A holy man at ease with his alter-ego
Susan Flockhart gets a refreshing dose of liberalism from a bishop with a different approach to faith
Sep 24, 2000
She's young, she's pretty, with a smile so bright, you gotta wear shades. Greta Greenwood, whose pearly grin currently adorns 15,000 billboards UK-wide, is a woman with a mission - and it has nothing to do with shaming us all to the dentist for a scale and polish. The Knightsbridge Sunday School teacher is the new face of Alpha: the ecumenical, evangelical Christian movement which has launched a £1m recruitment drive designed to confound the downward trend in Church-going.
The Downward Trend in Church-Going
After two decades of congregational disintegration, only 7.5% of us are regular pew-sitters - a figure some predict will drop to 0.5% in 40 years. Undaunted, Alpha - whose famous "Alpha Course" aims to bring millions of non-church-goers to Jesus - claims two million graduates worldwide, and says 6% of Brits have either taken the course or know someone who has. Famous devotees include Tory politician Jonathan Aitken and former Page Three girl Samantha Fox but in selecting the face that would lead the nation to God, Alpha opted for the girl next door. "We wanted to put forward the image of the kind of nice-looking people who are on the courses," said Jon Millington, director of poster creators, Button Design. The approach has fueled criticism that Alpha appeals directly to the lonely by hinting at the social and, whisper it, even romantic potential of its happy-clappy sessions.
A Different Approach to Faith
Here in Scotland, birthplace of the Enlightenment, a man of the cloth is talking the kind of language which might just have a chance of bridging the gulf between the God-fearing and the Godless - if only the narrow-minded would stop writing him off as "the barmy bishop". Yes, I am talking about Bishop Holloway, the Scots head of the Anglican church who is always in the traditionalists' bad books for his habit of shooting from the lip: castigating opponents of women priests as "miserable buggers", speaking liberally about homosexuality, cannabis, and teenage sex.
Holloway's Road
The six-part series, Holloway's Road, starts on Tuesday with a journey around the bishop's spiritual roots, then travels to Drumcree and Jerusalem - both hot-beds of religious conflict. Religion, says Holloway, can be dangerous. When he says peace and reconciliation will only be achieved if people "of all religions and none" work together, Holloway is the first churchman I've heard publicly acknowledging that non-believers have anything to contribute to the world. When he talks about "the God we have just abandoned", he sounds almost Nietzschean.
A New Perspective
Is Holloway saying God is dead? In a sense, I think he is, and no doubt he will shortly be lynched for it, since the tub-thumpers are unlikely to apply their brains to the complexity of the point he is making. And he admits trying to pin down what he means by "God" is "like wrestling with mercury". Indeed, Holloway says he has given up trying to "mentally image" God. "I don't think I ever thought of him as a big guy with a white beard, but as a child, I did have a sense of a superhuman being." Nowadays, Holloway no longer sees God as an entity at all, but "the originating mystery behind the universe". Churches, bibles, crucifixes, the various sects, and creeds devised to understand God will always be short of the mark of the thing they are trying to define.
A Different Path to Morality
Actions needn't be done in God's name to be moral - and conversely, those which are might turn out not to be moral at all. Ergo, religion is best kept out of the ethical debate. "You can be a good person and an atheist," says Holloway. "Many of the great campaigners for justice in our era have been such people. Maybe, for our generation, that is the way the God passion forms itself." For himself, the bishop who, as a child, "fell in love with the beauty of the ritual, the mystery behind the clouds of incense", admits he "can't kick" religion. He just can't pin it down.
Holloway's Legacy
Thank the Lord, thank humanity, that this sane, intelligent, and humane man - who managed to persuade a confirmed atheist like me that the gulf between us might not be unfathomable - is not about to disappear beneath the parapet. Holloway's practical, outward-looking humanitarianism is worlds away from the insularity of the kind of Christianity promoted by people like the Alpha movement, whose website offers a chance to "explore the meaning of life" and discuss the big questions.
The Intersection of Faith and Hospitality: Hotels Offer Spiritual Comfort
While religion and faith often serve as deeply personal matters, there is an increasing demand for hotel accommodations that cater to the spiritual needs of travelers. Hotels around the world have started to offer services and amenities to ensure that guests feel comfortable and supported in their religious beliefs.
Prayer Rooms and Places of Worship
Many hotels now provide prayer rooms or dedicated spaces for individuals to engage in religious practices. These spaces are designed to accommodate various faith traditions, allowing guests to pray, meditate, or simply find a moment of peace and reflection. Some hotels go a step further by providing on-site places of worship, such as chapels or prayer halls, where guests can attend religious services or ceremonies.
Dietary Restrictions and Rituals
Recognizing that guests may have specific dietary restrictions due to religious beliefs, hotels are increasingly offering halal, kosher, or vegetarian meal options. This ensures that individuals can adhere to their religious dietary requirements while enjoying their stay. Some hotels also have special arrangements for specific rituals, such as providing prayer mats or offering special meals during religious festivals.
Religious Texts and Services
To cater to the spiritual needs of guests, many hotels provide religious texts, such as Bibles, Qurans, or other sacred books, in guest rooms. Some hotels also offer services like arranging religious counseling or connecting guests with local religious leaders or communities for support or guidance.
Pilgrimage and Spiritual Retreats
For individuals seeking a more immersive spiritual experience, hotels in destinations known for pilgrimage or spiritual retreats offer specialized packages and services. These may include guided tours to religious sites, access to spiritual leaders, or wellness programs that incorporate meditation and mindfulness practices.
Promoting Inclusivity and Diversity
By providing these services and amenities, hotels aim to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for guests of all faiths. They recognize the importance of accommodating diverse religious practices and ensuring that guests can maintain their spiritual routines even when away from home.
A Growing Trend
As more individuals seek meaningful travel experiences that align with their spiritual beliefs, the demand for faith-friendly hotels is on the rise. Hotels that successfully cater to the spiritual needs of guests can create a unique niche in the hospitality industry, appealing to a broader range of travelers.