Homogeneity vs. Diversity

In spite of being the smallest communal unit of society, it is inevitable for quarrels and arguments to occur within a family. Worse still, more and more families are experiencing relational breakdown among immediate members today. Thus, it seems to have become almost mission impossible for people of different age, culture and worldview to live harmoniously together in a shared space, sharing a common life.

Because of the difficulty in tolerating diversity, people tend to gather together based on certain common features that they share, most commonly their age. Youths tend to spend more time with their friends than with their parents. Elderly people would rather spend time together with their elderly friends than with their children or grandchildren. As a result, there is little time spend among family members, and home becomes merely a physical shell where family members rest their heads at night.

Unfortunately, the Church is not at all helpful in this matter. Rather than addressing the issue, the Church is guilty of perpetuating the problem by establishing age-based group, such as youth fellowship, men fellowship and elderly people fellowship etc., hoping that such a move will cater the needs of people of different age groups.

Yet, when we establish age-based groups, we assume that people can best mix with others who are of their age, for surely they would have common concerns and topics of interest. However, it might be possible that elderly folks tend to spend time with other elderly people because people of the younger generation are unwilling to spare any time for them. Other than that, perhaps young people tend to spend more time with their friends because their parents are too busy with work and have no time to listen to their children's struggle?

On the contrary, if we do not group people based on homogeneity, but diversity, say a group of different families, it can better reflect the kingdom of God, for his kingdom is a kingdom that embraces and celebrates diversity. Furthermore, such a group will inevitably challenge the members of the group in their capacity to love, for it is more difficult to love people of a diverse group than a homogeneous group. Through diversity, God can increase our depth and capacity to love.

Lastly, perhaps Christians need to start looking at their family as the place where God's discipleship takes place. Rather than running away from the challenge, let us run towards diversity and embrace our differences in love.