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We continue here notes
on the lectures organised by our Vicar on topical issues that took place in
the Church Hall on five consecutive evenings last autumn.
The
fifth lecture: Christianity and Politics - Simon Hughes MP
Principal points
About the Speaker
First faith, second politics, third sport.
Background - Brought up in the Church in Wales; all for disestablishment.
It is wrong that the Queen has to be the Head of the Church; that the Prime
Minister appoints bishops and that there are 26 bishops in the House of
Lords, but not leaders of other faiths.
All Christians have a job to do: some are in politics, called politicians;
while others fight against injustice in other ways.
People must have the opportunity to choose what they want. There is no place
for forcing through a Christian agenda
Church schools? Unsure about it: unless we have them for Jews and Moslems
if they want them. If we have Church schools then there ought to be say 25
percent minimum Church places.
Politics should be the servant of society, subservient to the greater good.
You have to love people who you do not agree with.
The
power of prayer. We must pray together and work together to make public
life more honourable.
Unfairness: we do not live in a fair world. This is not what God wants.
Questions and answers
1.
What if you think you should do one thing and the Party tells you to do
something different?
Politics: the art of the possible. One could vote against the Party line
but you will then lose the support of others in the team. Prayer is
important in dealing with these situations.
2.
Is any war morally correct? When could a Christian politicians take a
country to war?
(Personal view) A war of defence or for the greater good, might be
correct. Iraq war? Thought we had not reached the end of the possibilities
to avoid war. But there is a duty to respect the decision taken.
3.
The poor and taxes
The
Labour Party has stopped being the Party of the redistribution of wealth.
The Christian principle is to share our resources. Council tax is unfair.
Are there enough prophetic voices in and the Church? The Church is good at
pastoral work but does not convey a feeling of urgency in the matter of
social justice.
4.
Agriculture and the Third World
A
completely free market would exploit the most disadvantaged. As regards
financial help, we should be seeking to make people self-reliant. We are
not meeting targets and should put pressure on MPs. Britain is the fourth
most successful economy and the world. Therefore we are in a position to do
more than we do. Debt should be written off. We should all educate
ourselves better with regard to the situation.
Alan
Morris
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