I 'get' where they are coming from but I completely disagree.
What impressed me:
In fact I was impressed with some of the video shown at Live 8 of performers actually going to the poverty ravaged places in Africa for whom the concert will benefit. I listened to Kanye West mention that he is likely to get sued for dropping a concert in order to play at Live 8. I watched videos that showed artists among the prostitutes of impoverished nations talking with them about the need for something better and encouraging them to avoid that lifestyle. Then I observed this: "The raucous crowd fell silent when Live 8 organizer Bob Geldof replayed Live Aid footage of dying Ethiopians. After freezing on the image of a girl on the verge of death, the same person, a now healthy Birhan Woldu, was introduced on stage." [Read more of Birhan's story here] This young woman is now getting an Agriculture degree! Please don't say it doesn't work. It worked for her.
1984
2004
It's so easy for us to sit back with meat on our bones in front of computers worth $1-3,000 and say "Live 8 can't do anything... The church is where it's at." That's true and false at the same time. Yes the church CAN change the world but NO the church isn't changing the world at least not in much of the African world. (I know that American Christianity probably has a few hundred missionaries over there however I also know that your denomination probably only recognizes the 15 you "sponsor".)
If the church spent time focusing on poverty and helping to cure disease at least two things would happen:
1. You'd see more followers of Christ.
2. You wouldn't need Live 8.
Is the Live 8 plan perfect? No.
- Africa is the only continent which is more poor today than it was 25 years ago.
- Africa is plagued with an incredible amount of political corruption.
- War has continued in parts such as the Sudan for years where millions are slaughtered over religion.
- Money can't immediately solve these problems.
So no, Live 8 is not perfect and neither are the performers (or critics). We're so blind though if we wait for the perfect relief to come along.
George Washington once wrote to Alexander Hamilton towards the end of the Constitutional Convention: " ... In a word I almost despair of seeing a favourable issue to the proceedings of the Convention, and do, therefore, repent having any agency in the business." He wrote these words regretting his participation to Alexander Hamilton after 'compromise' swept through the halls. Do you know what that compromise was that Washington thought to be so terrible? It's what we now call "The Great Compromise", a congress divided into the House and Senate where the Senate has 2 representatives from each state and the House is comprised of a representation based on the population of each state. This compromise allowed for the ratification of the Constitution, the very governmental bedrock upon which this country is built.
I'm honestly glad that the men at the Constitutional Convention didn't wait for perfection to come along before putting our governmental system in place.
Pride is a problem in Christ's Church:
As time speeds by, change is ever-increasing, and technology & transportation continue to develop, people around the world become closer neighbors. Christians can wake up and become more aware of how to 'love their neighbor' or they can keep their blinders on to these world issues and keep doing what they're doing. The last time I checked Christianity (as a whole) hasn't tried to tackle something like poverty in Africa on any substantial scale. The reality is yes, we do have the ability to make a huge dent through the Church. The problem (read: disgrace) is that if we seriously tried to organize all Christ-followers we would see the worst that humanity has to offer in the form of "Christian" leaders who would refuse to work with "that guy" or "those people". This week rappers, rockers, republicans and democrats displayed a ridiculous amount of unity around a cause we should embrace... human life.
While we argue over theological differences we make no practical or spiritual difference.
There has to be more to our faith than this.
There has to be more to our faith than this.
4 comments:
Great review of Live 8! We as Christ Followers need to show more compassion. Your right, if the church was the church, no need for Live 8!
I agree with your thoughts. I think the real challenge in Africa is, not so much the poverty, but the political corruption (as you put it). Countries have been sending millions upon millions of dollars in support over the decades, but because of the leadership, it doesn't get to those who need it the most. But I think we still have to act, especially as Christians, or nothing will get done. Perhaps actions will put a spotlight on these leaders and force change...
I agree. To be honest I was a little disheartened because the Church should be the ones putting on an event like this, but instead some so called leaders in the church are so disconnected with what God really wants to do that they would gripe and complain. They probably complain when non belivers show up at their church on Sunday's too.
Rotary International took on Polio several years ago and polio is on its way out now (still a little bit to do, but going down). They claim to be the largest service organization in the world - kinda sad when Rotarians can claim that title and no one refutes it.
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