2008 has been a funny one so far. Maybe it's due to my getting old or maybe it's simply the relative non-appearance of Summer, but it seems to me that this country is in a terrible old mess. Global pressures are playing their part - the huge increases in oil price and the 'sub-prime' collapse in the US, but it's more than that, it's a basic lack of decency coupled with the continuing collapse of the concept of community.
We no longer know or trust our neighbours, our existence is so insular that we suspect everyone, and the constant stream of news regarding knife crime and paedophiles for example only fuels this fire. I don't think these particular issues have really got worse in recent years, the figures however unreliable suggest not, but since we've cut ourselves off from those around us we begin to suspect everyone. I know I do, and I hate myself for it. It's time to get out there and meet people. I'm a pretty crappy Christian, the merits of which I don't intend to debate here, but at each service we do the 'peace be with you' bit. We spend a minute or two greeting those around us in church, shaking hands and wishing each other peace. I don't care whether you have faith or not, that's a bloody good idea.
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