Commun...

Had a chat to some friends today and we got to discussing communication in community, of course after the obligatory discussion about the weekend's football action. Whilst having this discussion a very basic concept hit me in the face. It is so basic a concept that we often over look it. Community, Communication, Commune, Communion, Commonwealth, etc. are all words built on the same root word.

When we are in community we share something in common. When we communicate we share seeking to find common ground. A commune is a group of people living in community sharing ownership and the division of labour. Communion is the people of God sharing together in a common activity and relating to God. A Commonwealth is where the wealth of a nation is considered to be held in common by all the people.

Obviously that is a gross simplification of each of those concepts but the simplicity of their connection hides the challenge inherent in the idea of commonality.

In community it is much easier to find that which divides rather than that which we have in common. In communication it is easier to argue over a slight difference than seek to find the common ground. In the Christian traditions how we do Communion (or don't do it) can be one of the biggest points of conflict between us. In our Commonwealth we do a good job of dividing the nation rather than uniting around our common values, ideals and beliefs (in a non-Howardian way).

Tomorrow I am going to try to spend the whole day looking for what I have in common with the people around me. Why don't you try it as well? I would love to hear how you get on in the comments.

What I read today:

Who would Jesus smackdown?

A Prayer ritual shared in religion and football