The law

I was listening to radio five live on the way to work this morning and heard Harriet Harman defending the recent decision to not allow a Christian couple to foster due to their views on homosexuality.

I am not making any particular comment on that case here, but my ears pricked up when I heard the esteemed politician declare

"In this country the law overules the scriptures", or words to that effect.

My reply is fairly simple.

"No it doesn't."

The end.

At last, a government!

1 Timothy 2

¹I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— ²for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. ³This is good, and pleases God our Savior, ⁴who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

Aside from party politics. Aside from local results. Aside from personalities. Aside from the media. Aside from our own persuasions. Aside from deals and power brokering.

I have heard plenty of gossip and waffle in the news over the last few days.

It is time to pray.

Vote!

Whatever you do tomorrow, vote.

All over the world people have died that others may have this priviledge.

Others would be willing to die today to get the priviledge in their nation.

I am voting for a local candidate.

I do not see enough differences between national policies, or national personalities to make the decision based on them. I cannot sort the wheat from the chaff in all of them.

So I am voting for the person I think is best placed to represent me, and my area, in Westminster.

Whatever methodology you use to get that box ticked, I do not believe it to be just our right, I think it is our duty.

Who to vote for

I find it amazing how much the American Church scene appears so politicised whereas in the UK you barely know how anyone votes.

There are Christian representatives in all the major parties and it certainly does not feel like any party has either the "Christian" vote, nor even any "denominational" vote.

Nor is gun control on the agenda.

Even on the so called "moral issues" I get a bit fed up because although I agree embryology and abortion are moral issues I don't feel that trade justice is any less of one. Kids in Africa die of starvation because of trade policies. Policies we know have that effect and yet keep because we profit. Is that not bordering on institutional infanticide? It is willing, knowing, and causes death. How is that any less moral?

I am actually pleased that there is not the same herd effect in the UK, as undoubtedly I would feel disenfranchised by it. Questions like "How can you be a Christian and support party X" wind me up, with the exception of the one whose leader lives near Welshpool of course.

But anyway, how shall I vote? Well, Andy put me onto a useful tool where you can vote for policies.

I was hoping for some deep yearning for a genuine sense of political affiliation to finally be fulfilled. I was wrong.

My policies worked out a baffling 22.2% Labour, 22.2% Liberal Democrat, 22.2% Conservative, 22.2% UK Independence party and 11.2% Green.

I guess that makes me well balanced, and definitely a "floating voter", even though I have only ever voted for one party.

On April 29th there are some hustings at a local church which I want to go to, and I think that will help.

What are you doing to prepare to exercise your democratic freedom? Or maybe even your democratic duty?

The Moral Compass

I hear people describing the Church as a "moral compass" in our society.

Is that really the case?

For me the recent furore surrounding the appointment of an openly gay minister in the Church of Scotland showed one thing loud and clear.

This is not a point about whether the guy should be a minister or not, at all. That is a seperate discussion. But reading the article I was concerned by the following quote.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission Scotland said it was "delighted" with the result. Spokeswoman Alyson Thomson, said: "The Church of Scotland General Assembly has tonight set out a clear stall - it is a modern church for a modern Scotland.

"The commission is delighted that the church has, as Scott Rennie requested, taken an honest look at itself over the issue of sexuality and decided that the values of fairness, equality, dignity and respect are of more worth than those of ignorance and intolerance. "We are certain that this decision will be welcomed by the majority of Scots and certainly the majority of Queen's Cross parish in Aberdeen who overwhelmingly demonstrated their support for Mr Rennie."

It is interesting that they were called in to pronounce their "blessing" on events. Am I right in thinking that the "moral compass" in this article is an unelected secular government-appointed QUANGO?

Is the traditional evangelical position regarding practicing homosexuality now officially "ignorant and intolerant" in the eyes of government?

BNP Membership list stolen...

Someone has published the British National Party membership list and published it on the internet.

The full story is here.

As the various blogs go into overload debating this issue, most are rightly pointing out how terrible it is that personal details have been leaked like this. That is correct. Whoever has done it will be in considerable trouble.

But what troubled me specifically, is the revelation that five vicars (or retired vicars) are party members. These may not be the only church leaders on the list, but they are the most obvious.

That means five people in leadership positions in the UK are members of a party whose policies nestle in a right wing totalitarian timewarp.

That is the real shame of this news story. So much for caring for the alien amongst us. So much for visiting the captives in prison. So much for love.

Many of the people whose names have been published will be concerned about the response. This story has a way to run.

I also wonder what surprises would be thrown up by a list of other organisations such as the freemasons being made public?