Choices

It's getting to that time of year again for deep sunsets and the occasional vibrant rainbow. Anyone who has read any of my blog or followed my thinking will know that this time of year is special. Rainbows show a promise, and sunsets show the day is ended, or almost ended. The sunset is our warning of the end of the daylight.

Sometimes I wonder what we are doing as a society with the days we have at our disposal. Do we use them wisely? Unlike the animal kingdom, we are blessed with the ability to make choices which rise above our basic instincts. We can choose to let things happen around us. Things which make a difference to the lifestyle we have come to know and respect, and which may even alter things in a way that would be detrimental. In other words, we choose to do nothing.

We live in a multicultural and diverse society, and that can be a very good thing. However, has it ever struck you that the very vocal minority air their views without fear, and with the express wish to change things in their favour, when the silent majority is just that. Silent. We choose silence, rather than defend our moral traditions. We are encouraged by law and modern morality to show compassion, tolerance and to compromise for the common good of all. These foundations are deep in the British and Scottish mindset, and put there for the most part by sound religious history and teaching. In our effort to compromise, we must be sure we don't throw the baby (very apt at Christmastime) out with the bathwater!

Politicians are agreed that we face 'tough choices' ahead because of the credit crunch, and I would equally suggest that we also face tough choices if we are to maintain, or even keep some of our mainstream traditions. It is said often that religion has caused many wars and divisions. The truth is that religion (or more correctly, faith) has united more than it has ever divided!