My Politics

I've always been interested in politics and especially how being a follower of Jesus Christ affects every part of life, including how we organise society and run the country.

So what are my politics? Right or left? Well, the simple answer is that the Christian principles of love, justice, freedom, compassion, righteousness, prudence and harmony transcend and straddle party political lines. A Christian view of politics does not fit neatly into political categories of Right and Left (even if these categories still have any meaning, which many political philosophers and commentators now doubt). The political outworking of the Christian faith is not co-ordinate with the policies or political ideology underpinning any one political party in the United Kingdom today. Rather the Christian answer to society's questions covers a spectrum of political views and does not fit neatly into any traditional political categories.

It seems to me that the Christian faith supports many of what are usually considered traditional conservative principles such as the importance of the family, the right to private property, a proper limit on the rights of the state to interfere and control people's lives or to tax people unfairly, a recognition that everyone who is able to work has a responsibility to work and not rely on the work of others (which is where the money for welfare payments come from). Paul's view of the state as a servant of God with the "power of the sword" to wage war and punish wrongdoing is also a Christian doctrine that tends to resonate with traditional conservative views on defence, criminal justice, and the importance of maintaining peace, order and the rule of law. Of course, many people who would not consider themselves "conservative" would also value faith, family, freedom, patriotism, strong national defence and a just legal system.

On the other hand, the Christian faith supports elements of what are usually considered more socialist or social democratic policies including the importance of social and economic justice, fairness, dignity and compassion for all human beings, the need to prevent gross inequalities between rich and poor, which can lead to social unrest and societal breakdown, the need for us all to care for the poor, the sick, the needy and the weak, irrespective of their ability to pay, ensuring all workers have fair pay and decent working conditions, encouraging people to work together to achieve common endeavours, looking after the elderly properly, and giving every child a real opportunity to excel in life through a good all-round eduction. Any government, particularly any democratic government, is only the representative of a polis or people and so what God commands of us as individuals, he surely also requires of us acting collectively and aggregately through our governments. As we are to love and care for each other, so also we together as a country must do so to. The Bible is clear that the government's God-given task is to do good for the people in whatever ways it can legitimately do so. This does leave the question open as to how much of such work should be undertaken directly by the state and how much should merely be facilitated, encouraged or supervised perhaps by the state but delivered by private business, social enterprises, charities and other voluntary groups and societies, including the Christian church and other religious groups. And once again it should be pointed out that many people who consider themselves generally 'conservative' would also agree with all these policies towards those in need.

The Christian faith also supports a number of traditional liberal values such as equality for all races and for both sexes, the importance of the individual as well as the community or nation, of freedom of thought, expression, religion and assembly, as well as the right to make one's own moral choices, for which we are each accountable to God.

The truth is that being loyal to Christ comes before loyalty to any one political party or ideology. When it comes to voting and elections, all this makes my task as a Christian voter far from simple. There are usually policies I agree with and policies I disagree with in all the main parties. Sometimes it is a difficult choice to decide which policies matter most and sway how I vote. I am what called, in Britain anyway, a floating voter (in the US an independent).  That is why it is important to think things through, look at the range of policies, consider the local candidates, and look for divine guidance, talk to others and come to an informed choice made for the right reasons in each election at local or national level.