VIEWPOINTS
“Agree to Differ, Resolve in Love” An Interview with Rev Dr Eric So
Rev Dr Eric So was ordained as a pastor in 1988, and served as General Secretary of Hong Kong Christian Council from 1999 to 2005. He has since been General Secretary of Hong Kong Council of the Church of Christ in China(HKCCCC), overseeing the operation of more than 50 branch churches, about 40 primary and secondary schools, and at least five kindergartens. Article from "News and Views, Hong Kong Christian Council, 3rd Quarter 2019 Issue"
What has been the most profound scene for you in these past four months of protests? There have been several profound scenes in my mind, mostly from TV. Of course, there were the two mass demonstrations on 9 June and 16 June. In fact, I was trying to get to a prayer meeting held in Causeway Bay before one of those marches, but I was stuck at Admiralty. I called the organisers and apologised that I didn’t think I could make it. Then on 1st of July, the radical protesters entered the Legislative Council building by force. I watched the scenes on live broadcast for hours from the time they entered and destroyed many facilities of the building. As the conflicts and violence have continued, even escalated all over the city, my deepest feeling is sadness. I don’t understand why this has happened. Of course, there are different reasons people feel so angry, but in Hong Kong, we are a modern civilised city. I could not imagine that people express their anger in this way. I have never seen this before. This was a shock to me.
What is the situation in the churches in Hong Kong? It is another big challenge to the unity of the Hong Kong Church. The views and positions on either side– whether on the Bill or the measures or the attitude expressed by the government - are really divided among Christians. Depending on the church leadership and the minister, there are different degrees of conflict. For example, there may be a church where the minister is sympathetic to the protesters, but the members are not. They ask the pastor not to talk too much on these controversial issues but stick to teaching the Bible as the core ministry. Another church may have one-third to one-half of the members who are young people. The minister, however, is not in support of the violent protests. During one sermon, a group of young people walked out from the service to express their feelings. The division and brokenness have already occurred. One side thinks that this is the time to voice out for democracy and stand with the young people. The other side thinks the Extradition Bill by its nature was not so bad as those protesters thought. Of course, the government process on the bill should have taken a better way, not rush, take a slow process to listen to more views from the public and different groups. Unfortunately, however, when one side regards the other as wrong, then their position becomes either you stand with me or we won’t spend any more time to try to understand your view or to dialogue. As a church, we should be more rational and take a more peaceful way of settling our disagreements. We need to experience our oneness in Christ. And we should not use any violence. Makeshift prayer alter set up by protestors. Photo by Thomas Au.
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INSiGHT | February 2020
