Some of the more striking images this week have been of rioters, now alone in the dock of a court, being sentenced to imprisonment. The contrasts are striking. Previously, emboldened by the mob, they were full of bravado when confronted by police officers but now they are isolated and full of regret at being led astray by their emotions.
It can be a good experience to be part of a crowd. At football matches I have shared the emotional highs and lows and be glad to be carried along with others. But there are dangers; when a crowd gets excited, the quiet voices of reasons are often not heard, with results that have been obvious over the last week.
Emotion, magnified by a group, has always been part of religious experience. The Bible has many accounts of groups and crowds sharing in powerful experiences. But there are also warnings. In the Old Testament, prophets confront the mob and its ring leaders and challenge their actions. New Testament writers also warn of false prophets, of listening to rumours and not testing the spirits behind any message. Today, when every time I switch on my computer I am confronted with so-called “warnings” and social media is full of lies, the wisdom of these writers is needed more than ever.
Rev David Poyner