The Commentary

Christianity ignored?

Let’s start with a history quiz.

1. Which Christian woman brought about a revolution in nursing through her work in the Crimea? 2. Which Christian man started the Ashley Down Orphanage near Bristol? 3. Which Christian MP was instrumental in the abolition of the slave trade? 4. Which group of ‘martyrs’, transported to Australia, fought for workers’ rights and the acceptance of trade unions? 5. Whose motto was, ‘Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the places you can, at all times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you ever can’?

The answers in order are: Florence Nightingale (1820-1910); George Muller (1805-1898); William Wilberforce (1759-1833); the Tolpuddle martyrs (whose letters are very moving. I remember at least one quoting Romans 8.28 expressing Christian faith) and John Wesley (1703-1791).

The church has not been perfect — it is made up of sinners. But Christian faith has brought untold benefit to this country — our quiz only scratches the surface. But perversely, for many years now, we have seen the denigration of biblical faith and Christian values by media personalities and politicians. They feel able to at best ignore and at worst despise the achievements of Christian heroes and heroines of the past, as if they themselves were such great human beings.

Cox and Cameron

One of the latest manifestations of this tendency came with the BBC hierarchy suggesting to its presenters that they abandon the accepted method of dating anchored to Christ in terms of BC and AD. Preferred was BCE and CE, referring to the ‘Common Era’ — whatever that means.

In October it was reported that at least half of local authorities were considering scrapping subsidies to enable pupils to travel to church schools.

Sadly, we may see yet more erosion of our Christian heritage from the Coalition Government. Baroness Cox’s bill, seeking to ensure that English law be upheld in this country whenever it conflicts with shari’a law, is due to have its second reading soon, maybe in November. Sources have indicated to EN that David Cameron is likely to kill it. The scenario seems to be that ‘interested parties’ will bale out the EU from its financial crisis so long as we do not offend Islamic sensitivities and are prepared to give prominence to shari’a.

Equal cultures?

Political correctness insists that all cultures are equal. But, however uncomfortable secular humanism may find it, this is demonstrably not the case.

Why do so many people in the world want to migrate to the West? Why is there so little movement in the opposite direction? The answer, of course, is that the West has been both prosperous and free. But the foundations of Western democracy which produced these things are found in Christian faith and a biblical view of the dignity of all human beings (as made in God’s image) which gave birth to the West. Many religions, cultures and worldviews undermine human dignity. Countries without a biblical heritage historically have tended to be neither prosperous nor free.

Yes, past Western imperialism cannot be defended. But the politically correct reaction to that, namely to level all cultures, is misguided. Years ago I remember talking to some very elderly Kenyan women who had been children when the first missionaries arrived. ‘You could not believe the kinds of evil things that went on before the Christians came’, they said. ‘People who say otherwise don’t know what they are talking about.’

So back to the quiz. Which Christian woman fought against under-age prostitution? Which Anglican lady was the founder of the hospice movement? ...

John Benton

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