His subject had been ‘Can Christians and Jews ever understand each other?‘, but as I explained to the aforementioned lady, a subject is as interesting as the speaker not the other way around. Mr. Lawton certainly comes in that category, articulate, witty and always both interesting and thought provoking. Those who have heard him before will always want to return for more.

The two religious groups could learn from each other. Christians were most knowledgeable of biblical texts, particularly the Prophets. Jews used texts as a basis for interpretation and there were often different explanations - sometimes contradictory. He said that the fact that there were four Gospels showed a Jewish influence! This point provoked a question that led into the theology to which I referred at the beginning of this article.

Mr. Lawton said that theologically speaking Jews were closer to Muslims, but, as far as Christians were concerned, differences should be a springboard for more engaged discussion. He also spoke of Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist approaches in a talk of which this article only describes a brief part. He had began by reminding us that we are all descended from a common ancestor. The Council of Christians and Jews - now 60 years old gave reassurance that members of the two religions were not an utterly different species.

Clive Lawton had spent 10 years in Liverpool. While there, he had been asked to join a ‘dialogue group’ by the then Anglican Bishop of Liverpool Dr. David Shepherd. This group also included the late Roman Catholic Archbishop Derek Worlock. Dr. Shepherd said that the idea was that he particularly wanted to discuss “the difficult bits”. With a speaker of Clive Lawton’s calibre, the “difficult bits” become that much easier.

We are indeed fortunate in the C.C.J. in the high standard of speakers. Right up there with the most eloquent, is the Director of the C.C.J. herself, Sister Margaret Shepherd nds. Sister Margaret will be giving a talk entitled “Religious Life Today” about the evolution of the modern convent and monastery from the days of the Audrey Hepburn film ‘The Nun’s Story’ (of somewhat more substance than ‘The Sound of Music’!) to the current day (Sister Margaret dresses as we do). This will take place on Thursday 3rd October at 8p.m. at Our Lady of the Rosary R.C. Church, Gresham Road, Staines.

If you are interested in becoming a C.C.J. member, please contact our local branch secretary, Carole Greville-Giddings on 020 8979 6592."

Source: The Spire Magazine - 2002 July