Reflections on Politics and Religion

Faith and religion is as important today in politics and policy making as it has been in previous years and centuries. In a previous time, William Wilberforce with aid of his religious conviction ended the slave trade after years of fighting against his own government and the opposition. More recently, Tony Blair has been influenced greatly by his faith when making policy decisions, as are a number of MPs in parliament today.

Most faiths have a golden pathway through the centre instructing their followers to help and show a love of others, both in the immediate community and in the wider world.

The Torah instructs its believers to “love thy neighbour as yourself”, Hindus believe that “the sum of duty is not to do unto others what would cause pain if doe unto you”, and the Prophet Muhammad said, “that which you want for yourself, seek for mankind”.

All of these things have a remarkable similarity to each other; they also create a similar conviction in people of faith to make a real difference in the world. In the same way to religious extremists causing hate and occasionally violence because of what they believe, people of faith can be just as extreme in their aspirations to change the world for the better.

More specifically to the Labour Party; now we are in opposition it is our role to hold the government to account on behalf of the people. As we achieve this and as we write our own policies and counter-policies, it is important that we think of people of religion and listen to the people of faith. It is with a similar conviction of those of faith to change the world for the better that will get the Labour Party both back into government and into a more credible standing with communities.

 

Policing

Almost a week ago, George Osborne and the coalition announced the cuts they have been planning.

Parts of these cuts have been on my mind more than others.

Some, dare I say, are quite fair and reasonable, others are, well … less so.

Ed Miliband and other members of the governments opposition have openly admitted that cuts would have been needed regardless as to which political party was in power. However, cuts so deep and fast are both unnecessary and potentially very dangerous to the economy.

On this particular blog I am going to focus on policing.

The Home Office is cutting police funding by 20% over 2 years. This according to police federation estimates could mean these cuts on this scale to the following regional services:

Lancashire               600 fewer officers over four years

West Midlands               1 000 officers to go as part of cost savings totalling £140

Kent               500 officers to be cut over four years

Hampshire               120 officers to go per annum over four years through natural wastage

 

With such drastic cuts happening to the police services, it makes me think.

With such staffing reductions and other potential reductions and restrictions will the police force be able to sustain its self at its current performance levels?

So I ask this, can we all be in this together if crime rates soar as they have potential to do so?

Are we all in this together?

Or is this just another empty coalition sound bite?

A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle

‘A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.’

I am sharing this with you because this is one of my favourite quotes. Every time I start up my computer I see this quote, and every time it leads me down a different thought process.

When a candle lights another candle, not only does it cost the first candle nothing;

1. it has the potential to make a dark room just that little bit brighter.

2. It also enables the second candle to light other candles.

3. One candle, one flame can set a forest fire.

A single flame has so much potential. The reason that I like this quote so much though is because, every single person also has so much potential, and from one passionate person or one idea so much can happen…

Justice or Mercy?

For those who know me, I think there would be a wide agreement that I am passionate about Social Justice and Social Action.

I am a member of the Salvation Army and am also involved in local politics, and some thing that really makes me kick into action is the idea that I can help someone at a disadvantage.

My thought process recently however has made me think about the way things are in life. If someone wrongs you or your friends or family at what point do you stop being merciful and start to seek justice?

Is it possible to be both Merciful and Just?

hypothetically (this is very unlikely to actually happen);

If say a person was to steal your car and then feel guilty about it and return it a few days later.

Would you call the police and say I have the car back there is nothing wrong with it and I don’t want to press any charges (mercy), or do you decide that the person who stole the car, stole your car and doesn’t deserve anything other than to be sent to prison or fined (justice)?

some of you from the situation above would choose the mercy option, but then would you show mercy the second time if same person stole your car again? or the third? or even the tenth?

Justice or Mercy?

I think it could just be one of those things that can never be truly answered in action or even in ideal. Maybe the more philosophical among you would like to give it a shot at thinking it over.

P.S. For those of you that are Christians is our God a God of Justice? or a God of Mercy?