Fighting over Skeletons

Our damaged Cathedral

I live in the city of Christchurch, New Zealand. In September 2010 we suffered the first in a series of devastating earthquakes. We have experienced more than 10,500 quakes and aftershocks; thankfully they are diminishing now, some days we no longer experience any aftershocks. On the 22nd February 2011 the city was torn apart by 6.3 quake that had its epicenter just a few kilometers from the heart of the C.B.D 185 people were killed, mostly in collapsed buildings, some were killed as they ran back into buildings in an attempt to recover their property, a few others were killed simply because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time.

New Zealand is a small country, with a population of about 4,000,000. To say that entire country was shocked is an understatement, the grief was palatable, and the outpouring of love and help was instant and deeply appreciated. Our closest neighbor, Australia, was here with help, almost before the dust settled, and many other nations sent rescue teams, practical help and large monetary donations.

This love and care carried all of us through the early days, sustained us if you will. More than half of the buildings in the central city were destroyed, or have been subsequently demolished. The demolition of one building has divided our ravaged citizenry more than any other building.

Christ-Church Anglican (Episcopalian) Cathedral was built in the early years of the city's development, and was completed by the beginning of the 20th century. Since completion the building has been the heart of the city. It's arguably the most photographed building in New Zealand, and features prominently in the city logo; it's the most visible sign of New Zealand's Christian roots.  Sadly, the cathedral became the most public "victim" of the earthquakes, and it's currently being "deconstructed" P.R speak for demolished.

The destruction of the cathedral has turned into a very public spat, the issue has split along sectarian lines; with three very clearly defined camps. The church authorities (mostly) want the building to "deconstructed" the civil authorities (mostly) are sitting on the fence, and a powerful, well funded group want to see it restored.

The Wizard

Then there's the Wizard... yes we have an official wizard in our city and for 20 years or more he has been a tourist attraction, right outside of the cathedral; now he wants the building restored to its former Gothic-Revival style and glory.     

The wizard, a self declared atheist,  misogynist and arch enemy of Ray Comfort (the now well known evangelist, in the early days of his ministry, before he re-located to America) has become the champion of the cry to save the cathedral. The bitter irony of the situation is almost laughable; the church authorities want to pull the building (the sign of its visible presence in the city) down, and the atheist wants to save it. The church authorities do have a plan to build a temporary cathedral on another site, but this plan has attracted almost as much vitriol as the decision to destroy the cathedral.   

This "fighting over the skeleton" of the cathedral is sadly so typical of much of Christianity. As its presence declines in Western Civilization we are descending into sectarian camps, and we often fail to see that our divisions are tearing apart the very fabric of Christianity itself. We are bitterly split on the issues of the day. We cannot find any agreement on gay marriage, gay and or female priests, abortion, racial issues, interaction with other religions, euthanasia of the terminally ill, youth vs elderly in ministry, and a host of other issues. We have allowed issues to devastate the Body of Christ.  

There are about 38,000 denominations in the Christian world today, and yet we condemn Muslims for their 2 principal waring factions! It's not that long ago the Christians were burning dissenting believers at the stake! As it's no longer possible to leave our own country and establish a new colony in a distant outpost viz. the Pilgrim Fathers of North America, don't you think that it's about time the we just got along with each other and carried out the work that Christ commanded us to? 

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.  Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age". Matthew 28:16-20 (N.I.V)