England is a Christian country. You might not think that if you only looked at television or read the newspaper headlines. But faced with a crisis or a tragedy, the overwhelming response of people in this country is sympathy, generosity, and a refusal to hate. “Don’t Look Back in Anger” sang the crowds in Manchester.  You do not see mobs paint-bombing mosques or fire-bombing council offices. You see candle-lit vigils, walls of heartfelt graffiti, mountains of donated goods, selfless effort from medical and emergency services, kindness and compassion everywhere.

This exemplary response can be observed right across society, in people of all religions and none. It’s not only, or principally, Christians who behave in this way – perhaps Christianity’s work is largely done, as people have learnt to behave as Jesus did:  showing tolerance, thinking of others, not hating their enemies, going the extra mile, giving the shirt off their back, laying down their lives.

But what about the anger? I hear you cry. What about all the furious headlines following the Grenfell Tower catastrophe, demanding an answer, demanding that heads roll and blame be apportioned and action taken? What’s Christian about that?

Well, surprisingly, that’s Christian too. Jesus wasn’t only about turning the other cheek. He also went into the bustling heart of capitalism in Jerusalem, turned over the traders’ tables and drove them out. He was full of righteous anger at those who exploited the poor and vulnerable for their own gain.  So we’re just doing what Jesus did.

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