Think-tank to launch ‘political’ World Cup Guide

-09/06/06

As host Germany prepare t


Think-tank to launch ‘political’ World Cup Guide

-09/06/06

As host Germany prepare to take on the might of Costa Rica at 5pm [UK time] in Munich this afternoon, launching the 2006 soccer World Cup before an audience of millions, the UK Christian think-tank Ekklesia will unveil its on-line alternative guide ñ for those who love the game, and for those who hate it.

ëGive Injustice the Red Cardí is an initiative to link people to research and resources on five key football-related ëpoliticalí issues on which people of faith and those simply of good faith can make a positive impact over the next four weeks.

The messages to be promoted by Ekklesia are: End sports-related labour exploitation;
tackle World Cup sex slavery; boot out economic inequality; send-off nationalist and religious aggression; and support Fair Trade football.

The answer to the problem in each case, says the think-tank and news service, is global vision and action. And the ëpoliticsí is of a broad, people-oriented kind ñ not about parties or in-fighting.

Among others, Ekklesia publicises reports and initiatives from Amnesty International, Labour Behind the Label / the Trades Union Congress, Oxfam, Christian Aid, CAFOD, Traidcraft and the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women.

ìWe deliberately wanted to look at how faith-based and secular organisations are working on common issues ñ in a world where religion is often a dividing factorî, says Ekklesia co-director Simon Barrow.

The ëGive Injustice the Red Cardí page will go ëliveí this afternoon, when the football has started. It also includes alternative gift ideas from Oxfam, World Vision, Traidcraft and others ñ and the ëPeacenikí store, associated with the newly-launched ISP that channels money to peacemaking causes, has produced a T-Shirt and mug to promote the initiative.

Says Barrow: ìThis is mainly about supporting what others are doing, rather than marketing our own wares. But hopefully people will notice that there is a Christian organisation promoting cooperation, rather than hopping on the in-your-face proselytism bandwagon that tempts many religious groups during big tournaments like this.î

Both Christian and Muslim groups are targeting Germany 2006 for converts, according to media reports. Ekklesia suggests that the first duty for people of faith in a plural world is to listen (so that what they say becomes a help rather than a threat) and to act for justice, peace and integrity.

ìPeople are fed up with being sold messages ñ whether religious, commercial or political ñ which donít seem to be matched by actions, or which simply deepen global divisions rather than opening up a vision of a healed world,î says Ekklesia.

Next month the think-tank will launch a book called Faith and Politics After Christendom, by Ekklesia co-director, Jonathan Bartley, which opens up ìa new deal for religion in public lifeî.

Rather than operating from a position of authority, power and protection, the Gospel of Jesus commends a subversive ethic of equality, peace, hospitality, forgiveness and generosity, Ekklesia claims. This in turn invites a new stance in public life ñ neither dominant nor privatised, but creatively engaged.

ìHopefully ëGive Injustice the Red Cardí is a simple example of this more associational, positive approach,î says Simon Barrow.

He concludes: ìWe are asking people in the churches and beyond to supplement their enjoyment (or avoidance) of the 2006 World Cup with awareness and action on issues of life and death which manifest themselves in the soccer world as well as outside it it. In some cases that means clicking to donate or sign a petition. In others, a good deal more.î

Meanwhile, many others are hopping onto the World Cup bus. including Tony Blairís media guru Alastair Campbell, who has sent out a message to supporters saying ìyou can follow [Englandís] progress on Labour’s website with myself and Sadiq Khan, MP for Tooting.î

On a holier note, football fan Fr David Cain, a Catholic priest is using part of Nottinghamís Roman Catholic Cathedral of St Barnabas complex as a ëWorld Cup Chapelí.

He says: ìAlthough, understandably many people will be fiercely cheering on their own nation, sport generally, and football in particular can provide a great bridge in promoting harmony between nations despite differences that exist in race, religion or politics.î

Other religious and community buildings might end up being a refuge for those who want to escape the soccer-fest. But TV pundits say that in a broadening multi-channel environment ìat least you can switch over rather than switching offî.

Or switch to ëGive Injustice the Red Cardí, suggests Ekklesia.

[Also on Ekklesia: ëGive Injustice the Red Cardí- under Ekklesia events; mugs and T-shirts; German churches to be peacemakers during World Cup, by Fran race; Fairtrade football – fair trade football gift ideas; Christians and Muslims score a goal against soccer racism; Will Baptist soccer bosses teach England’s Sven about crosses?; World Cup proves a football blessing to Iran; Hallowed be thy game]


Think-tank to launch ‘political’ World Cup Guide

-09/06/06

As host Germany prepare to take on the might of Costa Rica at 5pm [UK time] in Munich this afternoon, launching the 2006 soccer World Cup before an audience of millions, the UK Christian think-tank Ekklesia will unveil its on-line alternative guide ñ for those who love the game, and for those who hate it.

ëGive Injustice the Red Cardí is an initiative to link people to research and resources on five key football-related ëpoliticalí issues on which people of faith and those simply of good faith can make a positive impact over the next four weeks.

The messages to be promoted by Ekklesia are: End sports-related labour exploitation;
tackle World Cup sex slavery; boot out economic inequality; send-off nationalist and religious aggression; and support Fair Trade football.

The answer to the problem in each case, says the think-tank and news service, is global vision and action. And the ëpoliticsí is of a broad, people-oriented kind ñ not about parties or in-fighting.

Among others, Ekklesia publicises reports and initiatives from Amnesty International, Labour Behind the Label / the Trades Union Congress, Oxfam, Christian Aid, CAFOD, Traidcraft and the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women.

ìWe deliberately wanted to look at how faith-based and secular organisations are working on common issues ñ in a world where religion is often a dividing factorî, says Ekklesia co-director Simon Barrow.

The ëGive Injustice the Red Cardí page will go ëliveí this afternoon, when the football has started. It also includes alternative gift ideas from Oxfam, World Vision, Traidcraft and others ñ and the ëPeacenikí store, associated with the newly-launched ISP that channels money to peacemaking causes, has produced a T-Shirt and mug to promote the initiative.

Says Barrow: ìThis is mainly about supporting what others are doing, rather than marketing our own wares. But hopefully people will notice that there is a Christian organisation promoting cooperation, rather than hopping on the in-your-face proselytism bandwagon that tempts many religious groups during big tournaments like this.î

Both Christian and Muslim groups are targeting Germany 2006 for converts, according to media reports. Ekklesia suggests that the first duty for people of faith in a plural world is to listen (so that what they say becomes a help rather than a threat) and to act for justice, peace and integrity.

ìPeople are fed up with being sold messages ñ whether religious, commercial or political ñ which donít seem to be matched by actions, or which simply deepen global divisions rather than opening up a vision of a healed world,î says Ekklesia.

Next month the think-tank will launch a book called Faith and Politics After Christendom, by Ekklesia co-director, Jonathan Bartley, which opens up ìa new deal for religion in public lifeî.

Rather than operating from a position of authority, power and protection, the Gospel of Jesus commends a subversive ethic of equality, peace, hospitality, forgiveness and generosity, Ekklesia claims. This in turn invites a new stance in public life ñ neither dominant nor privatised, but creatively engaged.

ìHopefully ëGive Injustice the Red Cardí is a simple example of this more associational, positive approach,î says Simon Barrow.

He concludes: ìWe are asking people in the churches and beyond to supplement their enjoyment (or avoidance) of the 2006 World Cup with awareness and action on issues of life and death which manifest themselves in the soccer world as well as outside it it. In some cases that means clicking to donate or sign a petition. In others, a good deal more.î

Meanwhile, many others are hopping onto the World Cup bus. including Tony Blairís media guru Alastair Campbell, who has sent out a message to supporters saying ìyou can follow [Englandís] progress on Labour’s website with myself and Sadiq Khan, MP for Tooting.î

On a holier note, football fan Fr David Cain, a Catholic priest is using part of Nottinghamís Roman Catholic Cathedral of St Barnabas complex as a ëWorld Cup Chapelí.

He says: ìAlthough, understandably many people will be fiercely cheering on their own nation, sport generally, and football in particular can provide a great bridge in promoting harmony between nations despite differences that exist in race, religion or politics.î

Other religious and community buildings might end up being a refuge for those who want to escape the soccer-fest. But TV pundits say that in a broadening multi-channel environment ìat least you can switch over rather than switching offî.

Or switch to ëGive Injustice the Red Cardí, suggests Ekklesia.

[Also on Ekklesia: ëGive Injustice the Red Cardí- under Ekklesia events; mugs and T-shirts; German churches to be peacemakers during World Cup, by Fran race; Fairtrade football – fair trade football gift ideas; Christians and Muslims score a goal against soccer racism; Will Baptist soccer bosses teach England’s Sven about crosses?; World Cup proves a football blessing to Iran; Hallowed be thy game]