49 – Sofia 49

Editorial

SF ron Cover photo is a still from the film “Priest” « no conferring (or what's the big idea?) Maybe we should stop holding annual conferences. Take leave of Leicester. Abandon our ritual mix of lectures (Don plus two), workshops, alternative liturgies, late night theological brawls at the bar, films (when the film organiser remembers to bring them), circle dancing, losing our way to the base groups, and all the other timehallowed traditions.

No conferring, as Jeremy Paxman might say.

That may seem a bizarre suggestion, coming as it does immediately after what by common consent of almost all the participants I talked to was one of the best SoF conferences we've ever had: Don at his clearest, Ruth Robinson at her most moving, David Paterson at his most inspirational, workshops in their widest range of diversity, and even the sound system working almost all the time. Put an end to conferences now? I can't be serious!

But... Let's ask ourselves: do we want to be doing the same thing in ten year's time? Or five?

Can't we think of something sexier than conferences, something with more of that "Yessss!" factor which some members are seeking but not finding in today's safe sects? established festivals (of literature, poetry, music), so that we became that festival's fringe, and it became ours. With luck and foresight, we'd find a university or similar site where many of us could be accommodated, but we'd also cater for those who'd prefer to B&B, or camp out. Some would come for the whole week, picking and chosing from the range of activities offered. Others would drop in for a day or two, or for a single event.

And while we're in the mood for being creative, thinking the impossible, dreaming dreams, can't we generate new ways of clarifying our own thinking about what we are up to? How about a SoF think-tank? A group of women and men charged with the task of applying what Bishop Richard Holloway calls "Godless morality" to the Big Questions. Our think-tank might include a SoF Commission investigating and reporting on the pros and cons of religious schools, another on religious representation in the House of Lords, another designed to help us get to grips with the bewildering array of ethical problems arising from the new advances in genetics - all of them highly topical issues of direct interest and relevance to religious humanists, on which, as yet, we have found absolutely nothing to say together. No, I don't mean an elite group of thought-controllers given the task of ns § tei Ss Whiat to think or do, but groups Aren't we supposed to be the creative network?

The Channel Four of religious networks, with a remit for innovation, and a penchant for breaking the rules and outwitting the regulators? Can't we think of something sexier than conferences, something with more of that "Yessss!" factor which some members are seeking but not finding in today's safe sects?

Well, here's a thought... Instead of an annual Conference, why not a Festival? A week-long mix of talks, discussions, debates, poetry-readings and writings, music (live and recorded), films, drama, painting, interfaith chat rooms, philosophy, writers’ and artists’ workshops, ethical quandaries, liberation theologies, organising task forces to run soup kitchens, save whales, occupy Menwith Hill, re-envision gods, meditate, contemplate, ruminate, live in community...

Why not?

Our very own Festival of Light could be cunningly scheduled to run alongside one of the of specialists who will help clarify the issues for us, and help us make informed choices.

And one more Big Idea. Let's learn to celebrate our much-vaunted diversity. That means encouraging each other to "explore and promote" in ways which suit our different needs, temperaments and skills. It means not saying "Thou shalt not..." when some in the Network want to move forward by asking questions, testing hypothetical propositions, taking stands. And it means not insisting that everyone in the Network is obliged to move forward, ask questions, debate propositions, take any stand at all. We are a very mixed lot. That is our problem, but it could also be our salvation.

But maybe these big ideas are not big enough for you. Maybe you have bigger ones. Maybe you can be more creative, more imaginative, more inspiring. If so, give us your Big Idea. We can turn our sea of faith into a sea of ideas and experiments, visions and revisions.