Aspirations and Actions

Wednesday September 10 2014

David Bradwell, Scottish Churches Parliamentary Officer, asks how Christians can play their part in shaping the Scotland we want – whatever the result of next week’s referendum.

Christians, in the context of the referendum debate, have a serious question to ask themselves: how can they break down the barriers which divide, and what are we doing to build bridges which lead us into ways in which we can walk together?

When it comes to political opinion we know that Christians can validly hold different views, but overarching all of this is our unity in Christ, our priority for the poor and our partiality to the vulnerable.

And so, here is our challenge: How do we link Gospel values to political discourse? What relevance do pious messages about Jesus have to do with the upfront reality of politics today?

One of the ways which we have tried to make this connection is through our series of community consultation events, themed around ‘Imagining Scotland’s Future’. In February we published the results and conclusions of 32 events held across Scotland in 2013.

This activated the voice and opinion of the local churches, looking not at whether or not to vote ‘Yes’ or ‘No’, but rather what are the values, aspirations and actions which we would collectively wish to see for our society, regardless of the outcome.

We found that support for public services, better governance and a more respected role for the Church went alongside environmental protection, nuclear disarmament and a desire to see communities which encourage and support individuals.

Eradicating poverty and reducing inequality remain at the forefront of the Church’s agenda, not merely as political slogans but as a deeply theological argument about the equal worth of every human being, which when fully alive, reflect the glory of God.

One of the positive developments that I have encountered has been a serious engagement from so many different people and diverse groups in wanting to know and talk more about politics and what this decision will mean for them and their future. It remains to be seen, of course, how much of this civic participation will continue beyond September 2014.

But before we get there – to a society where everyone is clued up on politics and can reverse the longstanding trend of voter apathy and decreasing turnout – we have to get through September 18 and the aftermath.

Some people have warmly welcomed the Moderator’s initiative for a service of worship and reconciliation following the result; others have found even this to be a bone of contention, asking whether the word ‘reconciliation’ simply invites comparisons with post-Apartheid South Africa or post-genocide Rwanda, and runs the risk of puffing up our own self-importance or demeaning the suffering of those who have suffered much worse discord.

We are very free to share our views; to criticise and carp, to throw verbal stones at the other side; whether from pulpit, letter or even an article in Life and Work. But at the heart of the call for respectful dialogue there surely has to be concern for the feelings of others, that we engage with sensitivity and offer thoughtful advice.

And when we do respectful dialogue, we respect not only those with whom we are talking. We must remember God in all of this, and the Gospel bias to the poor. How we love our neighbours rather than putting ourselves first remains the greatest challenge, as well as the simplest message that we can give.

The full version of this article, along with contributions from the 'Yes' and 'No' camps, appears in September's Life and Work. Subscribe.