Culture is a funny beast. It evolves. Those who have been going to church for a while (say for the past 50 years) know that once upon a time it was de rigueur for ladies to attend the Sunday Assembly with hat and long gloves. Suit and tie for gentlemen. It was the done thing.
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Good manners you see. Of late, there has been a creeping resurgence of period dramas. People must like that particular genre because those dramas seem to be produced in increasing quantities.
In the day, good manners were expected and those who choose to tread roughshod on protocol were cast into the outer darkness. Having said that, people back then did take things a bit too far sometimes and we are grateful offended parties (these days) don’t demand satisfaction with pistols at dawn (at 20 paces).
Speaking of offended parties, it is good to remember that when someone is hurt (especially if we are the offending party), we should apologise ASAP. We would like to think that this basic stuff is being taught at homes and schools throughout the country. Look, if someone says they are hurt by your words, here are some things one probably shouldn’t say: “Just take a spoonful of cement and harden up!”, “I wouldn’t be offended if someone said that to me!”.
The last statement is indicative that the offender still thinks it is all about them. It is not. When someone is offended, that hurt is real to them and really, it isn’t all about you. The Good Book reminds us that we should, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” (Philippians 2:3-4 NIV)
Pastor Simon Chen, Narromine Baptist Church
