Christian vote could swing General Election

Christian vote could swing General Election
The results of the next General Election could be determined by which party can appeal best to Christians, theology think-tank Theos has claimed. Current forecasts suggest ‘We’re in hung parliament territory,’ Theos director, Paul Woolley, said. And while a Theos survey showed that support for Conservatives had risen from 21 to 34 per cent since 2005, among Christians it has only crept up from 38 to 40 per cent. The survey revealed Christians almost evenly split with 21 per cent thinking the Conservatives have been most sympathetic to them and 20 per cent feeling this about Labour. ‘Labour is in a position where it could benefit from reaching out especially to Christians,’ Mr Woolley said. Christian attendance at the ballot box is usually strong – with 48 per cent saying they are ‘absolutely certain’ to vote. And 81 per cent of 18- to 24-year-old Christians told an Evangelical Alliance survey they would be making use of their first vote.

Sources: Church of England Newspaper (26/2); Church Times (26/2)

Churches Concerned as BNP makes Election Gains

Churches’ steadfast message: God loves all, racism is a ‘sin’

Disappointment and concern have been expressed by Christians following gains made by the British National Party (BNP) in last week’s European Parliament Elections.

In elections held last Thursday, the BNP won two seats in the European Parliament and three seats in local councils around the UK.

Rachel Lampard, Public Issues Policy Adviser for the Methodist Church, said, “The limited success of the BNP does not change our steadfast message: God loves all. Racism is a sin. The campaigning work of the churches and other grass-roots organisations has helped to highlight the need for people to vote positively, especially at a time when public confidence in politics has been shaken.”

Many commentators predicted success for the BNP due to low voter turnout and the political scandals of recent weeks. However, the gains were nowhere near as great as the BNP themselves predicted.

Revd Graham Sparkes, Head of Faith and Unity for the Baptist Union of Great Britain, added; “It’s deeply disappointing that we now have a racist party representing Britain in Europe for the next five years and it is vital that our remaining UK representatives dedicate themselves to promote the common good.”

Secretary for Church and Society for the United Reformed Church, Frank Kantor, said; “We must never become comfortable with the BNP using their position to promote their racist policies. We will continue to counter their messages of hatred and fear.”

Churches urged to take action ahead of European elections

Election pack highlights BNP threat

On 4 June 2009 every adult in the UK will have the opportunity to vote in the European Parliament Elections. There will also be some English County Council elections.

A briefing from the Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church explains the importance of citizenship and participating in democratic processes.

A new toolkit has also been produced by the three churches to help equip and affirm local church leaders to take action to counter far-right and racist politics.

Methodist President Revd Stephen Poxon said, “Voting isn’t just a right - it is a privilege that carries great responsibility. A high turnout at the ballot box is good for democracy and society and will make it harder for extremist parties to succeed.”

“The European Union directly influences many aspects of our lives,” added Revd John Marsh, Moderator of the General Assembly of the United Reformed Church, “The European Parliament is the only EU body elected by its citizens, and it is a powerful and important legislature for all 27 member countries.”

The briefing and toolkit are available online at www.jointpublicissues.org.uk/jpitpolitics.

Revd Jonathan Edwards, General Secretary of the Baptist Union of Great Britain, said, “The toolkit for local church leaders is designed to help equip ministers and lay people alike with ideas and information about what they can do to counter racist politics. The appropriation of Christian language and imagery by the BNP is deeply offensive – we need churches across Britain to live out a faith that is open and inclusive, rooted in a commitment to love our neighbours as we love ourselves.”

Source: Methodist News Service 20/04/2009

Pray! Pray! Pray! Today - but also until freedom reigns again!

Zimbabwe church leaders warn of genocideJoanna Sugden and agencies
Violence in Zimbabwe will reach full-scale genocide if the international community doesn’t intervene, church leaders in the beleaguered country warned today.

In a joint statement, Catholic, Anglican and Evangelical church leaders warned that violence following the elections last month would turn to genocide of the same magnitude experienced in Rwanda if the world failed to act.

“We warn that if nothing is done to help the people of Zimbabwe from their predicament, we shall soon be witnessing genocide similar to that experienced in Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi and other hot spots in Africa and elsewhere,” the statement said.

“Organised violence perpetrated against individuals, families and communities who are accused of campaigning or voting for the ‘wrong’ political party... has been unleashed throughout the country”.

A recount of votes cast in elections on March 29 is under way, after President Robert Mugabe’s ruling Zanu (PF) party lodged legal objections in an apparent attempt to cling to power. The opposition party Movement for Democratic Change says that pro-Mugabe militias have killed 10 of its members and injured hundreds more since the elections. Zanu (PF) strongly deny the claims against them.

The church leaders’ statement made a direct appeal for the international community to come to Zimbabwe’s aid. “We appeal to the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Union and the United Nations to work towards arresting the deteriorating political and security situation in Zimbabwe,” they said.

The statement, which was signed by the Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference and the Zimbabwe Council of Churches, called for an end to voter intimidation. It also said there was “widespread famine” in Zimbabwe’s countryside because basic goods were unavailable or too expensive. No medicines were available to treat people injured in the post-election violence they said.

In a separate statement the leaders of the Methodist and United Reformed churches in Zimbabwe condemned the “campaign of violence and intimidation” being waged by the ruling party against Zimbabweans.

Source: The Times (22/4)

Churches urge people to vote wisely on May 1st

17 April, 2008

Three Christian denominations are urging voters to take a stand against racist and extreme political parties as election day for local councils in England and Wales draws near.

1 May 2008 is election day for many local councils as well as for the Mayor of London and the Greater London Assembly. A new briefing from the Methodist Church, United Reformed Church and Baptist Union of Great Britain encourages people to use their vote wisely.

Simon Loveitt, Convenor of the Church and Society Committee for the United Reformed Church, says; “Politics is not just for Westminster. Local elections are a chance to have your say about the issues affecting your community. Many are daunted by the information available, but this briefing demystifies local elections and offers a place to start making your voice heard on the issues that matter.”

“It’s very easy to criticise politicians from a distance,” adds Graham Sparkes, Head of Faith and Unity at the Baptist Union of Great Britain, “but as Christians we are called to be fully involved in politics. We need to be engaged in community life, holding politicians to account for their decisions but also taking our democratic responsibilities seriously.”

Local churches are encouraged to issue statements condemning policies and practices that are incompatible with Christian faith and to work with other community groups in taking a stand against extremist parties in their areas.

Rachel Lampard, Methodist Secretary for Parliamentary and Political Affairs, says; “Churches have urged people not to vote for candidates who promote racist policies which are completely incompatible with the Christian call to love one another. Not only should we reject racist and intolerant parties, but we should actively work to counter those who seek to stir up hatred. Using your vote is essential to ensure that extremist parties, such as the BNP, do not get elected.”

Christians in London are invited to attend a hustings event for the London Mayoral candidates which is being organised by the London Churches Group for Social Action and the Evangelical Alliance. The hustings will take place at St-Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square on 23 April from 1800-2000.

The briefing offers links to further resources and is available at www.jointpublicissues.org.uk