Recognising bias

17 Nov 2022 • From Bishop Richard Jackson

Bishop Richard starts this week's video by quoting the writer Pamela Fuller, who said “to be human is to have bias”.  He goes on to explain that each culture has its own innate biases and that bias can take a variety of forms, for example negativity bias, confirmation bias, primary bias, and affinity bias. 'These shortcuts can be a boon for busy people however, unacknowledged, they lead to a distortion of the facts, inaccurate judgements, and sheer injustice.  We can't really avoid them, but we need to be aware of them if we are to be a community that models justice.'

Bishop Richard continues: 'Jesus deliberately chose a group of disciples with hugely different experiences and outlooks. Their discernment was better as a result.'

'As we approach the Feast of Christ the King this weekend, we seek afresh to submit ourselves to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  Discerning what obedient submission looks like is a corporate activity as we gather around God’s Word together.  The more voices and outlooks are allowed space at the table, the more likely we are to judge truly what it looks like to proclaim the faith afresh to this generation.'

For transcripts, visit the Bishop of Hereford's Message section of the diocesan website.