I read with a sense of some concern the case of a nurse suspended from work for simply offering to pray for an elderly patient. Apparently such acts of kindness as sufficient grounds to have someone suspended from their work.
Boundary barmy?
Now don't get me wrong I believe that there should be professional boundaries, and that as Christians we must never abuse positions we hold at work to encourage people to consider Christianity - But on the face of it the case in question was simply a genuine offer of kindness. We live in a multicultural world, and I'm all for making sure that we don't cause offence to people, but how sad is it that people can't offer acts of kindness to one another?
That's lovely, but no thank you
I for one would not be offended if say a Moslem or a Hindu offered to pray for me, actually I'd be rather pleased they had asked. As a Christian in those circumstances I'd thank them for their kind thoughts but decline as I hold different beliefs to them (which I'd be happy to share if they showed an interest in knowing them).
Any colour as long as it's grey?
How crazy is it to live in a multi-faith, multi-cultural world if it means that no one can share anything of that faith or culture with anyone else as an act of care or concern?
No tea!
I can see the next memo from the powers-that-be, coming even as I write; "Please refrain from offering cups of tea to anyone when you meet, as it's well known that tea is a very British drink and so offering such a beverage opens up the risk of offending various diverse groups examples listed below:
- Americans, their national drink is coffee, to offer tea may open old wounds.
- Mormons, adherents to Mormonism are forbidden to drink stimulants.
- People from India, who may possibly feel you are making a colonialist stance.
- Vegans, who may be offended if you offer them tea with milk."
I'd laugh if it were not so sad!
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