Thought for the Week

ONE of my favourite quotes is from the great German philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche.

It says: ‘And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.’

There has been much spoken and debated these past months about the EU referendum, and this morning we will waken to know if we are still in the EU or not.

Opinions have been passionate on both sides and often it has all become just a bit too extreme.

Sadly there has been much discourteous debate and many people have been hurt in the crossfire of scathing words and vicious rhetoric. Today we will know if we are ‘in’ or ‘out’. Whatever the result, there will be winners and losers; there will be those who are pleased and those who are most displeased.

Some will be dancing to a different tune and others will think they are insane for they do not hear the same music.

However, I hope and pray that whatever the result, we will learn to be more tolerant of each other, to be more gracious in debate, to be more interested in offering a kind word rather than insisting on the last word.

But most of all I pray that we will be a kinder society, a country that welcomes those in need; a country that stands beside the oppressed, the dispossessed and the marginalised.

I pray that those in power will use that power wisely and with integrity, that all people will have the basic human rights of safety, food, good housing, healthcare and education.

These are the prayers of Christians, Jews, and Muslims and many more, who strive for peace.

Let us mark this day, whatever the result, as one in which we will revive and renew our commitment to peace.