I am dismayed at the widespread view that there is no real cause for alarm! It seems that most people are convinced that the economy is on the up, and that the state of our society is wobbly, but not facing a calamity.
I have realized over the years that people believe what they want to believe and do what they want to do. The British people desperately want to believe that everything is going to be OK. We have got completely used to the idea that the government is the solution and that everyone is a victim of circumstance. We have stopped believing that we are each able to make a difference. While we continue to abdicate responsibility and leave the main political party machines to quibble over policies the real threat comes closer.
Two matters are pressing in on this nation, which should have ‘emergency status’: We have to rediscover our Christian Democratic roots and we must re-energise the nation with personal political passion.
I don’t mind arguing with people about the merits of Christian Democracy. I understand that is an argument that needs to be presented, and clearly most people don’t yet see this issue. I do think that we must sound a national alarm about the need to vote and get involved. If we don’t stimulate increasing voter engagement we are staring down a tunnel without a democracy at the end.
I am personally convinced that the re-awakening of awareness of Christian Democracy will lead to a return to a national re-invigoration of politics in general.
John D Manwell's Blog 
April 12, 2010 at 11:11 pm |
I do not want to vote for any party, only Jesus is the way, the truth and life. (John 14:6), also Jesus said to us, you all MUST be born again that why every party always never stop arguement cause more streesful for people who nervous broken down, angry, hurt, unforgiven etc being without realtionship with God. We must FIGHT for Jesus who wants to save sinners from go to hell, never give up to keep praying, nothing impossible for God. Amen!!!
April 13, 2010 at 7:10 pm |
the question is I think, what form should democracy take in a country that is effectively ruled from brussels under the lisbon treaty (which by GB signing was treachery according to the magna carta).
Do we need as many MP’s as we needed 100 years ago or could we manage with a quarter. Also as you know I concur with what you believe but the question is where does the party stand on issues beyond its core issues such as the economy.
Is it actually better to work from inside out like Nadine Dorries and Frank Field than to work from the outside in
April 13, 2010 at 8:39 pm |
Mark – for years I have believed that the most pragmatic and realistic route would be to ‘work from the inside out’ as you put it. I believe that in the past 5 years God has given the main political parties real opportunities to reconnect with the Christian democratic roots of our nation and they have chosen otherwise. The consequences are far more serious than many realise.
The reason I am standing for the CPA is to call the nation to attention. The numbers are such that if the Christian community vote together and make a clear indication that we will all vote for Christian candidates and Christian values, then the signal will be powerful enough to steer mainstream politics in a better direction. I think this calls for a step change – identifiable Christian Democracy candidates – supported by intentional voting by those sympathetic to the cause.
I think that the economy is an issue, but the main issue is whether we are relinquishing our national sovereignty, culture and democracy to an atheistic, humanist, secular philosophy that will prove catastrophic to our society.
I believe that we will see the truth of my argument in the months to come – and for many it will be too late. We need to sound an alarm, not support ‘business as usual’. We need a step change in our political approach, not incremental involvement by the Church. At the moment I am in a minority with this opinion – but I believe that there will be a widespread awakening in due course. I hope the awakening happens before 6th May!
April 13, 2010 at 9:36 pm |
John,
I’m intrigued by your comment that “the main issue is whether we are relinquishing our national sovereignty, culture and democracy to an atheistic, humanist, secular philosophy that will prove catastrophic to our society.” Why does a secular state entail “relinquishing” national sovereignty, culture, or democracy – surely the only means a multi-faith (and indeed, increasingly non-faith) society can function as a democracy is from a neutral standpoint? Britain is not equivocal to France which takes a more aggressive approach on anti-theism in the public sphere; and surely claiming that our culture and national sovereignty are innately linked to a christian faith risks playing into a BNP style mentality, where ‘British Identity’ no longer means something pluralist and inclusive?
Secular humanism has brought many positives, which although not necessarily antithetical to some christian positions, have hardly been pioneered by them. I’m thinking particularly for example of gay rights, but there are many others.
Regards,
Jonathan.
April 17, 2010 at 10:20 pm |
Jonathan,
I agree that, if left unchallenged, the BNP will become the only ‘champions’ of British Identity, and what a distorted, angry, and contaminated champion they make.
I think we have been carefully trained by the secular propaganda for a generation to believe the argument that you put forward, namely “…surely the only means a multi-faith (and indeed, increasingly non-faith) society can function as a democracy in from a neutral standpoint?” I suggest that this view is fundamentally flawed. In fact, I believe that the only route to effective, peaceful and tolerant society is from a basis of a faith that claims absolute truth, and yet graciously permits people to believe whatever they wish. If you watched the BBC programme with Nicky Campbell last week about Christians under pressure you would have heard him come to a similar conclusion.
Jürgen Habermas, a veteran leftist German philosopher stunned his admirers not long ago by proclaiming,
“Christianity, and nothing else, is the ultimate foundation of liberty, conscience, human rights, and democracy, the benchmarks of Western civilization. To this day, we have no other options [than Christianity]. We continue to nourish ourselves from this source. Everything else is postmodern chatter.”
My reference to sovereignty was in connection with our creeping loss of rule from Britain to the secular state of Europe.
I don’t think secular humanism has brought any positives – but rather a generation of collapse in society and bankruptcy of values and the near death of the soul of our nation.
April 14, 2010 at 7:09 pm |
Ok but unfortunately whilst fighting for the heart & soul of the nation we also have to deal with the stomach. I think this election will be a true test of what politics will be in the future as so many people I speak to feel disenfranchised by the status quo yet what we are being promised by the mainstream parties is effectively business as usual with a few bells and whistles. I believe that there is a pressure cooker building of disenchantment with government and this could result in a number of things.
Riots of the like of toxteth
A swing to the likes of the BNP
General civil disobedience, tax avoidance on a massive scale
Many people just do not know where to turn because they are so sick of liblabcon but perceive that their vote is worthless cos nothing ever changes and europe writes the rules anyway
Some
April 15, 2010 at 6:22 pm |
Jonathan I would argue that it is the governments job to leave people alone, in that I mean it is not governments place to say what I can and cannot do. I would argue that in the growth of gay rights my rights have been eroded. It is not governments place to say that i dont have a right to deny anyone service, gay or otherwise also it has no right to stop me quoting the bible even if that does offend a homosexual person. I pray that in short order the future government will be forced to know its place in society and stay there
April 17, 2010 at 9:08 am |
QUOTE ; –
(The reason I am standing for the CPA is to call the nation to attention. The numbers are such that if the Christian community vote together and make a clear indication that we will all vote for Christian candidates and Christian )
How do I vote for a Christian candidate when all that seems to be on offer in my area are not worth voting for?
Regards, Ken.
April 17, 2010 at 1:04 pm |
Ken,
I am hearing comments similar to your from all over the country. I make the following suggestions:
1. There is still time to nominate a candidate – interested people should contact the CPA or stand independantly. Nominations require 10 signatures and a 500 pound deposit. This needs to be done by Tuesday.
2. Support of candidates outside your area still has value – the outcome of the election is NOT just about the count of the vote: We need to make sure that the main parties hear the message that MANY people are not happy with the choices. The frustration people are expressing to me will give the extreme racist parties a real boost if we do not point people to an alternative.
3. Sign the Westminster Declaration and challenge the candidates in your area to do so as well.
http://www.westminster2010.org.uk/sign/
Every blessing!
John Manwell