Written by Valentina Tollick

12/12/2007
22:24

Ok, so talking to Nick about social class has got me thinking. I am not aware iof any situation in which the social class you are a part of has any impact. I am not even sure which calss the majority of my friends would be in. The class system appears to have all but died out, it is evident sometimes when in discussion about upbringing, but even in that situation 'class' can differ between siblings, or at least the class they appear to be a part of. When talking to people, the majority are very similar, with many similar backgrounds. For example, many 'middle class' families have children who work in service the service industry, e.g. Mcdonalds, or a shop, just as there are many 'working class' families with children who go on to university, to become civil servants, to work in management or as doctors, and these 'working class' are actually doing a 'middle class' job.

In my opinion, this blurring of status and attitude of social acceptance cannot be a negative thing. In my experience it is actually those who seem to be neither middle or working class, or both, who are most welcoming and accepting of people. Perhaps this diversity is a product of more people going to university, of moving around and of general lifestyle changes.

As christians, I think we should embrace this change in society, for isn't it exactly how Jesus acted? He spoke to rich and poor alike, including both Pharisees and tax collectors. By removing the class snobbery and stigma around certain jobs, areas etcetera, maybe more Christians will learn humility and a servant heart, and become more like Jesus in that way.

After all, isn't acceptance of everyone and a life of service what we as Christians are called to live out in our everyday life?