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A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with Ruth Wilde, National Coordinator of the Inclusive Church

Good morning.

Today is the birthday of the Icelandic singer Bjork. She’s responsible for one of my all-time favourite lyrics: ‘I thought I could organise freedom. How Scandinavian of me!’

Bjork seems to be a marmite kind of singer. My wife and I have few real disagreements on music, but when it comes to her, we have a big problem! I love her and Ellie can’t stand her. Where I hear originality, Ellie hears noise. Where I hear an interesting use of an unusual instrument, Ellie hears a horrible bassoon-like pointless meander. When it comes to Bjork, beauty really is in the eye – or ear – of the beholder. When it comes to Bjork, we have to agree to disagree.

A recent study of 13- to 25-year-olds – the group popularly termed ‘Gen Z’ – showed that they do not like to agree to disagree. They apparently have a lot less tolerance than other generations for people with different opinions. Some people are even now calling this generation the Young Illiberal Progressives (or YIPs for short). It’s a generation which is incredibly tolerant and progressive when it comes to difference in one way – accepting, for example, gender difference and multiculturalism without any problem – but which can be intolerant in another.

Is there a balance to be had between standing up for what we believe – as Gen Zers do – and remaining in communion (as Christians might say) with those with whom we disagree? One of my mentors taught me the importance of the two-hands approach to peace and justice work: holding one hand up as a firm ‘no!’ to stop those would harm others, but also holding the other out with palm upturned as an invitation, as she put it, ‘to you as a person’.

God of all creation, break down barriers as we seek to do your will.

Amen.