With Olympics kicking off, and a controversial opening ceremony, some thoughts from Angela Mackenzie in a guest blog spot. What should we really be thinking about over the course of the Olympics, and how do we remember the Olympic greats like Eric Liddell
The vast majority of Scots Christians are deeply concerned about abuse, negative comments and attitudes experienced by Christian politicians in the media according to a survey by think tank Logos Scotland and more than 70% feel the Scottish Government does not support them. With faith and politics increasingly in the headlines we thought it timely to ask Christians and non Christians about how they felt in Scotland today, living and expressing their faith, and viewing politics and the news.
We need to earn the right to speak with a massive swathe of new MPs. In my 30 years of lobbying politicians one thing I have learnt is that they will listen to you more if you have proven to be a solid friend. Not someone who is only in touch when you want to complain about something, but someone who will write and say – well done, thank you.
But, when someone exits the political stage, something really interesting happens, everyone develops a grace and compassion that is rarely seen in politics. People start being nice to each other and leaving the stage with a graciousness that has been previously unseen. Gone are the jibes across the Parliamentary chamber, and now everyone is saying that they were best buds really and how much respect they actually hold for each other.
This report is not about politics, it is about policies. It does not favour one political stance over another or agree with one party or another, but instead asks those in power to think about where do we begin from? What is the lens through which you are seeing this issue? What should the founding principles of any asylum policy be?
Logos Scotland is interested in hearing your thoughts on politics, government, policy, civic engagement, and faith. This is your chance to express your opinions and contribute to the conversation. Participating in the survey is a great way to make your voice heard. http://tinyurl.com/LogosFaithSurvey
It is hard to be in this space of politics. It has its own rules and its own ways of working, it isn’t for everyone, and sometimes it is better left to the professionals. But we cannot allow those who take the lead to feel unsupported or isolated. I am sure I am not alone here in thinking about the verse Exodus 17:12 When Moses’ arms grew tired, Aaron and Hur brought a stone for him to sit on, while they stood beside him and held up his arms, holding them steady until the sun went down.
Twenty years ago this week that Alastair Campbell famously said “We don’t do God”. On 5th May 2003 Tony Blair was giving an interview to Vanity Fair when his head of communications interrupted the interview with what was probably a throw away quip but it has gone down in history as a mantra to live by for many politicians.
Twenty years on, do politicians still not do God or have times changed?
Over the last couple of days I think I have had more spontaneous conversations about faith and politics that I have ever had before. A light has been shone on the tolerant society that we claim to be, a light that has discovered that we are tolerant of everything except faith and religious views.
Freedom of expression is key in our modern society and the freedom to wear symbols of our beliefs or causes that we support is also of paramount importance. No one can own or claim a colour to be their own, the gender critical movement do not own the suffragette colours, any more than the SNP own the saltire or Conservatives own the colour blue. To suggest such a thing is nonsense, and to exclude someone from public debate because they are wearing a particular colour is quite frankly outrageous.
Jesus offers a master class in compassionate leadership, underlined by the fact that the bible continues to be one of the highest-grossing books in the world (Guinness World Records, 2021). It is not surprising then that my view is that the church’s continued survival rests partly on its [albeit often painstakingly slow] ability to innovate.
Liam McArthur Bill on Assisted Dying has been laid before the Scottish Parliament. Here Logos Scotland chair David Galloway discusses the consultation that was held.
So, echoing down through the ages, from the death and resurrection of Christ to the five stages model proposed by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross in the 1960s, right up 9/11 attacks in the early 2000s and upon the recent death of our most beloved Queen Elizabeth II, the enduring message is thus:
“Grief is the price we pay for love”
Her life was one of duty and service, but never a burden, never did she feel that her calling was a burden or heavy. She felt God’s calling on her life and to her it was a joy. How much then can we learn from this life of service, this life of duty.
It looks like we are about to embark on a turbulent time for public sector workers. Strikes on our railways over the last few weeks and months, post office workers, waste operators all striking and more ballots happening every week.
Every church and every congregation in Scotland is likely to have someone who is facing the decision on whether to withdraw their labour or cross a picket line and continue to work.
Politicians are a funny breed (I should know as I was one and know lots). You have to be a certain kind of person to put yourself willingly through selection and an election campaign. Having your face on tens of thousands of leaflets, walk miles and miles delivering them, put yourself through local husting meetings, put yourself out there on social media, make speeches to rooms of people who disagree with you, only to lose very publicly, humiliatingly, and with crowds of people cheering your defeat – I’m not selling this am I…?
Over croissants and bacon rolls participants heard a sermon referencing Psalm 23, led by Rev Isaac who is the founder and CEO of Ascension Trust and also a pioneer of Street Pastors. Many politicians were there including all the main players in what is now a leadership race, one of them has said that it was this sermon that moved him to resign and effectively put the final nail in the coffin of Boris Johnson’s Prime Ministership.
We are entering yet another time of turmoil in Scottish society, after what has been a tumultuous couple of years. Lets pray that throughout this campaign we can work together, listen to eachother, respect eachother and have a meaningful debate in a way that is honouring to God and eachother.
For over a century modern global peace and security has been governed by a system of treaties and international agreements. Events like COP26 and organisations like the G8 give nations hope that by working together we can build a better world, and combat some of the global challenges that exist. These are founded on trust. Trust that nations will stick to their agreements, and trust that a change of Government in any nation will not affect that commitment.
The question that has been in my mind though is are we getting the politicians that we deserve? When we expect little do we get little, when society is divided do we get a divisive message from our parties. Which came first the chicken or the egg?
International Women’s Day on 8 March is rightly focused on events in Ukraine this year.
So what can we do in the midst of this crisis but trust that someone is watching over us, someone is in control and put our faith in one much higher than us. The people of Ukraine are strong and faithful people. Let us Pray for their safety and that God will watch over them.
a lobbying group called Witches of Scotland, is calling on the Scottish Government to support its campaign for witches to be pardoned. But what of modern day witch hunts?
Are we measuring the pasta or the cheesiness of the pasta. One provides the sustenance but the other is the bit that we all enjoy and want more of. And a logos Blog is probably the only place today that you will get a comparison between the Scottish Budget and a plate of cheesy pasta….
Well that is my first day done as the new Chief Executive of Logos Scotland. Website is up and running, twitter and facebook all good to go. Board all contacted and some key stakeholders all emailed. Its all very exciting. There is so much to do and really looking forward to getting stuck in.
Logos Scotland is a brand new think tank in Scotland. Set up by a group of like minded Christians we want to bring a new voice to the public sphere in Scotland. We are currently developing our website so check back regularly for updates.
Scotland has secularized at an alarming rate. While many wonder how Scotland lost the faith, Christians, greater in number than a mere remnant, remain faithful. Some may predict a continuous decline in church attendance, but new evidence bolsters optimism for Christian Scots
Elaine Duncan, CEO of Scottish Bible Society Cllr Kieran Turner. Cllr James Bundy
Last week was a big week in the Scottish Parliament. Humza Yousaf delivered his first Programme for Government which sets out the proposed Bills and policies for the coming year for the SNP/Green coalition Government. We asked some of friends to tell us whet
her they think it will deliver for Scotland.