Dear Brethren and Friends,
It is only a few weeks since the UK general election took place, which initially resulted in a hung parliament from which the first coalition for 65 years was formed. This coalition agreement between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats inevitably necessitated a lot of horse-trading and compromise, and the new Prime Minister David Cameron said that give and take was not a sign of weakness but of a mature approach. Balancing a government that comprised two parties was obviously a tricky and difficult business, but was probably the only way round an impasse that threatened to turn into a crisis, had such an agreement not been reached. Of course, we are not suggesting that the crisis was averted for good and that not even bigger problems are awaiting us.
The Daily Mail stated the following on 15th May: “Let the Mail say at once that we join in welcoming this auspicious start to the coalition, which raises real hopes of a stable Government with the authority to tackle our nightmare deficit. But a word or two of caution. First, remember that nobody voted for the legislative programme, cobbled together by a handful of politicians, which blithely ignores manifesto commitments and is now to be imposed on us. Indeed, 10.7 million Tories voted for something very different from the wealth-redistribution measures and constitutional reforms we’re now to get. Of course, everyone recognises that compromises were inevitable if this coalition was to have a chance of survival.”
Compromise, give and take and horse-trading may be an acceptable ploy in the political world, but is not an acceptable practice for true Christians when it comes to the way of life to which we have been called. It is a vital difference that sets us apart and just one of the many reasons why we should have no involvement with politics.
In the build-up to the election, the usual issues were raised with the economy at the top of the list, together with tackling the UK’s huge budget deficit. Many other issues were also discussed, but, as always, money was the main issue—taxation, welfare benefits, interest rates, cutting costs—and the list went on and on.
I was reminded of a phrase used in Bill Clinton’s first presidential race, “It’s the economy, stupid.” Wikipedia states the following about this phrase: “‘It’s the economy, stupid’” was a phrase in American politics widely used during Bill Clinton’s successful 1992 presidential campaign against George H. W. Bush. For a time, Bush was considered unbeatable because of foreign policy developments such as the end of the Cold War and the Persian Gulf War. The phrase, coined by Clinton campaign strategist James Carville, refers to the notion that Clinton was a better choice because Bush had not adequately addressed the economy, which had recently undergone a recession.”
Is it always about the money? You would think so if you listened to the politicians. But there are far more important issues.
Morals and ethics have gone downhill at a hugely accelerated rate in the last 10-15 years in the UK. Just think about these issues: Practicing homosexuality is now allowed and even promoted. If you quote the Bible where it says that it is an “abomination” and a “perversion” (these are God’s Words), then you can be in serious trouble. Same sex couples are now allowed in the UK to “marry.” Unfortunately, the new government, following the routine as instituted by their predecessors, last month invited “Gay Pride” to a reception at 10 Downing Street. On the 11th June, Downing Street was quoted as saying that the reception was a “celebration” of the achievements of gay equality campaigners. A spokesman said: “Ahead of a summer of Prides, it will be a recognition of the importance gay people play in national life.” A new government but the same old acceptance, approval and promotion of a practice that God calls an “abomination” (see Leviticus 18:22; 20:13). Of course, this same attitude is prevalent in the United States and in many European countries—all under the “cover” of “loving” and “tolerant Christianity.” The spirit of Sodom and Gomorrah is alive and kicking today—with no knowledge of God and His ways (see Hosea 4:1-2).
The previous UK government’s deputy Prime Minister said: “Families come in all shapes and sizes. We don’t favour one way of family life over another.” (President Obama recently spoke approvingly about a family with “two fathers.”) There has been a serious assault on the family, and the Civitas think tank published a report in September of 2005 which said that parents can receive £4,000 more in handouts if they split up, and unemployed parents can be 35% better off if they split up. Married couples are penalised, financially, for staying together.
Britain leads Europe in teenage pregnancy—the government promotes safe sex rather than abstinence. Binge drinking has been allowed to escalate out of control and the opportunity for 24 hour drinking licences have been made available. Drug use and abuse has become, and is part of the fabric of society. Excessive gambling—especially by those who can least “afford” it—has been encouraged by the introduction of super casinos. Smacking children can be penalised by jail, but drug pushers can be let off with a caution.
Many, if not most schools are hot beds of behavioural disruption with bullying endemic in many areas, and drug taking by many young children. Teachers and police can be hamstrung in being able to use sensible discipline with troublemakers taking advantage of the situation. Of course, we are aware of and do not advocate in the least, police brutality and physical or even sexual abuse of children through teachers and priests—sadly, these terrible developments have also become part of our modern “Christian” societies.
Blasphemy is everywhere and is accepted as the norm in every strata of society. Words which were not allowed to be uttered in television programmes for adults are now commonplace in programmes for children. There is the continual pandering to Islam—an unbiblical practice that is contrary to the teachings and commandments of the God of your Bible.
We now have such an embedded compensation culture that many people are frightened to do anything in case they are sued. Europe is allowed to dictate so that our laws are subservient to those of Europe and where the human rights act often favours the villains rather than the victims. I could give many more examples.
There is a huge difference between fiscal and moral and ethical issues. The government, for many years now, has concentrated on the fiscal and ignored, to a great extent, the moral and ethical dimensions of our society. Edward Gibbons’ well-known set of books, “The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire,” asserts that one of the causes of the decline and fall of the Roman Empire was the dissolution of the family. Do we never learn from history? Apparently not!
I did mention in a recent editorial (in Update 444 on 28th May 2010) that “In the soon coming Kingdom, the ways of God will be practiced. And families—properly constituted Godly families—will once again be the bedrock of society. That will be a time when the disintegration of the family will be left well behind and society will benefit enormously when God imposes His rules which will be, as always, for the benefit of all of mankind.”
Will our new coalition government in the UK review the moral collapse in our society and address these important issues? Certainly, there have been comments about “our broken society,” but a meeting of minds between the politicians and true Christians is not likely to bear much fruit. When the UK deputy Prime Minister is an atheist and “not a man of faith,” he is hardly likely to influence policy with true Christian ideals.
The world has been going the wrong way for the last 6,000 years, and new Presidents and Prime Ministers, however well intentioned, will not hold back the tide of evil that is sweeping through the nations. The optimism that usually greets a new leader can very often fade rather quickly when it is realized that the problems in society are greater than their ability to solve them. This is even assuming that the political candidates did not just make idle promises to get into power, never intending to keep their word, and knowing full well that they would not. Sadly, far too often, this has been the modus operandi of many politicians. It is hardly surprising, really, when we understand that Satan, the arch-deceiver, is the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4) and the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2).
In just over two months’ time, we will be preparing to keep the annual Feast of Tabernacles, which is commanded by God (Leviticus 23:33-44). It is not an option, but a command to attend in person the daily worship services, unless we have serious health problems or other considerations that preclude us from doing so. And that is a time that gives us encouragement and hope that things will be better for all of mankind, not just for our own nation, in the not too distant future. It is a joyful time to look forward to when properly constituted government will be from the top down, with those ruling, having qualified to do so over a lifetime of testing and trials. It will be a time when the current problems, anxiety and ultimate demise of our nations will be reversed (please read our booklets “The Fall and Rise of Britain and America” and “Human Suffering—Why… And How Much Longer?”). A time when joy will be unconfined and the future will be rosy—very unlike today.
I would reword that slogan of Mr Clinton’s campaign this way: “It’s much more than the economy, stupid!” There will be so much re-education to do in the World Tomorrow when true values will be restored. Politicians of today will be a thing of the past, and government will be run righteously. By what has been happening in society, not only in more recent times but over the millennia, there will be much work to be done! And that is what God’s people are preparing for now—to be in government, but it will be a government of which our leaders today have no knowledge.
With Christian love,
Brian Gale
United Kingdom
