jesus had looked to his own individual interests he could have avoided the cross, but he didn't. In the word of the report he contributed to the good of others.
It would be easy to condemn individualism, it is not condemnation that is required but compassion. The individualistic person is often unhappy deep down because they are operating in a mode that God never intended. Every so often that sadness may surface only to be supressed by a bit or "retail therapy."
The answer to individualism lies in allowing people to taste a better option; as Christians we believe we know what that option is.
The Children Society Report
As if to reenforce that argument I listened to a mother being interviewed on Radio 4. It was a short interview but I lost count of the times she said "I": not once did she mention her children.
Jesus hated individualism. He could have preached his message alone but he chose others to share in that mission. He talked about his followes as being Children of God - a God who loves them and cares for all their needs, spiritual, physical and emotional: not an absent God but one who is always present. Jesus talked of his Church as being a fellowship of people from all around the world., not a collection of individuals. If Jesus had looked to his own individual interests he could have avoided the cross, but he didn't. In the word of the report he contributed to the good of others.
It would be easy to condemn individualism, it is not condemnation that is required but compassion. The individualistic person is often unhappy deep down because they are operating in a mode that God never intended. Every so often that sadness may surface only to be supressed by a bit or "retail therapy."
The answer to individualism lies in allowing people to taste a better option; as Christians we believe we know what that option is.
The Children Society Report
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Wise, wise words. Thank you, David
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