GETTING THINGS STRAIGHT
An advertisement about the census produced by the British Humanist Association and described by a committee of the Advertising Standards Authority as offensive because of its reference to God has been displayed on high visibility animated screens in several shopping centres. At the same time an animal rights activist has had his views on foxhunting placed on the same legal footing as religion by a judge in an employment tribunal because they were considered to amount to philosophical beliefs. And last week a ‘warlock’ who had been given a night curfew for carrying a five inch knife, has had his sentence adjusted so that he can go out at night when there is a full moon to allow him to perform his Pagan rituals.
All these things have caused Daily Mail columnist, Stephen Glover, to warn that secular values are supplanting Christian ones in our society and, in fact, being given the status of religion. Mr. Glover goes on to call on Christians to wake up and “grasp that many of their values are being challenged and replaced.” To confirm this, Theresa May, the Home Secretary, has confirmed that proposals to change the quality laws would go ahead thus allowing heterosexuals to enter into civil partnerships and gay and lesbian couples to marry in registry offices. This, of course, changes the whole definition of marriage in our society.
No-one needs to be told that the influence of Christianity in our society is declining, and the status of Christian belief is being undermined. In response to this, Christians are increasingly demanding that their rights be maintained and that they be protected from the growing discrimination that they see in society.
This raises some challenging issues for us. The problem we face is that much of our thinking is becoming muddled. We are confusing historic privileges that arose from a ‘Christianised’ culture with legal entitlements, and seeing them as being equal. The fact is, as I say quite often, that the world we live in is changing. The legal framework is different and judges are applying laws in ways that are both detrimental (Peter and Hazelmary Bull, and Owen and Eunice Johns) and supportive (several street preachers).
It is right that as citizens that we strive to change the law and to influence policy makers where laws seem to us to be biased against a faithful Christian profession. So we must support the various Christian organisations working so assiduously in this area. It is also proper that we insist on out legal rights when that is appropriate, just as Paul did at Philippi (Acts 16:37). It is also essential that we continue, and indeed increase, the use of the freedom we have to preach the Gospel publicly and to express our Biblically-based views in public discussion whenever we can. One caveat that I must make is that we must make sure we express Biblical truth accurately and not merely repeat traditional assumptions about the world that no longer apply.
One argument that we must be very careful about is that of consciences. It can easily be used improperly. How often when talking about music or Bible versions people claim conscience as the basis for their preferences. In fact what they are doing is expressing an opinion based on personal preference. Unless a song is clearly unbiblical or a translation is totally inaccurate we have to be careful about claiming that a breach of conscience is involved. The fact is that in this fallen world people will do things that offend my conscience and which I could never do. In business they will pursue dishonest means to succeed, and so I may miss out. But that is the point of conscience, it keeps me from sinning and so maintains my walk with God. It doesn’t allow me to expect special treatment, although a righteous man often finds unexpected honour because of his righteousness.
In matters of morality God’s law is absolute and final. All men are answerable to God for that. But do I have a ‘right’ to insist on someone obeying the Ten Commandments in public life? The law of the land may contravene those mighty principles. I may even be brought to the place where I have to say to the state, “I must obey God rather than men”. But to do that and so fulfil my duty to God I will most likely have to suffer some punishment by the law of the land. Of course, then I should, with the Apostles, “rejoice that I am counted worthy to suffer disgrace for the Name.”
What I am seeking to draw your attention to is this simple issue that in a changing world such as we live in we must expect adverse trends and laws. We may deplore that – and we should. We may speak out against – and we should, provided we use careful arguments and not special pleading (wanting the past and our privileges to come back). We may show that the values being adopted are eventually detrimental and corrosive to our society – and we should do that as loudly and earnestly as we can. But let us live in the real world, and let us conduct ourselves as Christians ought to. Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble”, so don’t let us wish for something different.
Has God allowed these things to wake us up? Has He sent these increasingly difficult times to rebuke us for our slothfulness and lack of zeal? Has he sent them to separate the true from the false? Has He granted such times so that we may express the glories of the Gospel in a more powerful and clear manner, separated from the baggage of cultural assumptions? Has He caused these things to come upon us so that we give ourselves to prayer? I’m sure a case could be made out for each and all of these explanations. The one thing He does not do is send circumstances to His people so that they can grumble and complain and feel hard done by.
Let us then face the reality that the issues raised at the beginning bring before us. Let us preach the Gospel more urgently than ever to such a dying society. Let us testify against sinful values with compassion for those who suffer because of them. Let us lobby our MP’s for changes in the law. And above all else let us pray. Oh that the church of Jesus Christ would really pray!