The recent controversy about Meghan and Harry and the Royal family has revealed some interesting insights. They Royals are back in the headlines, and royal watching is just as popular a pastime as ever for may Australians.
After Meghan and Harry’s Oprah interview, issues arose about tensions in the relationships within the royal family. In fact, it’s an object lesson of the culture war. There were claims of Meghan being suicidal, questions over the colour of baby Archie’s skin, and it was revealed Meghan and Harry were married in a private ceremony 3 days earlier than their televised wedding. There were many parallels drawn between Diana and Meghan, and their relationship with the media.
In the UK, it has led to the cancelling of outspoken TV host Piers Morgan, who claimed he didn’t believe a word that Meghan said. And it has drawn calls for Australia to sever its constitutional ties with the British monarchy.
To help us make sense of these developments as Christians, Dr Kameel Majdali, who leads Teach all Nations, joined Neil Johnson to discuss some of the concerning global trends that we often talk about on 20Twenty.
Kameel believes that if we as Christians don’t understand the times, we won’t know what we need to do. “The culture war issue has come up again. This is the second time a British royal has married an American divorcee. In many ways, we are seeing history repeating itself, particularly as Harry withdraws from royal life. The culture war is everywhere.”
“The interview was aired when the Queen had a long pre-planned engagement, Commonwealth Day, and Prince Phillip was in hospital. The timing was really explosive.”
But Kameel also says that we always need to take compassion when it comes to mental illness or suicide. “We don’t take it lightly. This was Meghan’s experience in the royal family. But I still find it hard to believe that she didn’t know what she was getting into. We must balance what we hear. We don’t want to be manipulated by receiving a degree of truth but not the whole story. There is more than one side here.”
Kameel continues that it is concerning that the baby’s skin colour was brought up at all. The Queen leads the Commonwealth of 54 nations which is representative of many races. “To accuse the Queen of racism is a very serious thing. And I wonder, why did Harry tell Meghan when she was suffering so much already? Ultimately, I don’t believe the monarchy is racist.”
“Should they reveal the name of the person who said it? It certainly taints the whole family if they don’t. But it serves a purpose to keep it ambiguous. It could have been an offensive comment, but not malicious. But in today’s atmosphere its very potent. The concern is its spreading hate where it need not be.”
Kameel says that everyone has an opinion, and the British monarchy is certainly not losing its appeal. Americans are very invested, almost as much as people in the UK.
“The monarchy is a serious and sincere Christian institution, which is why it’s under attack. We are one in Christ. The Bible tells us that Jews verses Gentiles inflamed racial tension. But they learnt to find common ground because of Christ. We go to our churches now and there are various races one in Christ worshipping the same saviour.
We need to be reconcilers, people who stand on God’s truth which is the only truth worth knowing. What a wonderful antidote for the hatred in society today.”
Listen to the rest of Neil’s fascinating discussion with Dr Kameel Majdali below.
Tune into 20Twenty and join the conversation with Neil Johnson, weekdays on Vision Christian Radio. Click here for your local times.
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